Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1906-03-30
WHEN ROYALTY Travels
Traffic Suspended for Hours on
Roads Used by Edward VII.
GUARD AGAINST MISHAP
Block System Of Signalling sus.
pended as Being too Dangerous for
Monarchs-Royal Trains Preceded
by Pilot Engines at all Times
Guarded by Railway Officials.

to the busy American some very
amusing aspects. Every time King
Edward goes from one part OF Eng
land to another the mercantile COM
munity of Great Britain loses some
thing like $4,000. This is due to the
fact that English railway officials use
most extraordinary methods in safe
guarding royal trains. Even In per-
forming so simple journey as 60
ing from Windsor to London dis
lance of about rs miles-traffic Is
suspended for hours when the king
travels that way.
On longer Journeys, the loss to
business houses along the line of
royal route is something enormous.
When the king last journeyed from
Scotland to London 1t was estimated
that the direct loss to tradesmen was
something like $4,000 on account
of the tying up of traffic and delay to
perishable goods.
When King Edward travels along
a certain line all passenger and
freight traffic-even including the
fast express SERVICES suspended.
Most elaborate precautions of every
description are taken to insure royal
safety. For instance, for Is min
utes before the departure of the royal
train from any station all trains are
held up.
The ordinary block system of sig
mailing is suspended, as being too
dangerous for monarchs. Railway
officials do not seem to consider this
= reflection on their own methods for
safeguarding the public. They know,
however, that II any of the royal
party should be injured when trav-
cling on any special line, that par
ticular line would see its fnish," so
far as the British travelling public
Is concerned.
Each portion of the line on which
the king travels is guarded from sec
ton to section by railroad men with
flags. They direct the movement OF
the train. There are two signalmen
to every quarter of a mile. For in
stance, In signalling the train from
Folkestone to London, upward of 38S
men are required.
81 When his majesty is about to trav-
ell the railway station Is cleared Of all
ordinary passengers, and only fav-
ored few are allowed on the plat
form, Just before the royal carriage
drives up a roll of crimson velvet
carpet is carefully laid along the
platform between the kings carriage
and the train.
Usually the kings carriage Is pre-
coded by a few outsiders-men on
horseback who clear the way-and
not infrequently by a small body of
cavalry. the Horse guards being the
favored regiment, as the king him
self is colonel in that regiment.
Railway officials line the platform
and make low bow as his majesty
passes by en- route to his carriage.
Usually the president Of the road
or managing director" as he Is
termed in England accompanies the
king; though, Of course, in sepa-
rate carriage. 1t would not do for
mere railroad president in England
to ride in the same compartment
with the king himself
The reward Of the managing d.
rector for his somewhat perfunctory
task Is, however, often quite great.
Knighthood. the Order of the Garter,
and other houors are often conferred
by the king upon men who have
helred to make his Journeys pleas
ant by their Official presence.
AS the king passes along the rail-
way platform the various officials
move In such q manner that they are
always facing the royal party. Many
an offlcial has lost his Job by mad
vertently turning his back upon
some member OF the royal family
when passing to q train.
As soon as the king is seated in his
carriage, one of the railway directors
reverently approaches King Edward,
handing him a dozen copies OF the
way bill of the journey. This is
printed In letters OF gold on purple
silk. and Is really an elaborate time
table.
The name, rank and occupation Of
every person travelling on the road
on the royal train IS also printed on
the way bill. It's practical use is to
remind his majesty that on the same
train with him are numerous oficials
each ready for anything In the way
of Tip" from so cents up to a ba-
ronetcy.
II Queen Alexandra should be
travelling with the king, or perhaps
alone, she is presented with a bunch
of flowers just as the train moves
from the station. The presentation
is made always by some little girl
the daughter of an official, or of a To-
cal mayor.
Tho speed Of royal trains ts linn
tied to ~ miles an hour. King Ed
ward rsjoices In the possession of
several royal trains, which are used
exclus!vely for convey ing his majua-
~, tt queen, c2s me nbers of their
suite WHOM e~aet nctertetas, sucN
as the kaiser, the king OF italy. or
the ike. visit England, royal trains