photo: Wicked Movie; Courtesy of Universal Pictures/Emerald City Express
It was supposed to be just another Hollywood set piece—a train designed for a brief scene in Wicked’s journey to the Emerald City. But what the filmmakers created was far more ambitious: a 16-ton mechanical locomotive, powered by intricate gears and an aesthetic straight out of steampunk fantasy.
Bringing Wicked to the big screen in 2024 was no small feat, and one of the film’s most technically ambitious set pieces was the Emerald City Express, a fully functional, 106-foot-long mechanical train designed to transport Elphaba and Glinda to Oz’s capital. Unlike traditional locomotives, this train did not run on steam or diesel but was instead powered by an intricate system of clockwork gears, embracing the Wizard’s futuristic yet whimsical aesthetic.
Nathan Crowley, the film’s production designer, revealed that the train’s inspiration came from Louis XV-era automatons and the works of illusionist and watchmaker Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin. "I've always been fascinated by the intricate, beautiful mechanical figures—automatons—built during the reign of Louis XV," Crowley told Elle Decor. The result was a visually striking locomotive, featuring exposed gears, rotating mechanisms, and an elaborate, steampunk-like design that perfectly matched the world of Oz.
From Concept to Reality: Building a 16-Ton Set Piece
Unlike many modern film productions that rely heavily on CGI, Wicked’s director, Jon M. Chu, was adamant about using practical effects wherever possible. Speaking to The Associated Press, Chu said: "Very few filmmakers have had the opportunity to paint Oz, and I took that very seriously. We built a lot of sets—a 16-ton Emerald City train, Munchkin Land, and even Emerald City itself. You could walk around, go into stores, and look at the labels in the stores!" This surely ensured a level of realism and immersion that digital effects alone could never fully achieve.

The Emerald City Express took two days to arrive on set due to its sheer size. According to Elle Decor, the train was constructed on a field planted with barley, evoking the Americana landscapes often seen in classic films. Crowley compared its setting to Days of Heaven and Andrew Wyeth paintings, pointing out how its presence within the natural environment enhanced its cinematic impact.
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The Train’s Engineering: Steampunk Fantasy vs. Mechanical Reality
While the Emerald City Express was designed to look functional, real-life engineers were quick to point out its mechanical flaws. A discussion on Reddit’s train model forums dissected the impracticalities of its exposed gear-driven propulsion system. One user noted, "No way an engineer is going to design a huge gearbox cooled by ram air and exposed to all the dust it can get. What does it do anyway?” Others raised concerns about torque distribution, gear ratio inconsistencies, and potential material fatigue.

Another user suggested that model train builders would have an easier time replicating the design than real-world engineers: "This would work better in model form, where masses are low enough that gear teeth can be abused to death and there is a magic hand that will clean and grease the mechanisms.” Some even proposed that a LEGO version could be feasible, as lightweight materials would mitigate the mechanical strain seen in larger models.
The Train’s Promotional Tour: A Stop in Paris
Ahead of the film’s premiere, Wicked’s marketing team unveiled the Emerald City Express in Paris, creating a major promotional event in collaboration with NBC Olympics. The train was placed on tracks near the Eiffel Tower, aligning with the 2024 Summer Games, as reported by Billboard. A video shared by the Wicked Movie account on X (Twitter) showed the train moving down the tracks with the caption, "First stop on the way to Emerald City: the Paris Olympics!" Leading actress Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, even reposted a clip of the train on social media, adding a simple "Bonjour."
The Deleted Scene: What Fans Missed
Despite the train’s intricate design and real-world functionality, Wicked’s final cut barely showed it in action. The film’s theatrical release only included a brief glimpse of the train, much to the frustration of fans. However, a deleted scene, recently leaked online, revealed that Glinda and Elphaba’s journey originally had a more significant role in the film. Accordig to news.com.au, in this missing sequence, the two characters interact aboard the train, share snacks, and discuss their expectations of the Emerald City.
Fans were quick to voice their disappointment on social media, questioning why such an elaborately crafted set piece had so little screen time. "They built a whole functional train and barely used it? That’s insane," one X (Twitter) user commented. Others speculated that the scene may have been cut for pacing reasons, though many still hope it will be included in special edition releases.
The Emerald City Express may not be mechanically sound in real-world engineering terms, but its artistic ingenuity and Hollywood craftsmanship are undeniable. As debates continue over its deleted scene, model train enthusiasts and film lovers alike can appreciate the sheer effort behind this mechanical marvel of cinema.
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Source: Elle Decor; Billboard; AP; news.com.au; Reddit