Royal Train (BR Mk1)

The **Royal Train** (formed of converted **BR Mk1s**) is a train used only by members of the British Royal Family. Due to the costs of operating these coaches, this train is used only when a monarch or heir to the throne is travelling along the line.

## History

The Royal Train's coaches started out as standard BR Mk1s built in the 1950s and 1960s (two BSKs, four CKs and a BG) for passenger traffic across the UK's railway network. These ones were withdrawn in 1987 and were owned by British Rail's Network SouthEast sector, while still wearing the 1970s Blue & Grey livery without branding (the NSE branding was painted over following retirement). Originally, BR was going to scrap them when the Moorland Steam Railway rang up to purchase the seven decommissioned coaches as a future project, securing them from being scrapped.

After around eight years siting in the restoration queue, and arson damaged one of them to nearly beyond salvage the coaches went in for a retrofit for an interior "fit a king or queen" and to be painted in the same livery as the Royal Train's Mk3s from 1977 onwards. The reason was that Queen Elizabeth II was visiting the railway soon and they needed a transport that would make her feel safe and comfortable. The carriages were ready by August 1998, two weeks to her visit and underwent testing to inspect for defects or if the vandalism has done some unseen damage. The coaches passed the test and a special carriage shed was built for them.

Her Majesty approved of the coaching stock used as her transport and even approved of the motive power being steam instead of diesel traction. The carriages are rarely seen out the railway and serve for "Royal Family usage only".

## Facilities

All seven coaches where originally standard Mk1 BSK, CK and BG stock but after their conversion, their facilities were changed to cater for the British Royal Family.

### Brake Second Corridor 1

* 30-seater conference room.
* Working air conditioning and ventilation.

### Corridor Composite 1

* Working air conditioning and ventilation.
* Three separate toilets.
* Lounge area.

### Corridor Composite 2

* Full catering facility.
* Working taps and cooker.
* Working air conditioning and ventilation.

### Corridor Composite 3

* Full sleeping area
* Working air conditioning and ventilation.

### Corridor Composite 4

* Full dining area
* Working air conditioning and ventilation.

### Brake Second Corridor 2

* Luggage storage.
* Working air conditioning and ventilation.

### Brake Gangway

* Diesel-powered generator for electrics.

## Livery

The coaches of the Royal Train before refurbishment were painted in BR Blue & Grey.

After refurbishment, the coaches are painted in black with neutral grey roofs and frames and red lining trims.

## Trivia

   The Royal Train Mk1s started life as Hornby Railroad Mk1s in BR Maroon livery. These were first sent to be repainted into BR Blue & Grey and weathered for their withdrawn appearance. They are later repainted into Royal Train colours for their conversion.

* The coaches were given new interiors that were custom made via 3D printing.
* Some of the coach models in their original forms appeared originally in the first film and season due to them wearing the BR Maroon livery.

The MSR's Royal Train being steam-hauled is based around the usage of preserved steam locomotives on the Royal Train in the 2000s such as LMS No. 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' (used twice) and new-built Peppercorn A1 No. 60163 'Tornado'.

In real life, five BR Mk1s were built or converted for Royal Train duties, since older coaches were used in the period the last Mk1s were being built. The current Royal Train in real life is made of Mk3 high speed coaches (used mainly on HSTs) since 1977.

* One of these Mk1s was RF No. 2907/325, now named 'Duart', which now forms part of the Northern Belle.