Stations in Movies

London King’s Cross Station – Harry Potter 
Of course we had to include the infamous Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station on this list!  If you visit King’s Cross looking for this magical portal to the World of Witchcraft and Wizardly, you’ll find it in plain site for all the muggles to see. You may notice, too, that an invisible witch or wizard is disappearing through the brick before you with their luggage… And like us, you may be tempted to follow!  The Hogwarts Express, which transports Harry Potter and his fellow Hogwarts students to and from school, has long been one of our favourite fictional trains– not just because it’s a true beauty, but because the snack trolly sounds absolutely divine! Chocolate frogs, anyone?!

Oakworth Station still exists just as it was in the Victorian age. Not only is it lit by gas lights both inside the station buildings and on the platform, it’s also heated by coal fires! Though not on a main railway line, the station is a popular tourist destination for fans of the The Railway Children, which was filmed there in 1970 and tells the story of three children who are seeking the truth behind their father’s disappearance whilst poking around and making friends at a local railway station. As it’s part of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway line, tourists are welcome to take a ride on the old steam train which travels up and down five miles of track and be transported to a very different time.

Featuring the 4472 Flying Scotsman and filmed on the Hertford Loop Line, this 1929 thriller tells the tale of a spurned villian out for revenge and a couple in love, who try to save the day. The film, which was the first talking picture in Britain, is known for its risky stunts and technical achievements more than for its riveting story, but as it’s only 50 minutes long, we think it’s a wonderful way to see such a classic journey and beautiful train on film!

Carnforth Station – Brief Encounter 
This tale of friendship, love and missed opportunities is an oldie but a goodie.  Filmed at Carnforth Station in 1945, the film had to be shot between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM so as not to interfere with normal train operations.  If you’d like to visit this historic station, it’s quite easy– just take a train there! Once at the station, keep an eye out for backdrops to your favourite scenes and be sure to spend some time in the Brief Encounter Refreshment Room which opened in 2003.

Nene Valley Railway – Octopussy & Goldeneye 
Whilst not a station, per se, the Nene Valley Railway is a popular location for train scenes filmed in the UK, despite the fact that the scene may not be set in the UK.  The popularity of the destination stems from the fact that it’s home to a collection of trains that is truly international.  Because the track can accommodate trains that are taller and wider than trains used on mainland lines, the Nene Valley Railway has a collection of unique sleeper cars, steam engines, and industrial cars that are sourced from Denmark, Belgium, Sweden and beyond!  Due to this diverse collection of rolling stock, the line and its trains have been featured in an array of films and television programmes including Poirot, Octopussy, and Goldeneye. Enjoy one of their fantastic journeys and who knows what iconic scenes you may recognise from the window as you roll through the beautiful Nene Valley!