The biggest and heaviest star of the Harry Potter films is paying the GWR a visit.

The 'star' is the dark red steam locomotive, no. 5972 Olton Hall, which appears as Hogwarts Castle, hauling the Hogwarts Express that takes Harry Potter and his young wizard companions from Kings Cross to Hogwarts School.

There are three chances to see and ride behind this film-star steam engine!

First! Olton Hall is one of the stars of the GWR's Cotswold Festival of Steam from Saturday 23^rd to Tuesday 26^th May when it will be working alongside no fewer than seven other locomotives: a fantastic display of motive power to mark the 25 years since the GWR ran its first train service. You can discover more about the Cotswold Festival of Steam by clicking here.

Second! The engine works a special service for everyone to enjoy onWednesday 27^th and Thursday 28^th May , when it will be perfectly matched with the GWR's maroon coaches. Also working will be the centenarian world-record-breaking City of Truro - which was the first engine ever recorded to reach 100mph - way back in 1904! There is a special timetable operating for these two days (not the advertised Blue Timetable). Find out about the special train services running on these two magical days on the Honeybourne Line, by clicking here.

Third! No 5972, perhaps better known as Hogwarts Castle, complete with the GWR's maroon coaches, will then work normal Red Timetable trains on Saturday and Sunday, 30^th and 31^st May . The times of these trains will appear as if by magic by clicking here!

Please note: there are no public trains running on Friday 29th May.

All change at Winchcombe for a journey into your imagination!

Wednesday and Thursday, 27^th and 28^th May

5972 Olton Hall, the locomotive that stars as Hogwarts Castle in the Harry Potter movies, is working frequent service with the GWR's matching maroon coaches between Toddington and Winchcombe, so there is plenty of opportunity for everyone to enjoy a ride into your imagination on a train pulled by this very special engine.

As a bonus, there is also a train service from Cheltenham Racecourse station (follow the AA signs) to Winchcombe where you can change trains. This service will be provided by the first engine ever to reach 100 miles per hour - way back in 1904. It is no. 3440 City of Truro which was only one year old when it achieved this amazing feat, and ensured that it was saved for the nation. The engine is owned by the National Railway Museum.

Train fares are for round trips over the whole length of the line and tickets are valid for as many trips as you like on the day of issue!

Please note that the following special timetable is in place of the Blue timetable advertised in the printed timetable. There are no through trains: on all services, change at Winchcombe.

Train times are as follows:

City of Truro

Olton Hall (which stars as Hogwarts Castle)

Yellow AA signs will direct you to Cheltenham Racecourse (note that the station is within the station grounds) and Toddington station. There is plenty of free car parking at both stations. Please note that Winchcombe station entrance and car park will be closed.

20 miles behind Olton Hall:
the engine that stars as Hogwarts Castle!

Saturday and Sunday, 30^th and 31^st May

You can ride the whole of the GWR's wonderful railway through the glorious Cotswold scenery on Saturday and Sunday, behind engine no. 5972 Olton Hall, which stars as Hogwarts Castle when it takes Harry Potter and his friends from Kings Cross station aboard the Hogwarts Express. The magnificent red engine is working the GWR's matching maroon six-coach train on the normal Red timetable service, alongside one of the GWR's other splendid steam locomotives.

The journey from Toddington takes you to Winchocombe, and then through the long, dark Greet tunnel before bursting out to some wonderful views. On the left the Cotswold hills rise all the way down to Cleeve Hill; while you can see as far as the Black Mountains in Wales in clear weather, over the Vale of Evesham to the right. The journey time is half an hour in each direction.

The train has a buffet serving light refreshments and hot and cold drinks.

There are three departures from Toddington, at 10.30, 13,00 and 15.15; and from Cheltenham Racecourse 11.15, 14.00 and 16.00.

The other train departs Toddington: 11.30; 14.14 and 16.30
From Cheltenham Racecourse 12.15; 15.00 and 17.20

Train fares are for round trips over the whole length of the line and tickets are valid for as many trips as you like on the day of issue!

Yellow AA signs will direct you to Cheltenham Racecourse (note that the station is within the station grounds) and Toddington station. There is plenty of free car parking at both stations.

Enjoy a wizard day on the GWR!