Funicular with a difference for Harry Potter fans

Since July 8, 2014, the Hogwarts Express – comprising two trainsets – has been running between Universal’s film studios and the nearby Universal Island of Adventure, the world’s technically most advanced leisure park. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, with its various shops, restaurants and attractions, is a real crowd-puller. Visitors can immerse themselves in the young wizard’s world of fantasy as developed by Universal’s creative team.

The Hogwarts Express created by Universal Orlando Resort in collaboration with the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group is a modern funicular in the style of the iconic steam train from the Harry Potter films, in which Harry and his friends travel from London King's Cross to Hogsmeade.

The task of engineering a faithful reproduction of the 70 m long train, comprising a steam engine, a tender and three carriages, was entrusted to CWA Constructions S.A. of Olten, Switzerland, and the coach-builder, which is part of the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group, did an excellent job. For the lightweight design, CWA’s engineers employed aluminum and glass reinforced plastics. The finished product was then subjected to a special aging process to achieve a realistic effect for a historical train. The interiors of the 42 compartments are equipped with best-in-class audio-visual entertainment systems for an exciting program of images and sound with the very best acoustics. Careful attention was also paid to optimum lighting and air-conditioning for the carriages.

With regard to the funicular ropeway engineering, the Hogwarts Express is a world first. In comparison with a conventional funicular, the design engineers had to handle a number of challenges like the very tight radii of the curves, the overall weight of the train and very high rope tension. Railway operation is fully automatic.

The Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group is proud to have mastered the challenges in creating a product that fulfills all the customer’s wishes in terms of technology and design.