HM The Queen...in a Class 365

[IanXC]

Well much as thats where the Queen has been on the network today, I'm 90% sure that the Royal Train thundered past my window in Driffield, East Yorkshire at about 9pm today... heading North.

Although it was pretty dark I'm certain it was Mk3 stock, and it was painted in a livery at least very similar to the royal livery. Also observed that about 50% of the coaches had all of their lights off, but the doubt in my mind is that I think it had a 47 on its tail...

I wonder if anyone knows anything about this!?

 

[jon0844]

I'd have laughed if the train was cancelled due to lack of staff!

(or indeed if she needed to use the toilet and walked through to the next carriage, passing a lot of people mumbling 'aint that the Queen?' really loudly)

 

[yorksrob]

Well much as thats where the Queen has been on the network today, I'm 90% sure that the Royal Train thundered past my window in Driffield, East Yorkshire at about 9pm today... heading North.

Although it was pretty dark I'm certain it was Mk3 stock, and it was painted in a livery at least very similar to the royal livery. Also observed that about 50% of the coaches had all of their lights off, but the doubt in my mind is that I think it had a 47 on its tail...

I wonder if anyone knows anything about this!?

Last I knew, the Royal Train was a mixture of Mk 2 and Mk3 stock

 

[matt]

Well much as thats where the Queen has been on the network today, I'm 90% sure that the Royal Train thundered past my window in Driffield, East Yorkshire at about 9pm today... heading North.

Although it was pretty dark I'm certain it was Mk3 stock, and it was painted in a livery at least very similar to the royal livery. Also observed that about 50% of the coaches had all of their lights off, but the doubt in my mind is that I think it had a 47 on its tail...

I wonder if anyone knows anything about this!?

If it had a 47 on the rear then it wasn't the royal train. The royal 67s are currently being used on the Northern Belle.

 

[poshbakerloo]

aww I love the queen!

 

[Helvellyn]

They are probably more in touch with the general public than a lot of politicians. The Royal Family will often drive themselves a lot of places. Yet I've heard the odd anecdotal tale of a politician who leaves the cabinet jumping in the back of a car after leaving office and taking a few minutes to realise there is no driver now!

I know elements of the press like to bang on about the costs of the Royal Family, but I seriously doubt a Presidency would be cheaper - some estimates think it would be more expensive! The Civil List has not increased in nearly twenty years - how many organisations could run on the same budget for twenty years? Buckingham Palace has not been rewired since the coronation, yet 10 and 11 Downing Street were rebuilt in the 1960s (they'd have collapsed otherwise) and both Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair oversaw further major refurbishment work whilst they were in office.

Earlier this year I was told that both the Prince of Wales and Gordon Brown travelled on South West Trains within a matter of weeks. The trip that had the lower profile and caused less disruption wasn't the one undertaken by the politician!

 

[jopsuk]

For me, it's not actually a matter of cost, politics or "being in touch with ordinary people"- it is a matter of principle. Under a republic, in theory, anyone could be president. Under a monarchy, you have to be born in the right order in the right family. Charles' only relevant qualification for being King is being the first Y sperm to reach an egg inside Elizabeth's reproductive tracts.
It matters not to me whether Lizzie is a nice old lady or not.

Also, Princess Michael of Kent is a strong a republic argument as any...

 

[merlodlliw]

For me, it's not actually a matter of cost, politics or "being in touch with ordinary people"- it is a matter of principle. Under a republic, in theory, anyone could be president. Under a monarchy, you have to be born in the right order in the right family.

The land of Iarnród Éireann is now a bankrupt republic, now lets see,ah yes
Zimbabwe & Libya are in touch with ordinary people as are a few more African
republics.

Of course jopsuk is entitled to his opinion,as am I, but politics should be
left to the ballot box, mind you a few republics don't even count them.

President Balls comes to mind.

 

[royaloak]

I think all politics is a load of ballots.
Now I am no big fan of the royal family (especially the hangers on), but I reckon Queeny brings more money into the country (via tourism) than the entire costs to the public, also things like her catching public transport (and going to the theatre) shows how "ordinary" she likes be. Respect from me

 

[Oswyntail]

For me, it's not actually a matter of cost, politics or "being in touch with ordinary people"- it is a matter of principle. Under a republic, in theory, anyone could be president.....

One huge value of a hereditary monarchy is in what it prevents other people being able to do. For instance, the armed forces swear allegiance to the Queen, not the Prime Minister, which means they cannot (in theory) be used to suppress political opposition. Similarly, the Civil Service works for her, so, despite the attempts of the last 12 years, it should not be used as a party political machine, and can provide continuity. Both of these are to be valued, and are palpably missing in republics like the USA. And, in the present case, she is a vast store of political and social experience, and advises those willing to listen (so not recently) on how to avoid reinventing the wheel.

 

[jon0844]

I can't see the harm in having a Queen (or a monarchy) and don't see how it affects us in any way - besides attracting tourism, which it still does. At the same time, I can't see what benefit we'd have from a President - who would almost certainly come from a similar privileged background, or worse.

I've known for some time just how down to earth the Queen is, and have had a few occasions where I nearly got to meet her. Sadly that has never happened, although now at least I feel there's a chance I might bump into her on my train home and can ask her if she'd like the window open or closed.

Our real problem is Government and politics in general. This is what has an impact on our daily lives, from taxation to crime and healthcare.

 

[valenta4life]

anbody got any ideas of wich 365 it was?

 

[jon0844]

£27 single - jeeper creepers

Wouldn't it be something like £27.10 or £27.20 return (cheap day return)? And was that with the senior railcard discount?

Perhaps she doesn't need one if she only travels once a year! Yet, I suspect she might actually travel a bit more often than we know.

 

[krus_aragon]

As Oswyntail suggested, the greatest advantage a monarchy is an apolitical head of state.

As for whether I support the royal family, well that depends on which nationality I'm thinking as at the time!

 

[Helvellyn]

As Oswyntail suggested, the greatest advantage a monarchy is an apolitical head of state.

Many Prime Ministers have said they valued their weekly audiences with the Queen. Not only does she have a vast amount of experience, but being apolitical means the PM can speak in confidence. It's just the two of them, and given that many of the PM's cabinet colleagues might be waiting to get to the top of the greasy pole I'd imagine there is something reassuring in being able to confide one-to-one with someone that way. The Queen does get to see Government papers after all.

The flip side to the accident of birth issue is that you don't here any complaint from the Queen. 57 years on the throne, meeting, greeting, touring. I know I couldn't do it, even if I had the luxuries that supposedly come with it!

As to the hangers-on, it seems particularly with no role. TRH Prince and Princess Michael of Kent are Royal, but aren't paid from the Civil List to do any official duties. The Dukes of Gloucester and Kent, plus Princess Alexandra however do perform official duties, and have done for decades in support of the Queen. Is it a case of now saying thanks, but can you bugger off out of Kensington Palace as one wants to open it as another Historic Royal Palace?

As to a republic? If it happened, it would be damned odd. British Mail, British Navy, British Air Force - don't quite have the same ring do they?

 

[StewieG]

Does everybody seriously think that the queen would travel on a train, using tapayers mony after the recent expenses fiasco ?

As far as I know... She doesn't actually get paid for anything really... Just like rent, and everything else?

No doubt someone will tear that to pieces

 

[jon0844]

Surely the cost of the royal family is still relatively low, and totally irrelevant compared to the money that comes in as a result of having them?

Tourism, foreign investment etc.

I do recall headlines about the cost of certain trips, but never anything like the expenses scandal of our politicians - and we weren't ever supposed to find out about that if they'd had their way.

I hate to think what would happen if we got a President. We'd probably have Simon Cowell running a TV show to elect him/her.