The next "Thomas"? *PIC*

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Feb 24, 2003 6:54 pm

BBC story on the popularity of Harry Potter toy train sets in Britain, bringing big profits for the toy train company that teetered on the verge of dissolution a few years ago.

Oddly, The movie train set, a Great Western "Hall" and red coaches, set ablaze nearly 100 acres of mountainside near Glenfinnan Viaduct this past weekend. THAT story at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/2791607.stm

BBC Hornby Hogwarts story

lner4472@bcpl.net

dave · **Posted:** Mon Feb 24, 2003 7:04 pm

Funny - just this afternoon I spotted a Harry Potter Hogwarts Express covered diary in a closeout store and grabbed it to try to push for some stock in the gift shop.

The event idea occurred to me as well. Halloween train tie-ins perhaps? Is it already being done in England?

Dave

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Feb 24, 2003 9:40 pm

> The event idea occurred to me as well.
> Halloween train tie-ins perhaps? Is it
> already being done in England?

Oddly, the custodians of the trainset actually used in the movie (which was vintage equipment adopted for the movie and presumably leased, not a train specifically assembled for and purchased by the studio/publisher, like the U.S. "Thomas" locos are) attempted to do just that with the real movie train, but was prevented by the threat of legal action. See story below from the BBC.

Hogwarts Train at Carnforth story
lner4472@bcpl.net

dave · **Posted:** Tue Feb 25, 2003 8:22 am

Interesting. Probably would require some real conversations with Warner Bros before it could be done. Can't blame them for protecting their investment, but it was the same with Thomas just 10 years ago.

Dave

John W. Coniglio · **Posted:** Tue Feb 25, 2003 7:59 pm

It looks like Jame the-red-engine has competition :)
I recall photographing Hall class locos in 1962 but they were all black and mostly working goods trains. The repaint reminds me a little of the "Flying Duchess." And the best part is a whole new generation of children will have a train that they are interested in. Hmmmm, more than one museum has red-painted coaches......

that other Chattanooga website
mail@steamvalley.com

ge13031 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 25, 2003 8:16 pm

> It looks like Jame the-red-engine has
> competition :)
> I recall photographing Hall class locos in
> 1962 but they were all black and mostly
> working goods trains. The repaint reminds me
> a little of the "Flying Duchess."
> And the best part is a whole new generation
> of children will have a train that they are
> interested in. Hmmmm, more than one museum
> has red-painted coaches......

I can't resist ... A nice shiny new name plate:

"THIS IS NOT THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS"
the lawyers would have a field day!

lamontdc@adelphia.net

John W. Coniglio · **Posted:** Wed Feb 26, 2003 9:45 pm

> I can't resist ... A nice shiny new name
> plate:

> "THIS IS NOT THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS"
> the lawyers would have a field day!

*lol* as i watch a set of name plate stencil guides come out of the printer...
and apologies to James for mis-typing his name(s)

that other Chattanooga website
mail@steamvalley.com