The Royal Train was a special train for transporting the British Royal Family.
History[]
In early 1953, Queen Elizabeth II used the Royal Train to visit the Island of Sodor. Henry was supposed to pull it, but after an accident involving a painter on a ladder, Gordon was given the job instead, with Edward running ahead as a pilot to clear the line.[1]
In 1995, Pip and Emma were borrowed to take the Prince of Wales and some guests to Tidmouth for the Golden Jubilee of The Railway Series. Once again, Edward was tasked at clearing the line.[2] In 2011, they again brought Prince Charles to Tidmouth, but this time to unveil a bust of the Thin Clergyman in celebration of the latter's centenary.[3]
Rolling Stock[]
The Royal Train consists of a number of different specially-built carriages. It is currently unknown exactly which ones were used on its visit to Sodor, however, a comprehensive list of the coaches used throughout its lifetime can be found here.
Appearances[]
The Railway Series[]
- Gordon the Big Engine - Paint Pots and Queens
- Thomas and the Fat Controller's Engines - Golden Jubilee
- Thomas and his Friends - Centenary
Companion Volumes[]
- 2005 - Sodor: Reading Between the Lines (mentioned)
Trivia[]
- The headcode for the Royal Train consists of four headlamps, one mounted to each lamp iron.
- In the seventh illustration of Fire Escape, Dwayne is (likely erroneously) illustrated with the headcode "1X01", of which one of the possible meanings of the "X" is "Royal Train".
- In real-life, 8783 was kept in immaculate condition as one of the dedicated Royal locomotives hauling the Royal Trains from King's Cross to Wolferton for Sandringham.
Gallery[]
The Railway Series[]
Main Series[]
See also[]
References[]
| Locomotives | Steam | 87546 and 98462 | Workshop Engines | Big City Engine | Jinty and Pug | City of Truro | Stepney | Bluebell and Primrose | Adams | Cromford | Captain Baxter | Flying Scotsman | Toby's Brothers | 8783 | 1020 | Stephenson's Rocket | Green Arrow | Boxhill | Iron Duke | Mallard | Duchess of Hamilton | Wilbert | Sixteen | Albert | King James I | Bahamas |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | Diesel | Diesel 4711 | Diesel 199 | Diesel 40125 | Diesel 31120 | 10751 | |
| Rolling Stock | Helena | |
| People | Elizabeth II | The Thin Clergyman | The Fat Clergyman | |
| Stations | Barrow-in-Furness | Bournemouth | Brighton | Carlisle | Carnforth | Crewe | Doncaster | Euston | Horsted Keynes | King's Cross | Lakeside | Norchard | Paddington | St. Pancras | York | |
| Railways | Bluebell Railway | British Railways | Corris Railway | Dean Forest Railway | Ffestiniog Railway | Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway | Snowdon Mountain Railway | Talyllyn Railway | Toby's Old Tramway | |