Royal Train

[John B]

Who decides the choice of the individual driver for the Royal Train and is it a specific operator?

 

[Bucephalus]

Db cargo do it but I don't know how it is decided

 

[Steddenm]

Does the Royal Train show up on RTT?

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

Does the Royal Train show up on RTT?

No.

Last night’s 1Z20 from Wolverton into Euston and onto Scotland showed on Traksy maps, but the schedule is always strictly for those who need to know.

 

[SynthD]

No.

Last night’s 1Z20 from Wolverton into Euston and onto Scotland showed on Traksy maps, but the schedule is always strictly for those who need to know.

Is the schedule public by way of being tracked in the past?

 

[Heaps92]

Drivers cant even see the diagram of the selected driver its top secret no head code or anything just start and finish time

 

[pdeaves]

Drivers are selected from a group of drivers trusted to deal with their 'cargo' in an appropriate manner (i.e. not throw the train around; stop in EXACTLY the right place, etc.), according to a former Royal Train manager at an institute talk recently.

 

[Darandio]

Is the schedule public by way of being tracked in the past?

It's never followed this schedule before.

 

[RyanOPlasty]

It is mostly MK3s, does it have CETs or are the royal emissions deposited on the tracks?

 

[DB]

It is mostly MK3s, does it have CETs or are the royal emissions deposited on the tracks?

All Mk3s apart from the two brake / generator vehicles, which are Mk2.
A couple from the prototype HST, several ex-production HST catering vehicles, and the most recent were built specifically for the royal train.

So far as I'm aware it doesn't have tanks, but not absolutely certain about that.

 

[Ianno87]

Drivers are selected from a group of drivers trusted to deal with their 'cargo' in an appropriate manner (i.e. not throw the train around; stop in EXACTLY the right place, etc.), according to a former Royal Train manager at an institute talk recently.

I'd also presume they'd have to have some sort of extra security clearance / background checks?

 

[irish_rail]

Drivers are selected from a group of drivers trusted to deal with their 'cargo' in an appropriate manner (i.e. not throw the train around; stop in EXACTLY the right place, etc.), according to a former Royal Train manager at an institute talk recently.

And yet when royals travel on normal trains any old driver will be at the controls. Not quite sure how they justify the selection of "trusted" drivers. Sounds a bit vague to me. Mates of the driver management more likely.

 

[43096]

So far as I'm aware it doesn't have tanks, but not absolutely certain about that.

I would expect all the sleeping vehicles at least to have CET, as at least 2915 and 2922 were built either with or after the Mark 3 sleeper build. You'd need to see decent photos of the others to tell, as it's not the sort of gen you'd see an announcement about.

Mates of the driver management more likely.

In other words, those management can trust rather than the awkward squad that will exist at every company. Not exactly surprising, and probably how it should be.

 

[dave87016]

I have posted the stock in the thread in the Allocations section but have posted here aswell for you


67005
67006

2921
2904
2903
2923
2916
2917
2915
2920
10546

 

[Philip]

Drivers are selected from a group of drivers trusted to deal with their 'cargo' in an appropriate manner (i.e. not throw the train around; stop in EXACTLY the right place, etc.), according to a former Royal Train manager at an institute talk recently.

I'd have thought the train being thrown around depends on the quality of the track and the line speed over points and junctions? Going slower could cause delays elsewhere. The driver would be within his/her right to take junctions and any stretch of line at the normal permitted speed.

 

[Bald Rick]

I'd have thought the train being thrown around depends on the quality of the track and the line speed over points and junctions? Going slower could cause delays elsewhere. The driver would be within his/her right to take junctions and any stretch of line at the normal permitted speed.

The train is timed specially.

 

[6Gman]

And yet when royals travel on normal trains any old driver will be at the controls. Not quite sure how they justify the selection of "trusted" drivers. Sounds a bit vague to me. Mates of the driver management more likely.

It sometimes helps if you're on the LDC (Local Departmental Committee - staff-side union reps). And sometimes doesn't!

I'd have thought the train being thrown around depends on the quality of the track and the line speed over points and junctions? Going slower could cause delays elsewhere. The driver would be within his/her right to take junctions and any stretch of line at the normal permitted speed.

And if they did so it would be their last trip on the royal train. Do they still always have a Traction Inspector (or present-day equivalent) present?

 

[Ashley Hill]

At my depot in BR days we had a handful of senior guards and drivers who were rostered for royal duties when required. Most depots had such men (as it was then) and several are documented in various railway reminiscences.

 

[High Dyke]

It sometimes helps if you're on the LDC (Local Departmental Committee - staff-side union reps). And sometimes doesn't!


And if they did so it would be their last trip on the royal train. Do they still always have a Traction Inspector (or present-day equivalent) present?

Yes, as far as I'm aware. A colleague of mine was tasked to deliver the papers to the train one day, folliwing an overnight stop. He had to confirm his identity/nature of business to get near the train. He was then met by the TI, who asked further security questions before accepting the delivery of the newspapers.

 

[Geeves]

I cannot speak for the drivers side but for the station side, while the day of arrival is obviously known the exact time doesn't usually come through till the day and that can change.The station has police in attendance for at least a week (or two) before checking everything and I mean everything!

I can only presume that the train runs on a very short term plan that is flexible enough to cover every need of its passengers and that the driver will be told arrive well in advance of departure etc, plus spare drivers I would imagine.

 

[Philip]

Why do they sometimes use the Royal Train to travel but other times regular passenger services with just a coach locked off?

Prince Charles and Camilla, Kate and I think one of William or Harry have all used Virgin/Avanti in the last few years and have got off the train at a station open to the public at that point...Wilmslow for one.

 

[TheEdge]

Why do they sometimes use the Royal Train to travel but other times regular passenger services with just a coach locked off?

Prince Charles and Camilla, Kate and I think one of William or Harry have all used Virgin/Avanti in the last few years and have got off the train at a station open to the public at that point...Wilmslow for one.

Its walking the line between spending money that doesn't need to be spent and using then train when most suitable.

Simple A to B trips (London to King's Lynn) can be done with extra security on a public train, easy. But trips like this where you have a tour, effectively a charter, are easier and more practical to do using the train.

 

[eMeS]

How is the Royal Train heated during its overnight stops? Is the engine left idling?

 

[Darandio]

How is the Royal Train heated during its overnight stops? Is the engine left idling?

Generator coach I think?

 

[matt_world2004]

During the wedding of William and Kate 9 years ago there was a steam locomotive (with a royal crest ) and two purple carriages parked by Acton Mainline station . Would this have been the royal train?

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

Why do they sometimes use the Royal Train to travel but other times regular passenger services with just a coach locked off?

Prince Charles and Camilla, Kate and I think one of William or Harry have all used Virgin/Avanti in the last few years and have got off the train at a station open to the public at that point...Wilmslow for one.

Because you cant sleep overnight on a usual train in a locked off coach

 

[DB]

Generator coach I think?

yes, believe so - there are generators in both of the mk2 brake vans.

The train appears to have dual wiring - both standard ETS and 3-phase. Presumably this is so that the loco can power it while on the move, but the generator at night. The standard ETS would require the MA sets to be running under the floors, which might well be too noisy at night, so that's probably the reason for not supplying standard ETS from the geerator as well. Static converters would be an option now, but probably weren't available when this set-up was wired.

 

[DelW]

Why do they sometimes use the Royal Train to travel but other times regular passenger services with just a coach locked off?

Prince Charles and Camilla, Kate and I think one of William or Harry have all used Virgin/Avanti in the last few years and have got off the train at a station open to the public at that point...Wilmslow for one.

Partly anti-virus measures? Since it's providing overnight accommodation, I'd expect it's easier to ensure Covid precautions on one train than on a mixture of trains, cars, and hotels.

 

[trebor79]

I cannot speak for the drivers side but for the station side, while the day of arrival is obviously known the exact time doesn't usually come through till the day and that can change.The station has police in attendance for at least a week (or two) before checking everything and I mean everything!

I lived next to the Leamside Line for a while. One of the last trains over it was the Royal Train. There was an occupational crossing behind our back garden. We noticed some railway workers examining it one day, bit odd as we'd never seen it examined before, but we didn't think anything of it. Then similarly a week or so later, couple of blokes having a mooch about. Then a day or so later some plain clothes people - (dunno if they were BR or special branch or what) pull up in a car for a few minutes, have a look around and drive off.
Shortly after that a smart royal-liveried class 47 running light engine, followed a few minutes after that by the train itself, at which point the penny dropped!

 

[DelW]

I cannot speak for the drivers side but for the station side, while the day of arrival is obviously known the exact time doesn't usually come through till the day and that can change.The station has police in attendance for at least a week (or two) before checking everything and I mean everything!

Last night's "Paddington 24/7" showed such measures, during a recent visit by Camilla Duchess of Cornwall.