The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-11-09
WHEN ROYALTY TRAVELS
Traffic Suspended for Hours on
Roads Used by Edward VII.
GUARD AGAINST MlSHAP
Block System of Signalling Sus-
pended rs Being too Dangerous for
Monarchs--Royal Trains Preceded
by Pilot Engines at all Times
Guarded by Railway Officials,

Royalty on the railroad presents
o the busy American some very
lmusing aspects. Every time King
Edward goes from one part of Eng
and to another the mercantile COM
nunity of Great Britain loses some
hing like $4,000 This is due to the
act that English railway officials use
nost extraordinary methods in safe
;uarding royal trains. Even In per-
orming so simple a journey as GO
ng from Windsor to London-a dis
ance of about % mles-trafiic is
suspended for hours when the king
ravels that way.
On longer journeys, the loss to
business houses along the line of
oyal route is something enormous.
When the king last journeyed from
Scotland to London 1t was estimated
hat the direct loss to tradesmen was
omething like $4,000 on account
VI the tying up of traffic and delay to
lerishable goods.
When King Edward travels along
certain line all passenger and
reight trafiic-even including the
asst express service-is suspended.
lost elaborate precautions of every
description are taken to insure royal
afety For instance, for Is min
ties before the departure of the royal
rain from any station all trains are
leld up.
The ordinary block system of sig
falling is suspended, as being too
dangerous for monarchs. Railway
,fflcials do not seem to consider this
reflection on their own methods for
afeguarding the public. They know,
iowever, that if any of the royal
'arty should be injured when trav-
ling on any special line, that par
icular line would "see its finish" so
ar as the British travelling public
concerned.
Each portion of the line on which
he king travels is guarded from sec
ION to section by railroad men with
ags. They direct the movement of
he train. There are two signalmen
every quarter of mile. For in
tance, in signalling the train from
'olkestone to London, upward of 3SS
len are required.
When his majesty is about to trav-
the railway station is cleared of all
rdinary passengers, and only fav-
red few are allowed on the plat
orm. Just before the royal carriage
rives up a roll of crimson velvet
arpet is carefully laid along the
latform between the kings carriage
nd the train.
Usually the kings carriage is pre-
eded by a few outsidors-men on
orseback who clear the way-and
ot infrequently by small body of
avalry, the Horse guards being the
lvored regiment, as the king him
elf Is a colonel in that regiment.
Railway officials line the platform
nd make a low bow as his majesty
asses by en- route to his carriage.
sually the president of the road
managing director" as he is
armed in England-accompanies the
ing; though, of course, in a sepa-
ate carriage. 1t would not do for a
lere railroad president in England
ride in the same compartment
18th the king himself.
The reward of the managing di-
octor for his somewhat perfunctory
lsk Is, however, often quite great.
.nighthood, the Order of the Garter,
nd other honors are often conferred
the king upon men who have
n
ut by their official presence.
AS the king passes along the rail
'ay platform the various officials
tove in such a manner that they are
lways facing the royal party. Many
n official has lost his job by mad
ertently turning his back upon
>me member of the royal family
hen passing to train.
AS soon as the king is seated in his
lrriage, one of the railway directors
)verently approaches King Edward,
anding him a dozen copies of the
ay bill of the journey. This is
rinted in letters of gold on purple
Tx, and is really an elaborate time
lble.
He HdHlt, Iduh anu OCCupdllOn Ol
very person travelling on the road
the royal train is also printed on
ne way bill. It's practical use is to
emind his majesty that on the same
rain with him are numerous officials
ach ready for anything in the way
4 a "tip" from so cents up to a ba-
onetcy.
II Queen Alexandra should be
raveling with the king, or perhaps
lone, she is presented with a bunch
II flowers just as the train moves
rom the station. The presentation
made always by some little girl
he daughter of an official, or of To-
al mayor.
The speed Of royal trains is lin
ted to 40 miles an hour. King Ed
ward rejoices in the possession of
several royal trains, which are used
exclusively for conveying his majes-
y, the queen, and members of their
suite. When great potentates, such
As the kaiser, the king of Italy, or
Nha ait NM, n,.I