The coronation of a new king in May will bring to the public’s attention one of the more unusual trains on our network, the Royal Train, which has been transporting our monarchs around the country now for almost 200 years. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks into its history.
Despite a somewhat reluctant start the British Royal family have always been regular and enthusiastic railway travellers. The new King Charles III is known to be a fan, particularly of steam locomotives, while his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, used her private train when undertaking official tours whenever possible, enjoying the privacy that it offered.