The Epping Ongar Railway is celebrating a record-breaking start to the 2026 season, featuring a special train called “Hogwarts Express Star”.

The train was hauled by former Great Western Railway (GWR) Modified Hall Class No. 6989 Wightwick Hall, which is soon to appear in the upcoming Harry Potter HBO television series.

Many families and railway enthusiasts visited the railway over the weekend to view the iconic locomotive and to experience the magic of steam.

Wightwick Hall produced an electric atmosphere as it hauled passenger services along the heritage railway, and was undoubtedly key to making it one of the railway’s most successful opening weekends.

It will continue operating services for the next couple of weeks, until Sunday, 19th April, to give visitors plenty more opportunities to ride behind the iconic locomotive.

During the upcoming Easter holidays, the railway has planned a packed schedule of events, with an Easter Eggstavaganza: throughout the Easter weekend from Friday, 3rd to Monday, 6th April, when children can win a chocolate treat by searching for clues across the railway.

On Wednesdays 1st and 8th, and Sunday 12th April, children can join Wonderful Wizards and Fabulous Fairies for a family day out filled with fun, and are invited to come dressed as their favourite character.

For visitors travelling to the railway by train, there will be heritage bus links using classic London buses providing connections to the railway from Epping Underground and Shenfield stations.

For more information about upcoming events, timetables, and to book tickets, visit the railway’s website at www.eorailway.co.uk.

“We couldn’t have asked for a more magical start to the year. Seeing the excited faces as Wightwick Hall pulled into the station was a fantastic sight. It’s a brilliant testament to the hard work of our volunteers and the enduring appeal of steam travel.”

A spokesperson for Epping Ongar Railway