Royal tour by train

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

This will be fantastic publicity for the railways, at a time when it is desperately needed.

Possibly, but equally it may well reignite the debate on the necessity of maintaining and running a luxury train for the use of a handful of people at colossal cost which is only used around 3 times a year?

The cost of one journey to Cheshire for the Queen in 2018 is quoted as just under ?30,000.

[ellendune]

Possibly, but equally it may well reignite the debate on the necessity of maintaining and running a luxury train for the use of a handful of people at colossal cost which is only used around 3 times a year?

The cost of one journey to Cheshire for the Queen in 2018 is quoted as just under ?30,000.

A report I read recently was that it wasn't that luxurious. 

From Twitter

The interior of the Royal Train vaguely reminds me of a mid-price conference hotel conveniently located near junction 14 of the M1.

What would have been the cost of the alternatives. It's not just the cost of the petrol is it. Police escort security staff vehicles etc. 

[rogerpatenall]

Glad to see the Royal train being used. Almost certainly greener than air or road transport.

But is their car not making the same journey from station to station, but by road?

[grahame]

I suspect that if six of us were to meet up (outside, socially distanced, in the land of tier 2), we would take six different views on royalty and the royal train.  It is, though, hard to deny that there's a substantial marketing return from such a trip - a message saying "don't forget the train".  It goes wider too - if you're a Daily Mail reader, you are invited to buy a coat like Kate's

Join the navy like Kate in a coat from Hobbs - GBP 349
 
Hobbs 'Bianca' coat - Buy it in black for GBP 269

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kicked off their royal train tour of the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) today.

It may only be day one, but Kate has already showcased three statement coats and various arm candy.

Her latest coat is a rewear from Hobbs, which she last donned in February. Crafted from navy wool, the 'Bianca' style boasts a classic double-breasted front and longline silhouette. It?s no surprise Kate chose to recycle it!

While this exact design has sold out, you can click (right) to get your hands on the black version. It is currently in the sale so we have no doubt that stock will fly.

Alternatively, shop around with the help of our edit below. We have rallied up smart outerwear by an array of brands, including Monsoon and Guinea London.

You can even complete your look with Kate?s Co sweater and Metier bag.

[broadgage]

I count myself as a "moderate Royalist". I support the Royal family, largely out of a sense of tradition. Having a Royal family that has been in existence for longer than most countries is one thing that sets us apart from dodgy banana republics.
I do not however have any interest in royal "tittle tattle" and the latest "exclusive revelations" as found in Tabloid newspapers.

I am pleased to see members of the Royal family touring the country in the Royal train. It is a boost to morale and almost certainly greener than flying or driving.

The fixed annual costs of maintaining the Royal train are indeed considerable, but it could therefore be argued that it should be used MORE, since these fixed costs are then less per mile.
Many of the variable costs are wages or salaries of the many persons required for the security and comfort of Royalty, these are not strictly railway costs as they would be required also for air or road transport.

[IndustryInsider]

The fixed annual costs of maintaining the Royal train are indeed considerable, but it could therefore be argued that it should be used MORE, since these fixed costs are then less per mile.

Yes, it's a very underutilised asset.  The fact it's Kate first official trip on it speaks volumes.  As well as encouraging more use by the Royal Family, perhaps it could be used for other VIP's?  Visiting dignitaries and the Prime Minister for suitable trips for example?

It is now starting to show its age though - the newest carriage is well over 30 years old - so I can't see another one being built unless it would be used far more.

[TonyN]

It can get in the way on today's crowded railway. I few years ago I was at New Street at 17:30 on a weekday evening when everything towards Coventry was at a stand. Found out later from a friend in New Street panel that the Royal Train was stood in the platform at Stechford. It was waiting for the Duke of Edinburgh who's car was stuck in the rush hour traffic on the way from a cricket match at Edgbaston.

[broadgage]

The fixed annual costs of maintaining the Royal train are indeed considerable, but it could therefore be argued that it should be used MORE, since these fixed costs are then less per mile.

Yes, it's a very underutilised asset.  The fact it's Kate first official trip on it speaks volumes.  As well as encouraging more use by the Royal Family, perhaps it could be used for other VIP's?  Visiting dignitaries and the Prime Minister for suitable trips for example?

It is now starting to show its age though - the newest carriage is well over 30 years old - so I can't see another one being built unless it would be used far more.

Not certain that age is such a problem, HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) are older than that and were in intensive main line use until recently, some still are.
I doubt that a complete new royal train would be needed anytime soon.
The odd new vehicle if required could be converted from existing stock.
I doubt that HM would be very keen on other people using the more private vehicles of the Royal train, It should however be possible to remove these vehicles and store them, substituting a couple of other vehicles for use by the PM or other VIPs.
The staff vehicles, storage areas, kitchen car, dining car and some others could reasonably be used, simply detach the dedicated sleepers used by Royalty.

[IndustryInsider]

I doubt that HM would be very keen on other people using the more private vehicles of the Royal train, It should however be possible to remove these vehicles and store them, substituting a couple of other vehicles for use by the PM or other VIPs.
The staff vehicles, storage areas, kitchen car, dining car and some others could reasonably be used, simply detach the dedicated sleepers used by Royalty.

Yes, that would be my thinking.  The queen's loo will remain off limits, but perhaps modify the existing carriages that are dedicated to the Prince Of Wales so that they could be used by anyone, or, as you say, convert another couple of carriages into bespoke VIP vehicles for occasions when Royalty would not be using it.

As I thought, there has been some very good press created out of the use of the train on this trip, with most national news outlets giving it detailed coverage, even if not 100% positive.  As they say, any publicity is good publicity:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9026629/Before-pictures-Royal-Train-changed-years.html
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2020/12/06/royal-train-tour-duke-duchess-cambridge-get-festive-send-off/
https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-william-and-kate-arrive-in-edinburgh-on-first-stop-of-uk-royal-train-tour-12154136
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/kate-william-sleeping-separate-beds-23131011

[bobm]

And closer to home.

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/18929445.royal-train-passes-swindon-william-kate-tour-country/

[TonyK]

One huge advantage over doing day trips by helicopter is being able to leave the three young children at home, and spend a night in an empty siding somewhere remote. That puts a smile on a Duke and Duchess's faces.

[CyclingSid]

That puts a smile on a Duke and Duchess's faces.

In some Far Eastern countries that get you a jail sentence!

[TaplowGreen]

One huge advantage over doing day trips by helicopter is being able to leave the three young children at home, and spend a night in an empty siding somewhere remote. That puts a smile on a Duke and Duchess's faces.

I shouldn't think they struggle for babysitters

[grahame]

One huge advantage over doing day trips by helicopter is being able to leave the three young children at home, and spend a night in an empty siding somewhere remote. That puts a smile on a Duke and Duchess's faces.

The "tail" of the line that used to go up to Devizes from Holt Junction has long since been removed, I'm afraid.

[Witham Bobby]

One huge advantage over doing day trips by helicopter is being able to leave the three young children at home, and spend a night in an empty siding somewhere remote. That puts a smile on a Duke and Duchess's faces.

The "tail" of the line that used to go up to Devizes from Holt Junction has long since been removed, I'm afraid.

As has the north chord at Bradford Junctions, which was sometimes used to stow the Royal Train for a night.  Used to be a great job for some poor PW^▸ (Permanent Way) chap(s) to put churns under the toilet outfalls of the train when recessed, and to make sure the churns were removed and emptied securely