Britain's Royal Train nears final stop after 180 years on track

The British Royal Train, which has served the monarchy for over 180 years, will be retired by March 2027. According to the Royal Household’s latest financial report, the decision was taken to “secure best value for public money.” King Charles III will preside over the final phase of the train’s service.

End of a longstanding tradition

Queen Victoria was the first monarch to travel by train in 1842. Since then, royal trains have become part of British heritage. According to a report by CNN, James Chalmers, keeper of the Privy Purse, stated, “In moving forwards we must not be bound by the past. The royal train, of course, has been part of national life for many decades, loved and cared for by all those involved.”

The train has been housed and maintained in Wolverton, Buckinghamshire, for generations. The town holds deep historical ties to the royal train. Rail historian Philip Marsh said, “Everybody in Wolverton knows someone who has worked on the royal train and they’re bloody proud of it.”

In 2024-25, the royal train made only two trips, costing over $105,000. In contrast, 55 private charter flights cost $819,000, with helicopter and scheduled flights adding another $176,000. Royal travel expenses in total rose to $6.4 million, up $682,000 from the previous year.

Although earlier royal trains featured luxury fittings, the current version, built in the 1970s, is more functional. It was last widely used during the Prince and Princess of Wales’s pandemic tour in 2020. While Queen Elizabeth’s coffin was expected to travel by royal train in 2022, but security concerns led to alternate arrangements.

Criticism over environmental shift

Some observers have questioned King Charles’s decision, given his environmental advocacy. Replacing train journeys with helicopters is seen by critics as a step back in sustainability. The announcement also comes just ahead of Britain’s 200th anniversary of public rail travel.

Farewell tour likely

As per CNN report, the train may make a final tour across the country before its retirement. Rail enthusiasts and royal watchers are expected to turn out to witness its last journey. Marsh said he hopes the carriages will be preserved in museums: “I’d like to see them displayed in a registered museum, whether that be the NRM or a new museum at their home in Wolverton."