Royal Train to Edinburgh today (05/07)?

[dan4291]

Just wondering if anyone knows if the Royal Train is running either today or did run yesterday (04/07) in connection to the King's Honours of Scotland ceremony in Edinburgh today (05/07)? Can't find any information about how the King and Queen got to Edinburgh.

 

[The Puddock]

The king arrived in Edinburgh by helicopter on Monday.

 

[dan4291]

The king arrived in Edinburgh by helicopter on Monday.

Fair enough, thanks. Shame he didn't use the train though but I doubt that that would've been HM's decision, more the security team's.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

So, possibly some of the King and Queen's entourage may have used the Royal Train to get to/from Edinburgh?

 

[The Puddock]

Fair enough, thanks. Shame he didn't use the train though but I doubt that that would've been HM's decision, more the security team's.

There are many different factors in the decision whether or not to use the train as part of a particular itinerary. Security is one of them (though the train is actually one of the most secure methods of royal travel) but frequently the choice is a matter of logistics, i.e. how the journey fits into the schedule for the day. Of course the Principal’s preference will be taken into account too.

So, possibly some of the King and Queen's entourage may have used the Royal Train to get to/from Edinburgh?

No, the train wasn’t used.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

No, the train wasn’t used.

Thanks for clarifying. Had the Royal Train even been provisionally timetabled to run to/from Edinburgh on a "standby / just in case" basis, or are such details not ever publicly viewable due, presumably, to security issues?

 

[DarloRich]

Thanks for clarifying. Had the Royal Train even been provisionally timetabled to run to/from Edinburgh on a "standby / just in case" basis, or are such details not ever publicly viewable due, presumably, to security issues?

royal train movements are not publicly communicated.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Might not the current overtime ban be a factor?

Even where the Royal Train would not in itself be affected, it wouldn't be a good look to make use of it in a week where many timetables are being reduced because of there not being as many drivers available as normal would it?

 

[dan4291]

Might not the current overtime ban be a factor?

Even where the Royal Train would not in itself be affected, it wouldn't be a good look to make use of it in a week where many timetables are being reduced because of there not being as many drivers available as normal would it?

DB Cargo have the contract to maintain and provide staff for the Royal Train, including drivers, so therefore not part of the industrial action as far as I know.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

DB Cargo have the contract to maintain and provide staff for the Royal Train, including drivers, so therefore not part of the industrial action as far as I know.

They have, and they aren't in the dispute - but people may be conscious of the impression it might create in the circumstances?

 

[sprite]

Less of a bad impression than the extravagant ceremonies, millions of pounds etc wasted when people are relying on foodbanks.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Less of a bad impression than the extravagant ceremonies, millions of pounds etc wasted when people are relying on foodbanks.

You probably make a valid point, but doesn't some of the money spent on Royal "pageantry" still trickle down into the general UK economy?

(For example... Hotel staff, caterers, specialist costume makers and security staff will all have the opportunity to sell products and/or supplement or earn their wages).

Or, and getting back on topic, are you suggesting that the Royal Train isn't needed any longer & should be binned?