The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter

[icandrawem2]

I am starting to think that Universal might have purchased an actual GWR 4900 Class 5972 Olton Hall style engine and had it restored as the picture above appears very authentic. I have searched the net looking for who created/restored this engine for Uni and cannot find anything. Did anyone else notice that the train appears to be floating in the above picture?

Here is the actual train that was used in the film:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GW...ster_Works.JPG

And here are other existing models of the train:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GWR_4900_Class

Teebin its funny you mention this...I didnt see until today that the locomotive is on site now, so I guess I am at liberty to talk about it...I am a designer for a scenic company who put in a bid for fabricating and installing this locomotive, however we were not awarded the work for whatever reason(most likely price). In my extensive research I came across what I believe is the only surviving locomotive of the 4900 Hall Class engine that isnt either already restored or is being restored and not for sale...and that was the 5952 Cogan Hall. Doing as much research as i did on these engines, I can safely say that what we see in this photo is a real Hall class locomotive, or a DARN good (and i cant emphasize that enough) replica. Just judging by some of the details i see comparing to photos of the Olton hall, its spot on. Im gonna do some more digging to see if I can find out if this is indeed the real deal...all in all, its gonna look good...and yes I believe it is just a static prop that will have the bells and whistles (literally) and steam effects every so often. A great photo op is what it will become.

[BJCool]

Teebin its funny you mention this...I didnt see until today that the locomotive is on site now, so I guess I am at liberty to talk about it...I am a designer for a scenic company who put in a bid for fabricating and installing this locomotive, however we were not awarded the work for whatever reason(most likely price). In my extensive research I came across what I believe is the only surviving locomotive of the 4900 Hall Class engine that isnt either already restored or is being restored and not for sale...and that was the 5952 Cogan Hall. Doing as much research as i did on these engines, I can safely say that what we see in this photo is a real Hall class locomotive, or a DARN good (and i cant emphasize that enough) replica. Just judging by some of the details i see comparing to photos of the Olton hall, its spot on. Im gonna do some more digging to see if I can find out if this is indeed the real deal...all in all, its gonna look good...and yes I believe it is just a static prop that will have the bells and whistles (literally) and steam effects every so often. A great photo op is what it will become.

Great stuff icandrawem2!

[1up]

Been watching progress on this like a hawk ever since it was announced in 2007. Getting married in April and would love to go on our Honeymoon to this. I really hope its open by then. If not, we are postponing our honeymoon until it is open. Heres hoping its open in early spring. :cross:

[Teebin]

Teebin its funny you mention this...I didnt see until today that the locomotive is on site now, so I guess I am at liberty to talk about it...I am a designer for a scenic company who put in a bid for fabricating and installing this locomotive, however we were not awarded the work for whatever reason(most likely price). In my extensive research I came across what I believe is the only surviving locomotive of the 4900 Hall Class engine that isnt either already restored or is being restored and not for sale...and that was the 5952 Cogan Hall. Doing as much research as i did on these engines, I can safely say that what we see in this photo is a real Hall class locomotive, or a DARN good (and i cant emphasize that enough) replica. Just judging by some of the details i see comparing to photos of the Olton hall, its spot on. Im gonna do some more digging to see if I can find out if this is indeed the real deal...all in all, its gonna look good...and yes I believe it is just a static prop that will have the bells and whistles (literally) and steam effects every so often. A great photo op is what it will become.

Well this is interesting... so, what scenic company do you work for? Ha Ha, like you could ever tell us.

But you can tell us this, were engineering plans for the train engine provided to you or would that have been up to your company to research and create. Thus if your company could have located and purchased the real deal and restore, you would have rather than building it from scratch?

I am thinking it is possible that components of the train are the real deal, wheels, those arm things attached to the wheels, whatever they could find. We know that components of the back to the future train are real. The smooth major parts of such a train are easy to recreate in steel. It is the detailed stuff that would have been expensive and thus much cheaper to purchase from a train scrap yard.

Any ideas what company(ies) got the contract, or were offered the contract for bid?

[annabannaboo]

Some pics from today. More to come later!

[Teebin]

Yay, they finally painted that snow... it was driving me nuts, however, one can still denote the prefabbed panels that are the shingles above the snow. You can actually track the panel back and see where it repeats.

While the change in the rock-work at the waters edge of the terrace might seem slight to some, it is very different. It is that of a higher culture... keeping the lines even, row by row.. whereas the old was never ending jabble that fit the early tudor style of the LC. Question, has anyone noticed if they have lowered the level of the water in the lagoon? My estimates would be that they would have had to by as much as a foot to do this work.

In the second to the last picture, note that there is still a huge construction project yet to begin. The final buildings that will be on the left curve as you pass the Hogshead have yet to be started... meaning, if you were entering from the LC even though the picture I am talking about is from the opposite. Makes sense, build the stuff that will need severe theming on the interior first. Build the facades around the already in place bathrooms etc. last.

Finally, the last picture... I think we might have a very brief view of the greenhouse if at all. Maybe 10 feet at which point one can look up and see the castle tower above. That is the only way I can justify this great idea of a previous poster. They have held the angles sooo tight so as to limit ones view. If not a greenhouse, it will be open to the sky somehow for a brief moment here and it will be mind blowing as it will look very authentic.

[Nightshade]

The mystery box is looking quite awesome.

[cameronw99]

Whats up with the box in that hogsmeade station entrance archway. Its smackdab in the middle I just cant see it being a speaker.

[BJCool]

Whats up with the box in that hogsmeade station entrance archway. Its smackdab in the middle I just cant see it being a speaker.

Your guess is as good as mine. It COULD be that to disguise speakers, once again electronics aren't supposed to work in the Potter universe, that Universal might hide speakers behind or inside oil-lamp type fixtures that will be similar to regular lamps it's just that a speaker has been hidden by it. And the square hole may just be needed to attach something like that into place. IDK, anyone think that Universal designers would go that far?

But, you know, I could be totally wrong.

---------- Post added at 12:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:11 AM ----------

Some pics from today. More to come later!

Now I know that since the castle design was updated, we've all been referring to that right hand tower as "the clock tower." So do you think that a pendulum will actually swing like from the movies, or has Universal cheaped out and built a nonfunctional clocktower.

Also, has anyone said whether these new "stones" will be painted a brownish color like the rest of Hogsmeade or remain a silverish tone to better reflect the water?

[justinh7487]

I think speakers are the most likely. But, there are three holes like that right at the front, 2 in the arch and one over the station. Would they need that many? To do like surround sound, and/or use the one over Hogsmead Station for the whistle on the train. I thought maybe for a Hogsmead Station sign, but the holes are too deep for just a sign, unless a sign could hide the speaker. Do you think that music from the deleted scene would be to eerie to play?

IDK, but I don't see room for a pendulum. I hope the clock works. What time would it be on if it were always the same? And, would it be set to the same time zone as Florida or Britain?

Is that piece of the wall next to that box all that's going to be themed?

Probably brown to match Hogsmead, the old ones matched the other buildings around LC right?

[icandrawem2]

Well this is interesting... so, what scenic company do you work for? Ha Ha, like you could ever tell us.

But you can tell us this, were engineering plans for the train engine provided to you or would that have been up to your company to research and create. Thus if your company could have located and purchased the real deal and restore, you would have rather than building it from scratch?

I am thinking it is possible that components of the train are the real deal, wheels, those arm things attached to the wheels, whatever they could find. We know that components of the back to the future train are real. The smooth major parts of such a train are easy to recreate in steel. It is the detailed stuff that would have been expensive and thus much cheaper to purchase from a train scrap yard.

Any ideas what company(ies) got the contract, or were offered the contract for bid?

All I will say about where i work is that it is in Florida. All that was provided for bid were photos from the film locomotive and basic dimensions...It was at our discretion as to whether or not we supplied an authentic loco or a replica, or a combination of replica and authentic parts. The most cost effective option I came across was a railway building/restorer located in England build an identical (non working) replica from the original engineering specs and plans. Although like I said, through tedious research I sourced this guy in London that would have been able to negotiate the purchase of one of the 11 salvaged Hall class locomotives, have it restored, and delivered to the states to be scenically treated.

It is entirely possible as you have stated that they may have been able to either salvage the trucks, wheels, coupling rods etc or have those simple parts recreated. The parts that guests will be able to touch are probably made from 'real' materials such as cast steel...keeping in mind that the large wheels have a 6' diameter, the upper portion of the loco wont be able to be touched so it could be made from lighter, cheaper materials such as fiberglass and plastics. (I know way more than I ever wanted to know about this train believe me, but thats what i love about my job, there is always something new to figure out)

I dont know who was finally awarded the contract, I am still trying to get that info(not sure if i can share that or not)...I do know however that Lexington Design+Fab was one of the original companies bidding on this...

---------- Post added at 12:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:45 AM ----------

IDK, anyone think that Universal designers would go that far?

Without a doubt.

[Teebin]

I dont know who was finally awarded the contract, I am still trying to get that info(not sure if i can share that or not)...I do know however that Lexington Design+Fab was one of the original companies bidding on this...

Oooh... the plot thickens. They did the Harry Potter Touring exhibition...

http://www.lex-usa.com/portfolio/pro...uringexhibits#

Keep talking icandrawem2! Everything you have posted thus far is fascinating. Your knowledge of what, how, why, when will be appreciated by many of us on here... even in the abstract.

[jmercer25]

Disney isn't the only theme park company with magic

Obviously I have no idea if the engine is authentic or an exquisite replica, but I do know that the Universal Creative team has an fantastic attention to detail that they, sadly, do not receive due credit for. Has it been discussed the purpose of the ramp and archway behind the engine is? Could we be able to enter Platform 9 and 3/4, or is it just a ramp to get close to the engine and an archway to Hogsmeade? I don't think it could be restrooms, as LC has restrooms pretty near to there.

[justinh7487]

Has it been discussed the purpose of the ramp and archway behind the engine is? Could we be able to enter Platform 9 and 3/4, or is it just a ramp to get close to the engine and an archway to Hogsmeade? I don't think it could be restrooms, as LC has restrooms pretty near to there.

There are ramps on both sides of the train. I think they are there for photo ops. We can see straight through Hogsmead Station, so I'm sure we can walk through it.

[BriMan]

More pics from yesterday: