Despite the ongoing love this country has for the monarchy, I reckon the current Royal Train is likely to be the last. It's well known that it is enormously expensive to use, and is used less and less as it isn't really needed. Especially if Lizzie outlives Charlie- big ears likes to play trains, but his son may be more sensible.
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Future HST usage as the Royal Train?
- Thread starter fairysdad
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
gimmea50anyday
Established Member
Not from next year they wont. With 6 deployed on the ECML for thunderbird duties, the remaining 24 will be needed for TPE's 442's!
SpacePhoenix
Established Member
- Joined
- 18 Mar 2014
- Messages
- 5,491
Were the Royal Train coaches custom built from new or are they very heavily modified normal loco hauled Mk2s and Mk3s?
Ash Bridge
Established Member
I know that RT mk3's nos. 2903/2904 were originally built as HST prototype trailer cars FO 11001 & TSO 12001 not fully certain about the rest of the stock, it would be a guess to say they were nearly all rebuilt from former loco hauled coaches.
Whistler40145
Established Member
Why use a HST?
Wouldn't the following options be better?
Modify several Mark 4 coaches with a DVT and a Class 88 or equivalent locomotive?
or
Once IEPs are in traffic, there's going to be a surplus of Class 390s, one could be reformed and refurbished to Royal Train standards and converted for (diesel, 25kV and 3rd rail modes).
Wouldn't the following options be better?
Modify several Mark 4 coaches with a DVT and a Class 88 or equivalent locomotive?
or
Once IEPs are in traffic, there's going to be a surplus of Class 390s, one could be reformed and refurbished to Royal Train standards and converted for (diesel, 25kV and 3rd rail modes).
fairysdad
Member
My thought was the same, once the IEPs are out there, there'll be a surplus of HSTs as well - I wasn't aware of the IEPs replacing the Class 390s, I thought it was just the Great Western and the East Coast lines that were taking them on for the time being.
I also thought the HST as it is a pretty iconic train for this country, and, as I've said already, is already cleared for use on more lines than not where other stock might not be. For instance, a HST can be used on the Newquay branch; could a MkIV/DVT/Class 88? Could a Class 390? Could those be used down to Exeter, let alone beyond all the way to Newquay? That said, I'm not sure of the route clearance of the existing Royal Train to know or not.
(Once again, I'll reiterate that this isn't something I think *should* happen, as I agree that there's probably little point, it was just a question that popped into my head as to whether it *could* happen, ie, was theoretically possible for it!)
Whistler40145
Established Member
Oops, I forgot it was Great Western and East Coast getting IEPs.
I can see where you're coming from with using HSTs, but would you want to use a diesel only train on a journey that has OHLE available for use by an electrically hauled train, that's why I thought of a multi mode train, use diesel on non-electrified sections. This is only an idea.
I can see where you're coming from with using HSTs, but would you want to use a diesel only train on a journey that has OHLE available for use by an electrically hauled train, that's why I thought of a multi mode train, use diesel on non-electrified sections. This is only an idea.
Daz9284
Member
Not from next year they wont. With 6 deployed on the ECML for thunderbird duties, the remaining 24 will be needed for TPE's 442's!
Thought DRS had the contract?
gimmea50anyday
Established Member
Only known locos available are 67's, unless we are going to see t+t 20's or 37's with push pull mods....
Hang on a minute......
Realistically I am unaware what is happening. 67's make sense as they are 125mph capable as so theoretically are the 442's being mk3 stock, although 110mph is a far more realistic but commendable speed. Plus with 68's taking over chiltern and gerald trains the 67's have been freed up and therefore available.
Hang on a minute......
Realistically I am unaware what is happening. 67's make sense as they are 125mph capable as so theoretically are the 442's being mk3 stock, although 110mph is a far more realistic but commendable speed. Plus with 68's taking over chiltern and gerald trains the 67's have been freed up and therefore available.
Last edited:
HMS Ark Royal
Established Member
That would be nice to see
Whistler40145
Established Member
For the limited time that the Royal Train is used, why don't they keep it as is, hauled by a locomotive capable of working on diesel, 25kV OHLE and 3rd rail?
Whistler40145
Established Member
Oh yes, forgot steam.
For the sake of some accuracy, the link below shows how much 'nothing' the Royals did in 2013....
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/letters/article3962290.ece
While it's a paywall article, the table showing the numbers is clearly visible.
As an example, the Queen, who was 87 in 2013, carried out 344 engagements and PoW 537.
Whether you approve of them or not, they don't do nothing.
Townsend Hook
Member
Because no such loco exists,or is planned. Designing and building two or three locos specifically for the RT would be ridiculously uneconomic. For the very limited number of miles that the RT runs on conductor rail lines it'll always be far cheaper just to run on diesel than engineer some bespoke solution.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
To add. HRH is well past retirement age and still working. How many of us plan to still be working at 87. That is 27 years after her fellow females could have retired or 22 years after we males could have retired.
Last edited:
This whole thread has given me the biggest belly laugh since returning from my two week holiday - thanks to all involved!
HMS Ark Royal
Established Member
That would work
Looks like a winner!
- Status