Practical Magic 2's Kidman and Bullock board Essex vintage train

Rail boss Robert Bentley was contacted by Hollywood producers asking if Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock could use a vintage train carriage for their new film *Practical Magic 2*. The train, a 1960s British Rail Mark 1 coach, was moved from North Weald, Essex, to Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire. Bentley described the experience as 'in awe'-inducing, chatting with Bullock about the train’s history. The Epping Ongar Railway, which preserved its stations and carriages after closing in the 1990s, became a popular filming location due to its authenticity. Producers scouted North Weald station for scenes with US actress Joey King and Bullock’s character. Other filming locations included St Mary and All Saints Church in Lambourne, a Grade I-listed 12th-century church adapted for a US setting. Essex County Council’s Essex Film Office supports productions by providing permissions and guidance. Recent films and TV shows in Essex, such as *Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery* and *Mr Bates vs The Post Office*, boosted the local economy by £3m since 2022. Council member Jeff Bray highlighted Essex’s diverse filming opportunities, from countryside to heritage sites.