There can't be many Harry Potter fans who haven't imagined themselves riding on the Hogwarts Express to get to school. As far as the school-run goes, it certainly beats sitting in the back of the car or on a noisy school bus.
But what if the ride from London's King Cross Station Platform 9¾ and Hogsmeade Station was given a futuristic makeover? After all, the Hogwarts Express is a rather old-fashioned British locomotive which looks more in tune with the 19th century, not the 21st.
But now Harry Potter fans have been given a look at how the train could appear in a more modern age – with the help of technology.
A video created by artist Iskander Utebayev and posted on his Instagram page (@bat.not.bad) has gone viral, gaining hundreds of thousands of likes. He already has 1.3 million followers.
The video was created to coincide with the forthcoming Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts TV special, which will air on HBO Max on New Year’s Day.
The video on Instagram was accompanied by the words: "Two decades of Magic. Harry Potter 20th Anniversary. My special design of The Hogwarts Express interior / electric locomotive with panoramic view. Magicverse."
Music star Craig David was among the admirers, commenting: "You’re beyond talented bro."
The creation shows a train interior in great contrast to the usual Hogwarts Express. The seating compartments set off a corridor are replaced by an open plan carriage with huge windows allowing light to pour in.
Leather-looking chairs and sofas are accompanied by Christian Dior cushions in what appears to be a luxurious ride, with Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry growing nearer in the background.
'Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts'
The cast of the Harry Potter films are set to reunite for a one-off special to mark 20 years since the first film was released. A teaser video revealed that Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, the trio who played Harry, Ron and Hermione will return.
Other stars including Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange) and Gary Oldman (Sirius Black), will also be part of the reunion.
The event will feature in-depth interviews with key cast members as they share their favourite memories from the eight-film series.
Click through our gallery below to see the Harry Potter-inspired tour across the UK:
6 UNDERGROUND
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco
2.5 / 5 stars
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
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What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
RESULT
Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')
Brief scoreline:
Crystal Palace 2
Milivojevic 76' (pen), Van Aanholt 88'
Huddersfield Town 0
Januzaj's club record
Manchester United 50 appearances, 5 goals
Borussia Dortmund (loan) 6 appearances, 0 goals
Sunderland (loan) 25 appearances, 0 goals
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV
Power: 360bhp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh282,870
On sale: now
