The Royal Train

N Gauge Bob · October 16, 2013, 04:08:01 PM

In the news again today is the fact that the Royal train has 5 to 10 years left at the most before it needs replacing and the cost is simply to prohibitive to allow a replacement.
Whether you approve or not of this vast expense annually, I do hope someone raises their head above the parapet and buys it lest it should be scrapped and lost for ever. Just think of all the regret that has taken place over historical locos and rolling stock that were not preserved.

EtchedPixels · October 16, 2013, 04:17:35 PM

I imagine that one of the tour operators will buy it and run it as an expensive holiday train for the Chinese and other tourists. Too goods a business opportunity to scrap them.

It doesn't *need* replacing, most of it is good for many many more years. It does need a refurbishment and minor things adding like water retention toilets.

Her maj can just have a priority seat or stand like everyone else.

Alan

edwin_m · October 16, 2013, 05:07:59 PM

If it's a question of preservation I'd far rather see some steps taken to preserve the trains that ordinary people travel in, which are woefully under-represented compared to locos. The number of Royal train coaches in the NRM is similar to or even more than the number of other coaches.

tutenkhamunsleeping · October 16, 2013, 05:21:10 PM

I would have thought HM would be old enough for a free bus pass by now?

Agrippa · October 16, 2013, 05:24:31 PM

Why not give HM and HRH senior railpasses then they can travel with their adoring subjects stuffing crisps and lager down their faces and dribbling inanely into their mobile phones.

Adam1701D · October 16, 2013, 06:59:44 PM

Her Majesty often travels to Sandringham on a FCC Class 365 to Kings Lynn.

I'd hate to see the end of the Royal Train - it was bad enough what our grubby little politicians did to Britannia. Why not totally rebuild the coaches from the ground up and use it was a travelling showcase of British industry? Even better, make the rebuilt coaches meet the safety specs for the Channel Tunnel...

Agrippa · October 16, 2013, 07:16:30 PM

I note your post Adam, however regarding the Britannia it had come to the end of its life and was almost obsolete
when it was first built, at least it's now preserved as a tourist attraction. As to rebuilding the Royal train as a showcase of British industry that sounds a bit unrealistic when much of the rolling stock in Britain is foreign made.

N Gauge Bob · October 16, 2013, 07:40:30 PM

Quote from: captainelectra on October 16, 2013, 06:59:44 PM
Her Majesty often travels to Sandringham on a FCC Class 365 to Kings Lynn.

I'd hate to see the end of the Royal Train - it was bad enough what our grubby little politicians did to Britannia. Why not totally rebuild the coaches from the ground up and use it was a travelling showcase of British industry? Even better, make the rebuilt coaches meet the safety specs for the Channel Tunnel...

Surplus of Royal Train overlays Adam?

EtchedPixels · October 16, 2013, 07:45:21 PM

Quote from: Agrippa on October 16, 2013, 05:24:31 PM
Why not give HM and HRH senior railpasses then they can travel with their adoring subjects stuffing crisps and lager down their faces and dribbling inanely into their mobile phones.

I have a horrible feeling her husband would be right at home $:-\$

EtchedPixels · October 16, 2013, 07:47:24 PM

Quote from: captainelectra on October 16, 2013, 06:59:44 PM
Her Majesty often travels to Sandringham on a FCC Class 365 to Kings Lynn.

I'd hate to see the end of the Royal Train - it was bad enough what our grubby little politicians did to Britannia. Why not totally rebuild the coaches from the ground up and use it was a travelling showcase of British industry? Even better, make the rebuilt coaches meet the safety specs for the Channel Tunnel...

They are basically mark 3 stock, so if anyone rebuilt them it would probably be a ToC desperate for coaches. Better they end up in a tourist train still in use, still on the network and available for all to hire instead.

Alan

Adam1701D · October 16, 2013, 07:52:04 PM

Don't knock Prince Phillip - the man is a comedy genius!

Agrippa · October 16, 2013, 08:05:00 PM

Quote from: EtchedPixels on October 16, 2013, 07:45:21 PM
I have a horrible feeling her husband would be right at home $:-\$

You may have blown your chance of a knighthood EP!

OwL · October 16, 2013, 08:05:30 PM

I don't think the Royal Train will disappear. Too many Chinese, Japanese, Arabic or American businessmen who would love the coup of getting the Royal Train to wine and dine the rich and famous on. (for a small fee of course££££

)

joe cassidy · October 16, 2013, 08:17:35 PM

Let's face it - the royal train can no longer compete with helicopters, private jets, etc. in terms of journey time. Surely it would make sense for the royal train to be used to promote the heritage rail industry. Tornado, vintage Pullman carriages.

Why not ?

Best regards,

Joe

Newportnobby · October 16, 2013, 09:48:20 PM

Quote from: Agrippa on October 16, 2013, 05:24:31 PM
Why not give HM and HRH senior railpasses then they can travel with their adoring subjects stuffing crisps and lager down their faces and dribbling inanely into their mobile phones.

If that's how the Royals act maybe the Royal Train should be kept so the general public don't have to see such manners

Having had a Father who worked in the Wolverton carriage works I would be sad to see the carriages disappear.
Apart from that, it seems to be the only time that the operators clean their locos decently