Royal Trains - Royal Research

Photo Credit: Australia Photographic Collection
[CC BY 2.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons

The Royals started using trains in the 1840s & 50s, decades before the modern car was invented.
Train travel was a popular mode of transportation for the Royals because it is safe, private, convenient, etc.

A "Royal Train" is usually a set of special train cars that can be either attached to a regularly scheduled train or run on their own locomotive. The Royal Train services as both a mean of transportation and a Royal Residence. On occasion, a royal might hold an official meeting or engagement on the Royal Train.

Many of the royal families have done away with the Royal Train since cars (& highways), airplanes, helicopters, etc. have become common. The UK, Denmark, Netherland, and Norway Royals still have royal trains which are used on occasion.

United Kingdom 

• Due to the cost, only the Queen or Prince Charles may use the "Royal Train" for official engagements. Other Royals travel by normally scheduled train.
• There is a set of 9 carriages used by the royals and their staff. Although all 9 are not usually used at the same time. 
• In the past, when you have month-long tours, Commonwealth Countries would create a "Royal Train" for the Royal Family to use while touring the country. 
• 1936 Canadian Royal Train
• Features floor plans for the different compartments.  

Denmark 

• The current Royal Train was created as a gift for Queen Margrethe for her 60th Jubilee. (The 5th edition of the Denmark Roal Train)
• Gallery of The Denmark Royal Transportation (including the current & older Royal Trains)

Netherlands

• The current Royal Train consists of the Royal Carriage and two modified first class train cars.
• The Royal Carriage was created in 1993. The special car features a salon with sitting area and a conference table with six chairs, two small bedrooms and a kitchenette. 
• The two modified first class cars were created in 2012 and are used by staff, press & guests. 
• The Royal Train is managed by Dutch State Railways. And is used by the King, visiting heads of state, and cabinet members. 

Norway

• The current Royal Train was created in 1994 in connection with the Lillehammer Olympics.
• Normal train cars are added, as needed, for staff, press and guests.
• The train is maintained by the Norwegian State Railways

Royal Warrant Holders:

• DB Cargo - operates and maintains the British Royal Train 
• From the Queen for "Royal Train Operator"
• Rail Gourmet - provides the catering services on-board the Royal Train
• From the Queen for "Royal Train Caterers" (since 2006)
• Green Fuels - provides sustainable biodiesel for the Royal Train
• From Prince Charles for "Suppliers of Biofuel and Biofuel related Equipment" (Since 2013)
• NMBS/SNCB - is the National Railway Company of Belgium
• Warrant Holder of the Court of Belgium 

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