The Hogwarts Express was a scarlet steam engine that took students to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on the 1st September from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. The idea of a train came from Minister for Magic of the time, Ottaline Gambol, who was looking for a safer method for children to get to school, as Portkeys could make students sick and the Floo Network was not fully secure.
Much like a Muggle train, the Hogwarts Express is comprised of several carriages (including a specific one for Hogwarts Prefects and the Head Boy and Head Girl) and a range of snacks, provided by the Trolley Witch. This was where Harry met Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom for the first time, among others.
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