Pretty low mileage tho so age probably not that relevant.
I think it's been used four times since the King came to the throne. Twice in 2023 and twice this year.
I remember something 2-3 years ago suggesting Charles had been asked to use it less due to cost and because it gave an impression of excessive luxury - though I understand it is actually pretty austere inside.
“Royal Sovereign” and “Britannia” being the obvious two to use.
The royal family had an EV long before they became popular. Apparently it was withdrawn after a few incidents where pedestrians didn't hear it coming. Obviously changing one of the existing Bentleys to biodiesel is much cheaper than buying a new car outright.
It's worth remembering that the King and the Princess of Wales have both spent time out of circulation while undergoing cancer treatment.
Indeed, but the existing royal cars are by no means life-expired, so getting the most out of them has a lower total carbon footprint than building a new EV prematurelyDid we get transported back into 2005 or something? Plenty of EVs that could've been driven in the last decade.
The Mk3s are off course still safe, but in an accident wouldn't meet the standards of modern stock, and as Mk3s disappear from the national network will become more and more unique.
Before 1970, the locomtive of choice for the annual trip to Tattenham Corner for the Derby was one of the original SR "Boosters"
I seem to recall that the locomotive of choice for the Derby Day Royal Train was a Stratford based Class 31 as the SR did not have any steam heat locos. When the stock was converted to ETH the Stratford men were somewhat miffed to lose the job.
The £44K will just be the bill sent to Buckingham Palace for the trip(s), on some arcane formula agreed with HMG.
The Derby Day Royal Train was for a long time a local Southern Region operation.
It was a slightly tongue in cheek suggestion - made because the international platforms (and I think that's still a clear way of referring to them) remain under-utilised by SWR. I am afraid you are right though, so we will have a car or two at the NRM York and others dotted around the country. Hopefully none rusting gently in some dodgy theme park.
If that were a two day railtour for 400 passengers it would only need £50 per person per day to break even. Bargain!
www.bbc.co.uk
And just because of gauge either unfortunately.
Or driving, or using scheduled trains. Maybe even the odd chartered train - I imagine that when the P2 is launched it will be named by one of the royals.
To be fair, I doubt that a pair of 67s were light on fuel. Though at least they weren't supplying ETS
Good point - I've always assumed when not in use it's in 'dry store' - ie for security reasons it is in side buildings at Wolverton as opposed to in the open air - but maybe not so. Not that such storage alone would prevent corrosion but it would limit it.
I'm fairly sure it does have a shed at Wolverton but it does also stable overnight in the open air when out and about.
They should have used it much more.
Was this necessary? The Derby is run in June
Thanks - doesn't sound like it spends much time facing the severity of the elements at least, which is good, as it has not been used as often as it could have been.
But, according to the report in the i-paper, the train will be replaced by two helicopters.
I wondered if this might happen following the death of her majesty but know Charles uses and enjoys this train.