The Hogwarts Express

[Cougie]

You know, after all these years they're still using a steam train? Should have upgraded to a maglev.

And it's not like wizard don't keep up with technology. Trains and toilets and phonebooths didn't exist a thousand years ago.

[Run Away!!!]

Well the books not supposed to be set in 'modern modern' times.. Steam trains were still in widespread use in Britain through till the 1960's, so its not that suprising. The use of a steam train I think just gives it the right atmosphere that JK wanted.

[Scellanis]

Steam trains are prettier and given they can power it by magic why would they bother with the nasty ugly electric things muggles use because they are faster, wizards don't need electric to improve their things.

The phonebooth and the toilets have a reason for being modern things, they are set in modern muggle streets to be entrances to wizard places, they need to be looking normal and not special though I got the impression it was an old style delapidated phone box that noone would want to use and phone boxes are going out of use with mobile phones these days too.

Its plainly obviously from Arthur Weasley and others at the Quidditch World Cup in book 4 that most wizards don't keep up with muggle technology, most of them wont have a clue what any of it is. I doubt many of them know what electricity is.

[GodrictheGriffon]

You mean Ekeltricity!

[Athena Appleton]

Well the books not supposed to be set in 'modern modern' times.. Steam trains were still in widespread use in Britain through till the 1960's, so its not that suprising. The use of a steam train I think just gives it the right atmosphere that JK wanted.

The books are pretty modern.

Harry was born in 1980, making the first book begin in 1991. I don't know if it fits or not, but at some point, Harry mentions Dudley having a playstation.

A lot of the objects they used was magically-enhanced old products. If we were going modern, there would be notebooks instead of parchment, pens instead of quills, and lights instead of candles. I think the Hogwarts Express didn't technically run on steam, it was magically enhanced. If that's the case, there's no need to upgrade.

[Run Away!!!]

Thats what I meant though about not being 'modern modern.' The books start in 1991 which would be 16 years ago, and makes it 'modern' my definition of 'modern modern was supposed to be like now 2003-2007 kindof now when technology is really booming. Sorry if that wasn't clear hehe.

[Athena Appleton]

Mmmmmkay.....

Steam engines have been out of fashion for a few decades....

[firewhisky]

Following the theory that the steam train should be updated , can we now expect quidditch to be played upon enchanted dustbusters?

[*Riley*]

Good point !

Or they use pencils instead of quills !

[firemal000]

Steam trains are prettier and given they can power it by magic why would they bother with the nasty ugly electric things muggles use because they are faster, wizards don't need electric to improve their things.

The phonebooth and the toilets have a reason for being modern things, they are set in modern muggle streets to be entrances to wizard places, they need to be looking normal and not special though I got the impression it was an old style delapidated phone box that noone would want to use and phone boxes are going out of use with mobile phones these days too.

Its plainly obviously from Arthur Weasley and others at the Quidditch World Cup in book 4 that most wizards don't keep up with muggle technology, most of them wont have a clue what any of it is. I doubt many of them know what electricity is.

Well if you use a electrical train it would shut down when they get close to Hogwarts. Hermione mentioned in a History that you can't use electric thinks near Hogwarts, they get messed up.

[firemal000]

[quote="firemal000"][quote="Scellanis"]Steam trains are prettier and given they can power it by magic why would they bother with the nasty ugly electric things muggles use because they are faster, wizards don't need electric to improve their things.

The phonebooth and the toilets have a reason for being modern things, they are set in modern muggle streets to be entrances to wizard places, they need to be looking normal and not special though I got the impression it was an old style delapidated phone box that noone would want to use and phone boxes are going out of use with mobile phones these days too.

Its plainly obviously from Arthur Weasley and others at the Quidditch World Cup in book 4 that most wizards don't keep up with muggle technology, most of them wont have a clue what any of it is. I doubt many of them know what electricity is.[/quote] Well if you use a electrical train it would shut down when they get close to Hogwarts. Hermione mentioned in a History that you can't use electric thinks near Hogwarts, they get messed up.[/quote] Hogwarts a history i mean. Sorry!

[firemal000]

Following the theory that the steam train should be updated , can we now expect quidditch to be played upon enchanted dustbusters?

like playing Quidditch on a vacuum.