The Harry Potter Hall!
There’s something special about visiting a preserved railway centre, especially when there’s a freshly painted red locomotive waiting to be seen. I was joined on this trip by the person who badgered me into setting up Sharpthorne Steam, almost two years ago now! And as they are an avid Harry Potter fan it was off to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, to see 6989 Wightwick Hall, gleaming in her new crimson red livery for the upcoming Harry Potter TV series.
We arrived just after eleven, with the autumn sun beginning to break through the clouds. It was going to be a day of fighting the sun for a shot with lovely lightening, but when is it not for us photographers?! The first thing that caught my eye inside the museum was the elegant 1847 London North Western Railway (LNWR) built locomotive Cornwall, a Victorian icon with her distinctive 8ft driving wheels — a true reminder of how far locomotive design evolved in the decades that followed. It is hard to believe that Fenchurch is only 25 years younger, but looks light years ahead in what we consider a modern steam locomotive.
LNWR “Cornwall” wheel arrangement 2-2-2 originally built as a 4-2-2 in 1847, she was rebuilt in 1858 into her current configuration. On loan from the National Rail collection to Buckinghamshire Rail Centre.
Camera: iPhone 16 Pro
Settings: Focal length: 24mm, Shutter Speed: 1/950sec, Aperture f1.8 and ISO: 64
Stepping outside, we were greeted by the sight of “Janice”, a South African locomotive. To my surprise, it turned out to be 3ft 6inch gauge locomotive — quite a powerful looking beast that to be honest when I first looked at it assumed it was British standard gauge. However, a read of the information plaque revealed a very interesting history of the locomotive and her British origins. It would be great if Quainton in years to come could get a 3ft 6inch gauge line up and running to show off this very impressive locomotive. Janice was also one of the locomotives to haul the famous “Blue Train” in South Africa and had mod cons like electric lighting and self-cleaning smokeboxes. I returned several times to this locomotive over the course of the day, it is always nice to enjoy a different countries steam locomotive.
South African 25NC Class 4-8-4 No. 3405 “Janice” at Buckinghamshire Rail Centre
Camera: Nikon Zf
Settings: Focal length: 32mm, Shutter Speed: 1/250sec, Aperture f10 and ISO: 100
However, it wasn’t long before sudo-Bluebell Railway home locomotive No6989 Wightwick Hall herself started to peak our interest. Her new red livery stood out beautifully against the heritage surroundings, a fitting choice for her starring role in the wizarding world. The paint was still gleaming, and we took our first photographs at the end of the centre’s railway demonstration line, I had to introduce my guest to the virtue of me taking photographs, it is a patience game with me, I am used to waiting for hours lineside, so the half hourly services at Quainton was not difficult for me. However, we were briefly helped by a sun burst. The resulting photo was a nice lineside shot of this iconic locomotive on its home railway.
No6989 “Wightwick Hall” on the demonstration line on the Sunday of the event.
Camera: Nikon Zf
Settings: Focal length: 49mm, Shutter Speed: 1/500sec, Aperture f7.1 and ISO: 160
From there, we made our way over to Quainton Road Station, one of the site’s set pieces that looks like it’s been lifted straight from the golden age of steam. The clouds had now rolled in but it gave me a chance to photograph Wightwick Hall framed by vintage station details. With this picture I wanted to get a photograph that gave the locomotive a sense of location, up the station there was the Quainton Road station sign, with a lamp post, poster and British Railway van, it was the perfect portrait opportunity. For me, I wanted to get the first third of the picture, with the van, flower bed, station sign and lamp post in the scene, the middle third was the smokebox, headboard and number plate. With the last third with the nameplate, cab and tender. The carriage giving a sense of depth to the photo. All I had to avoid was a person walking into the shot, but fortunately, after a near miss, I got the shot I want and a cherry on the top, the rods near the top.
No6989 “Wightwick Hall” pulls into Quainton Road with the lovely red livery and Cathedrals Express headboard
Camera: Nikon Zf
Settings: Focal length: 35mm, Shutter Speed: 1/500sec, Aperture f7.1 and ISO: 250
Then it was time for our first ride of the day. As we boarded, a young Harry Potter fan on the train leaned in to the compartment and couldn’t resist calling out, “Anything from the trolley, dears?” — a perfect nod to the reason for our visit. We enjoyed two round trips up and down the line, the rhythm of the loco was very familiar having enjoyed this loco, however, the squeak that she usually made was far less audible now, a nod to all the fantastic work that the 6989 group has put into this wonderful locomotive. As ever when I ride, it was the front window for me and a time to enjoy some soot in my eyes. Afterwards, we stopped for lunch and a wander through the museum’s indoor exhibits.
I took the chance to show my guest how a steam locomotive works, using a small Peckett engine as a visual guide a compact but beautifully engineered piece of industrial history. Just as we were about to move on, I spotted an exhibt that I had researched just the night before, however, with everything happening around 6989, I had completely forgotten about, the Beattie Well Tank. Naturally, that meant another 5–10 minutes with the camera out, capturing its rugged charm from every angle. Unfortunately I haven’t seen one of these lovely (London South Western Railway (LSWR) locomotives in steam, but it would be fantastic if a Beattie Well tank was back in steam when the Adams Radial is back in steam. What a sight that would be?
On shed with Class 298 Beattie Well Tank No30585, one of three Beattie Well Tanks preserved.
Camera: iPhone 16 Pro
Settings: Focal length: 24mm, Shutter Speed: 1/35sec, Aperture f1.8 and ISO: 250
Before heading home, we rounded off the day with a trip on the miniature railway. With just the two of us on board, we chugged past playful little tableaus Shrek, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Stingray, and more, all adding to the nostalgia of the experience. I haven’t been on a miniature railway in many a year, well worth the admission price
Our final ride of the day was back on the main line, where I finally managed to convince my guest to try a bit of window hanging, it was there first time and it was the perfect way to end a great day out. I didn’t think it would go down so well, but it was enjoy by the both of us, especially the final run, a fantastic sound and now I cannot wait to see Wightwick Hall power up Bluebell metals and visit Sharpthorne once again.
The Buckinghamshire Railway Centre never disappoints, but seeing Wightwick Hall reborn in red made this visit something truly special. The volunteers were fantastic and a credit to the centre, alongside the wonderful exhibits but to keep on topic, it was a truly magical day.
Wightwick Hall will be running on October 19 at Bucks Rail Centre, so if you are in the area, I thoroughly recommend a visit.
Whilst on station, it was the perfect opportunity to get a detailed shot of Wightwick Hall's nameplate.
Camera: Nikon Zf
Settings: Focal length: 53mm, Shutter Speed: 1/100sec, Aperture f10 and ISO: 160
Well there is another blog and I hope you agree something a bit different compared to the gala scene, but as I write this last bit of text to the blog. I am planning with the Three Carroteers our locations lineside for this weekend’s New Giants of Steam celebration. I am looking forward to some more Great Western action with No6880 “Betton Grange” and No2999 “Lady of Legend”. Chat to you next time when the blog will be a GIANT one!
Thank you for reading and happy photographing this weekend.
