British Royal Train - Royal Train Use

Although this type of travel is expensive compared to scheduled services, the train enables members of the Royal Family to carry out busy schedules over an extended period, in a secure environment that minimises disruption and inconvenience to the public and provides accommodation and office facilities. On at least one occasion, the Prince of Wales has conducted a dinner meeting on board the train. Some Members of Parliament have argued that the Royal Train, like the Royal Yacht, is an expensive under-used relic. However, the train is recognised as being a very secure way for the octogenarian queen to complete overnight trips. The cost of the Royal Train when it was introduced in 1977 for The Queen's Silver Jubilee was £1.9 million (£8,797,973 as of 2013), and has since been considerably reduced. Edward Leigh, the Conservative chairman of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, said the Royal Train was twice as expensive as using air travel but hardly luxurious. He said, "It's a rather Formica-laminated affair. I don't think it's that grand or that comfortable." It appears that much of the public that has a sentimental view of the train and would like to see it used for the Diamond Jubilee in June 2012 after its use for the Silver Jubilee and the Golden Jubilee.

In the financial year 2011 the Royal Train was used for 14 trips, averaging 931 miles. Ten trips were by the Prince of Wales, and four by the Queen and Prince Philip. Nineteen nights were spent on the train during the course of the 14 trips. In order to control costs, Parliament permits the Royal Train to be used only by the Queen with Prince Philip, or Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.