I couldn't find any record of the origins of the steam locomotive at the Universal Studios tour. It used to move and sure looks like a real loco, but does anyone know it's background?
NO, I do not mean the Harry Potter mockup on top of the hill!
This is the one I mean: https://flic.kr/p/Zejoeo
I saw it last week on the tour, placed halfway up the hill.

The caption of the image itself indicates that the 'locomotive' was built by the Universal special-effects department and was powered by 'air motors'.

If you look at other side photos, it sure doesn't look like something a studio built.

FWIW, there was a ng 2-8-0 still active in Mexico at the end of steam (1968) with the number 67. It's possible it could have traveled North of the border with a couple others for a proposed, but not completed project for a tourist line in SoCal 50 plus years ago.

It looks like some thought was put into it but there is a lot that says this is not the real deal.





Roger