The Hogwarts Express

[Eric Oppen]

No: HPFGUIDX 21292

Whimpering house-elf-style apologies if this has been brought up before, but
something occured to me about something that seems to be pretty much taken
for granted in the Potterverse: the Hogwarts Express.

This would have to be a fairly major passenger train, and unlike (forex)
automobiles, trains have to be fairly coherently scheduled to avoid
accidents.  Also, they require upkeep, maintenance, and crews.  How is all
this done?  Are there wizards working "under cover" at British Rail to
ensure that the Hogwarts Express gets the tracks it needs and schedule it so
that it doesn't interfere with other train traffic?  I doubt that British
Rail operates it---apparently the food available on board is edible, which
is a clue that British Rail is nowhere near its actual operations.  My own
impressions of British Rail food were of something that H.P. Lovecraft might
have written about.

And who provides the train crews?  Are some wizards trained as engineers,
firemen and the like, or do they get "seconded" from British Rail?  Come to
it, AFAIK there are no other steam locomotives operating on regular service
in the UK---wouldn't parts and upkeep be a problem?  There'd either have to
be Muggles involved at all levels *sound of Lucius Malfoy and those who
think like him having a fit of the Vapors* or some wizards would have to get
these skills somewhere, or they'd have to use a _lot_ of Memory Charms.

Maybe one day we'll find out about this, if Herself is kind and we're very
very good.

--Eric Oppen
Gryffindor
Redwood, phoenix feather, eight-and-a-half inches