Harry Potter fans warned of deadly risk of taking selfies on Hogwarts Express track

Harry Potter fans warned of deadly risk of taking selfies on Hogwarts Express track Fans have been reported climbing fences, standing on the railway and walking along the track - Bookmark Harry Potter fans have been given a stark warning against trespassing on the train tracks at a Scottish viaduct, following a surge in visitors attempting to take selfies. The Glenfinnan Viaduct, famously depicted in the Harry Potter films as the route to Hogwarts, often draws fans eager to witness the Jacobite Steam Train – the train that transported the boy wizard and his classmates to school – make its crossing. Other trains, including ScotRail services, also travel across the 19th-century viaduct.. Authorities are now urging spectators to use designated viewing areas and remain clear of the railway lines for their safety. Neil Cook, Network Rail Scotland's route crime manager, said: “The Jacobite Steam Train's journey over Glenfinnan Viaduct is a magical sight, but it's not worth risking your life for. “Too often, we receive reports of people climbing fences, standing on the railway or walking along the track to get closer. Trains can approach from either direction, are quieter than many people expect and cannot stop quickly.” Chief Supt Lorna McEwan, of the British Transport Police, said stepping onto the tracks was “never worth the risk”. She said: “Every trespass incident not only risks serious injury or worse, but also causes major disruption for passengers and freight across the network.” Trespassing on railway property, including the tracks, viaduct and surrounding land, is a criminal offence. Those caught can be removed from the area, fined and prosecuted. Emily Bryce, operations manager for the National Trust for Scotland at Glenfinnan, said more than 600,000 people visit the site every year. She said some visitors leave marked paths in an attempt to get closer to the railway, creating both a serious safety risk and damage to the surrounding landscape. “We urge people not to do this, as the results can be deadly,” she said. VisitScotland also called on visitors to plan ahead, use designated viewpoints and stick to marked paths to help protect the historic site and its surrounding environment. Anyone who witnesses trespassing on the railway is urged to contact the British Transport Police by texting 61016, or by calling 999 in an emergency.