The royal train has reached end of the line

ITS claret-liveried sleeper, dining and lounge carriages have carried generations of royals up and down the country in comfort for decades.

- By Rebecca Russell

But now the King is bidding the “fondest of farewells” to the royal train after approving its decommissioning following years of service.

It is understood that Charles and other members of the Royal Family will rely on two new helicopters when the eight-carriage train stops running ahead of a maintenance contract ending in 2027.

The first train was created for Queen Victoria in the mid-19th century and it has long played a key role in royal life, including transporting her coffin and those of her grandson King George V and great-grandson King George VI for burial in Windsor.

The present-day rolling stock dates from between 1977 and 1987 and is stored when not in use.

The royal train does not have dedicated locomotives — they are used on other services.

James Chalmers, keeper of the privy purse, said that the move was an example of the royal household applying “fiscal discipline” in its drive to deliver “value for money”.

According to rail company Avanti West Coast, the royal train can cost over £100 a mile to run.