Olton Hall locomotive to be displayed in NRM’s Great Hall (From York Press)

Harry Potter steam locomotive, Olton Hall, to be displayed in National Railway Museum’s Great Hall

8:01am Wednesday 21st July 2010 in News

HELEN Ashby, head of knowledge and collections at the National Railway Museum (NRM), did not know what she was letting herself in for when the NRM’s celebrity boss, seven year old director of fun Sam Pointon, requested a meeting on the museum floor.

Surrounded by 200 years of railway history, Sam, who is a huge fan of the Harry Potter films, demanded the locomotive star of the popular movies take up a starring role in the museum’s Great Hall.

Helen was soon on the phone organising for Olton Hall, the locomotive that can be seen in the Warner Bros films at the head of the Hogwart’s Express, to get to the museum in good time for the start of the school summer holidays.

The locomotive was already scheduled to make a return visit and be a star attraction at the museum’s Wizard Weekend next month.

Sam was appointed by the NRM last summer and, since his appointment, has made a number of visits to the NRM. His current assignment is to ensure the museum’s family-friendly summer holiday activities are on track.

Sam said, “I really liked seeing Olton Hall in the museum’s South Yard last year, but now I want it to be in the Great Hall where more locomotives are and where I can get up close.

“After I got a letter through the website about steam train rides I made sure we had one at the NRM this summer. I will be coming back to make sure Helen has done what I’ve told her and also to take a steam ride behind City of Truro to make sure it is fun.”

Olton Hall will be on display in the NRM’s Great Hall from tomorrow, when it will receive a makeover worthy of a movie star with a full clean by a team of volunteers.

To send Sam a suggestion for activities at the NRM, visit nrm.org.uk/directoroffun