Screamscape updated with possible information about the Hogwarts Express ride that may run between the two parks at Universal Orlando Resorts: Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.

The proposed photo, seen below, coincides with strong rumours the train would tie Hogsmeade village at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (bottom) to the expansion, rumoured to be built at the site where the Jaws ride existed at Universal Studios Florida (top of photo). The expansion is strongly rumoured to be a recreation of Diagon Alley with King's Cross/Platform Nine and Three-Quarters; from the train station, the Hogwarts Express would ride on a track placed throughout Universal Orlando Resorts and to Hogsmeade station at the Wizarding World theme park.

Please, of course, note that none of this is confirmed and is strongly rumoured, so take it all with a grain of salt.

Screamscape sources came through over the weekend with some new details about the controversial Hogwarts Express train ride that would connect the back of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. From what I’ve been able to learn so far, which I was expecting to hear, the Hogwarts Express train ride should not be a true locomotive style train ride. There will be a locomotive and coal car, but purely for appearance’s sake, connected to a trio of passenger cars.

By design, there should be two separate train units which will load and depart their respective stations simultaneously, along a single section of track, that will split into two side by side rails only in the middle of the trip, allowing the two trains to slip past each other.

The trackway between the two parks will actually be elevated up in the air the entire way, which will technically place Platform 9 ¾ on the second floor of the King’s Cross station on the London side. I’m not certain, but the raised ground elevation at Islands of Adventure may allow for the depot to appear at ground level.

The elevated track system will allow for large trucks to still pass underneath along Universal’s busy back roads. I’ve also attached a graphic depicting where I believe the track and stations will be placed. As for the magic that will transpire inside the train cabins… I’ll address that at a later time.

And updated today, February 29, 2012:

According to Screamscape sources the transportation ride hardware may be provided by Doppelmayr, who recently created the Ocean Express themed funicular transportation system for Ocean Park in Hong Kong that travels through a 1.3 Kilometer long tunnel and through the use of a two train system, it can transport up to 5000 passengers an hour in each direction. Also of interest here is the fact that the inside of these trains were wired up with fake video screens pretending to be glass-ceiling panels for an undersea voyage. Sounds a little familiar?

While the Hogwarts Express wont be a Funicular going up a hill, or even through a tunnel, the company does also make a series of regular cable powered shuttles that transport riders on aerial tramways. You’ll find a few of these in Las Vegas or various airports around the world. Now, the insides of these cable cars will be an entirely different matter, and will appear more like the inside of what I believe is called a “sleeper car”. (Forgive me if I’ve used the wrong term… I’m not train person.)

The interior will feature a narrow walkway down one side of the car, with individual doors leading into the separate rooms, each furnished with a pair of face-to-face seating bench seats, with a single large window (ie: video screen) to the outside world on the far wall end. This will be your window into the Wizarding World for the duration of your journey between London and Hogsmeade.

An idea of what Screamscape described in terms of what the inside of the train will look like can be found in this screencap from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:



Again, none of this is confirmed and we will of course update on all official information related to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in both Orlando and Hollywood as they are revealed.