4920 Dumbleton Hall

Not like it really matters, hardly any railway organisation like the DVLA to comply with.

My guess would be both will have 5972 plates, 4920 will probably get a 'fake' smokebox number and maybe one of the two original side 5972 and Hogwarts Castle plates, as both are not required a set will probably stay with 5972 - which usually ran with Olton Hall plates anyway.

 

The SK at Leavesden was used in all the HP films and most of the exterior shots had extras on board (including myself!). The basic film train was made up of ex-'Pilkington' SKs, with BSKs at either end, but was later supplemented with a couple of TSOs.

For interior shots, WB constructed an enlarged and expanded compartment and corridor (to allow for camera, lighting etc and give better filming angles), which they fitted out with spares from our stores, to replicate the real ones. When filming finished, it was re-configured for the exhibition and is placed as the second 'vehicle'.

JS

 

So, is the second 'vehicle' is not an actual carriage? In photos, it looks like only part of a carriage? Assume this is why vintage carriage database only lists the SK.

 

Correct - if I remember correctly, it's mounted on a stage.

When it was in use as a set, it was fully painted on the outside, so the characters could be seen from outside, looking out of the top-lights, but when it was moved to the exhibition, it was turned round. Most of the sets have been reconstructed to some degree to make them more visitor-friendly, although the degree to which the art department went for authenticity during the actual filming was quite extraordinary.

JS

 

I have yet to see the article as my steam beano is in the postal system however could it be that 5972 has been sold to Warner Brothers and 4920 has been purchased with some of the proceeds?

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There's no need for trickery or illusion when you're working with real magic.........

Jon

 

The Leavesden photo of 25806 on the Carriage Survey site is mine. It is set up so that visitors can walk along the corridor peering into the compartments and most compartments have film props on the seats with signage to explain which film scene they were used in. It must be the most visited SK in the world by now!

My photos of the adjacent 'vehicle' are attached below. Interesting that you say it was a mock-up as I couldn't be sure at the time if it was that or something very heavily modified. The bogie, at least, I presume is a real one!

 

Especially as preserved steam loco's don't display their TOPS numbers in the same way as modern traction - assuming she is mainline bound of cause... ;-)

Will

 

I would love to see 4920 returned to steam but I think the reality here will be a quick cosmetic job and a swap with her famous sister. After all 5972 has all the main line gear aboard and if I recall correctly had had a little reduction work done on the cylinders. A little can mean alot out there these days! 5972 has already been done to main line standard whereas 4920 will need a full restoration in effect. Either way, one of these two Halls will no doubt see the main line again. Can only be good for 4920 either way. At least she’ll be warm, dry and appreciated by several adoring fans. It’s a win, win for her.

 

I would rather have 4920 be restored in her own right than her being dressed as another Hogwarts Castle and surely the point of them selling her was for her to be restored.

 

How many current N.R. lines are gauged for Halls/ Granges/ Manors etc. ?

Bob.

 

Given that one hasn’t run since 2018 on the mainline, that would be subject to submitting a path to NR to find out.

 

Surely the main point of selling her is so that she wouldn't continue to sit out in the weather gradually returning to Barry wreck status.

 

Where was your chequebook then?

 

WCR has a lot of money.

 

Source please?

 

and lots else to spend it on at the moment I should imagine.

"Lots of money" is an incredibly relative term at the best of times, but in the middle of a covid crisis with outgoings only partly reduced and incomings slashed, I would suggest any business that doesn't have a "lot of money" will soon be out of business or have sold their soul to the bank. Even if they had £x million in the bank, how much of it is earmarked for other things?

 

How do you think he is able to maintain his large fleet? With money from running rail tours and hiring stock out.

 

They are not running many tours at the moment.

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