Hogwarts Express
Following
a loud whistle and amid great clouds of steam, a scarlet locomotive
would pull up next to Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Train conductors would open the
gates of the waist-high railing to allow passengers to board the
train.
As the locomotive noisily and steamily pulls out of the station and rumbles along elevated tracks, lush scenery on either side would draw the eye of every passenger. On the train, wizard snacks would be sold, including chocolate frogs that come with cards of famous wizards and witches. Each card would utilise sequential images and lenticular printing to create the illusion of the personages moving into and out of the card.
Passengers would be reminded to wear their Hogwarts robes and hat. Those unable to collect their uniforms before boarding the train, would be able to pick them up at the terminus, Hogsmeade Station.
Upon arriving at the station, Hogwarts students wearing Prefect badges would organise the passengers alighting from Hogwarts Express into groups of eight or less. The groups would then be led to a cluster of empty carriages, all lacquered in black and bearing the Hogwarts coat-of-arms on their doors.
A coachman is perched on the driving seat in front of each carriage, though the coaches do not appear to be hitched to anything. When the passengers are safely within the carriage, the coachman would activate a silent motor that powers the carriage into motion. This gives the impression of the coaches being drawn by invisible steed.
Using a discreet steering device, the coachman would drive the carriage through great wrought iron gates and right to the front stone steps of Hogwarts Castle.
As the locomotive noisily and steamily pulls out of the station and rumbles along elevated tracks, lush scenery on either side would draw the eye of every passenger. On the train, wizard snacks would be sold, including chocolate frogs that come with cards of famous wizards and witches. Each card would utilise sequential images and lenticular printing to create the illusion of the personages moving into and out of the card.
Passengers would be reminded to wear their Hogwarts robes and hat. Those unable to collect their uniforms before boarding the train, would be able to pick them up at the terminus, Hogsmeade Station.
Upon arriving at the station, Hogwarts students wearing Prefect badges would organise the passengers alighting from Hogwarts Express into groups of eight or less. The groups would then be led to a cluster of empty carriages, all lacquered in black and bearing the Hogwarts coat-of-arms on their doors.
A coachman is perched on the driving seat in front of each carriage, though the coaches do not appear to be hitched to anything. When the passengers are safely within the carriage, the coachman would activate a silent motor that powers the carriage into motion. This gives the impression of the coaches being drawn by invisible steed.
Using a discreet steering device, the coachman would drive the carriage through great wrought iron gates and right to the front stone steps of Hogwarts Castle.