Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Royal Train
The Royal Train is the name given to the set of carriages dedicated for the use of the British Monarch, other members of the Royal Family, and their staff. Before British Rail was created in 1948, there were many 'Royal Trains', as each company would have set aside special carriages for Royal use. In contrast, although railways have often had nominated locomotives for hauling the Royal Train (with special high maintenance regimes), no locomotive has ever been permanently part of the Royal Train.
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History
Operation Since 1977
In 1977, the Royal Train was considerably changed in order to update it for use during Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee celebrations. A number of new carriages were added to the train, and old ones either refurbished or withdrawn. Since this time all Royal Train vehicles have been painted Royal Purple.
Further changes took place at the end of the 1980s, when more new carriages were added to the formation. Since these last changes, the Royal Train has been formed entirely of Mark 3 carriages, which have a maximum speed of 125mph. This is important if paths are to be found for the Royal Train on Britain's main railway lines.
Since the 1977 changes, all Royal Train carriages have been numbered in the 29xx series. They have included:
| Number | Previous Number(s) | Converted | Intended Use | Current Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2900 | - | New (1955) | Royal Family lounge, bedrooms and bathroom | Withdrawn |
| 2901 | - | New (1957) | Royal Household office, bedrooms and bathrooms | Withdrawn |
| 2902 | 499 | New (1956) | Royal Family dining car with kitchen; renumbered 1977 | Withdrawn |
| 2903 | 11001 | 1977 | HM Queen's lounge, bedroom and bathroom | In service |
| 2904 | 12001 | 1977 | HRH Duke of Edinburgh's lounge, bedroom and bathroom | In service |
| 2905 | 14105 | 1977 | Royal Household couchette, diesel generator & brake van | Returned to ordinary passenger stock, 17105 |
| 2906 | 14112 | 1977 | Royal Household couchette | To departmental service, 977969 |
| 2907 | 325 | 1977 | Royal Household dining car with kitchen | Returned to ordinary passenger stock, 325 |
| 2908 | 2013 | 1977 | Royal Household sleeper | Preserved |
| 2909 | 2500 | 1981 | Royal Household sleeper | Preserved |
| 2910 | M31209M | New (1941) | Royal Household sleeper, generator & brake van; renumbered 1983 | Scrapped (1991) |
| 2911 | LNWR 5000, M45000M | New (1920) | Special saloon; renumbered 1983 | Preserved, National Railway Museum |
| 2912 | M45006M | New (1942) | Special saloon; renumbered 1983 | Scrapped (1991) |
| 2914 | 10734 | 1985 | Royal Household sleeping car | Returned to ordinary passenger stock, 10734 |
| 2915 | 10735 | 1985 | Royal Household sleeping car | In service |
| 2916 | 40512 | 1986 | Royal Family dining car with kitchen | In service |
| 2917 | 40514 | 1986 | Royal Household dining car with kitchen | In service |
| 2918 | 40515 | 1986 | Royal Household car | Stored |
| 2919 | 40518 | 1986 | Royal Household car | Stored |
| 2920 | 14109, 17109 | 1986 | Royal Household couchette, diesel generator & brake van | In service |
| 2921 | 14107, 17107 | 1986 | Royal Household couchette, kitchen & brake van | In service |
| 2922 | - | New (1987) | HRH Prince of Wales's sleeping car | In service |
| 2923 | - | New (1987) | HRH Prince of Wales's saloon | In service |
Locomotives Nominated for the Royal Train
Locomotives nominated for working the Royal Train over the years have included:
- 1990-2004: Class 47 locomotives 47834 Fire Fly and 47835 Windsor Castle (painted in InterCity livery) and later refurbished, renumbered and renamed as 47798 Prince William and 47799 Prince Henry (painted Royal Purple). Both are now withdrawn and the former is preserved at the National Railway Museum, York.
- Since 2004: Class 67 locomotives 67005 Queen's Messenger and 67006 Royal Sovereign (painted Royal Purple).
See also
- the former Royal Yacht
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