Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved royal train to be scrapped as King Charles seeks to modernise monarchy
The late Queen Elizabeth II was very fond of travelling by train
For more than 180 years, the royal train has been a symbol of tradition, privacy, and prestige within the British monarchy.
But now, in a move that signals both a nod to the future and a farewell to one of Queen Elizabeth II’s most beloved modes of travel, King Charles is preparing to decommission the royal train as part of his broader effort to modernise the monarchy and cut costs.
King Charles to get rid of royal train
Used by British monarchs since the 1840s, the royal train is the last private, non-commercial train service in the UK catering exclusively to one family.
Queen Elizabeth II reportedly described it as one of the only places where she could relax in complete privacy.
With its modest, wood-panelled interior and discreet overnight stops away from public rail lines, it offered the late monarch rare solitude.
However, the decision to scrap it comes down to cost, practicality, and a changing vision for the monarchy under King Charles.
The train’s rolling stock, mostly dating from the 1980s, requires significant upgrades to remain compatible with the modern rail network.
Meanwhile, two recently acquired, fuel-efficient royal helicopters now serve many of the same travel needs at a lower long-term cost.
“The royal train, of course, has been part of national life for many decades, loved and cared for by all those involved,” James Chalmers, Keeper of the Privy Purse, told The Guardian. “But in moving forward, we must not be bound by the past.
The time has come to bid the fondest of farewells as we seek to be disciplined and forward in our allocation of funding.”
Queen Victoria splashed out for her personal carriages
The royal train has carried generations of monarchs across Britain.
Queen Victoria herself paid out of pocket for her personal royal carriages. Meanwhile, her son Edward VII commissioned a new train to match the luxury of the royal yacht, complete with electric fans, cigar lighters, and footmen.
King George V installed the first-ever train bath. Prince Albert insisted on the inclusion of a lavatory in 1850, although in the early years, only he used it.
Though treasured by Queen Elizabeth II, the royal train has long been criticised for its expense. In 2013, MPs questioned its £900,000 annual operating costs and called for its retirement.
Sir Alan Reid, then Keeper of the Privy Purse, warned it had only five to ten years left.
Surprisingly, inspections later revealed the train to be in excellent condition, delaying its fate.
But with the monarchy’s spending now under renewed scrutiny, Charles appears ready to make the call.
In addition to the train’s decommissioning, the royal household is transitioning to greener transport. One Bentley already runs on biofuels, and electric vehicles are under consideration.
The duchy of Cornwall, now under Prince William, is also waiving or reducing rent for local charities and environmental groups in a bid to modernise its operations and address past criticisms.
“It’s clear we’ve entered an era of deep change,” said Will Bax, chief of the duchy. “But we change not because we disrespect our past, but precisely because we do respect it.”
For royal fans and historians, the scrapping of the royal train marks the end of a majestic chapter.
Read more: King Charles to receive nine-figure sum after crown estate’s staggering profits
What do you think of this story? Then leave us a comment on our Facebook page and let us know.
