Victorian Railways Royal Train

The Victorian Railways operated Royal Trains to transport members of the Monarchy of Australia on their Royal visits to Australia. The same carriages were also used for a number of vice-regal trains for the Governor-General of Australia and the Governor of Victoria. The last Royal train was in 1988.

Operation

Royal trains usually operated with special carriage stock set aside for the purpose. Most trains operated with double headed locomotives to reduce the chance of the train being stranded due to locomotive failure, with a third locomotive running in front of the train to ensure the track was clear. A special headboard with the royal coat of arms was usually affixed to the front of the leading locomotive.

Carriages

In the history of the Victorian Railways there were five special carriages designated for royal train and other special services, designated State Car 1 through to State Car 5.

The carriages were painted in the standard royal blue with gold trim of the Victorian Railways, with the exception of the 1988 Royal Tour. Operated by VR successor V/Line this trip was operated by two freshly cleaned locomotives in the standard orange and grey livery, with the carriages painted in a one off 'executive' livery of grey and white, with orange and green trim. [cite web
url=http://www.victorianrailways.net/photogallery/gall05/05-15.html
title=Photo: Royal Tour 1988
publisher=www.victorianrailways.net
accessdate=2008-06-08]

"State Car 1" entered service in 1890 as "Enterprise". It was renamed in 1900 and was scrapped in August 1956. [cite web
url=http://www.pjv101.net/cd/pages/c160v09.htm
title=Special Stock - 'Enterprise' / State Car 1
publisher=www.pjv101.net
accessdate=2008-06-08]

"State Car 2" and "State Car 3" both entered service in 1901 and were both rebuilt for other uses in 1919. [cite web
url=http://www.pjv101.net/cd/pages/c160v24.htm
title=Special Stock - 'State Car 2'
publisher=www.pjv101.net
accessdate=2008-06-08] [cite web
url=http://www.pjv101.net/cd/pages/c160v25.htm
title=Special Stock - 'State Car 3'
publisher=www.pjv101.net
accessdate=2008-06-08]

"State Car 4" was built in 1912 based on the then state of the art wooden E type carriage design. It featured an observation balcony at one end, Governor's and Lady's bedrooms (which could be separated by doors), dining room, kitchen, Gents and Ladies bathrooms (each with bath, shower and toilet), and accommodation for ladies in waiting and other support staff. A total of 9 sleeping berths were provided. [cite journal | year = 1996 | month = August | title = Ninety years of the E cars | author = Chris Banger and Peter Medlin | journal = Newsrail | publisher = Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division) | pages = page 236 ] This carriage is in the custody of the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre collection.

"State Car 5" was based on the steel air conditioned S type carriage design in 1951. A royal insignia was painted on each side. [cite web
url=http://www.pjv101.net/cd/pages/c160v06.htm
title=Special Stock - "State Car 5"
publisher=www.pjv101.net
accessdate=2008-06-08] The carriage featured a kitchen, lounge / dining area, two main bedrooms with ensuite (featuring bathroom with bath, basin, shower and toilet), two sleeping / sitting compartments for attendants, and a third bathroom. It was repainted into the grey livery in 1988 for the Royal tour of the year, and has since been allocated to the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre collection. [cite web
url=http://comrails.railpage.org.au/sar_carriages/n_state_car_5.html
title="State Car No.5" - Victorian Railways
publisher=comrails.railpage.org.au
accessdate=2008-06-08]

"Mitta Mitta" was converted from BRS 228 for use as a support carriage for State Car 5 on Vice Regal trains in 1994, but was never used in the role. [cite web
url=http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p1063808.htm#1063808
title=Commissioners' Train
work=Railpage Australia Forums
publisher=www.railpage.com.au
accessdate=2008-06-08] It was fitted with sleeping berths, bathroom, kitchen, and a dining and lounge area.

"Norman" (former "Spirit of Progress" Parlor Car) was also used on Royal trains.

Trains

* June 1867: The first Royal train drawn by engine No50, took Prince Alfred Duke of Edinburgh to Ballarat, and then to Castlemaine and Bendigo.cite web
url=http://www.historyvictoria.org.au/pdf/state.pdf
title=History Victoria: State occasions
publisher=www.historyvictoria.org.au
accessdate=2008-06-08] Recorded times for the 45 miles between Melbourne and Geelong were 52 to 60 minutes. [Leo J. Harrigan. Victorian Railways to '62. Victorian Railways. 1962. p 269]
* May 1901 - The first complete Royal train was assembled from special purpose vehicles for the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later King George V and Queen Mary). The Royal train travelled to Healesville and other parts of Victoria, and finally to Port Melbourne, where they embarked for the sea voyage to Brisbane. [cite web
url=http://www.railwaymuseum.org.au/history2.html
title=ARHS Railway Museum: History 1900 - 1950
publisher=www.railwaymuseum.org.au
accessdate=2008-06-08]
* May / June 1920: Prince of Wales (later briefly King Edward VIII) toured the state.
* May 7, 1927: The Duke and Dutchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth), who were visiting Australia to open the new Parliament House in Canberra, travelled from Melbourne to Geelong with A2 976 and [cite web
url=http://museumvictoria.com.au/railways/image.aspx?pid=1969
title=A2 steam locomotive hauling royal train, Spencer Street Station, 1927.
publisher=museumvictoria.com.au
accessdate=2008-06-08] [cite web
url=http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictoria/b/2/1/doc/b21415.shtml
title=A2.976 & 948 on Royal Train at Geelong. picture by
publisher=www.slv.vic.gov.au
accessdate=2008-06-08] to Seymour on May 11 with A2 948. [cite web
url=http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictoria/b/2/1/doc/b21416.shtml
title=The Royal Train at Seymour. picture by
publisher=www.slv.vic.gov.au
accessdate=2008-07-05]
* October 26-27, 1934: Duke of Gloucester, (later Governor General of Australia 1945-1947) Bairnsdale to Melbourne ["D3s for a King's Son" Bakewell, Guy Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, October, 1970 pp221-227] for Melbourne Centenary Celebrations.
* October 31, 1934: Duke of Gloucester to Mildura. [cite web
url=http://www.historyvictoria.org.au/pdf/Mildura.pdf
title=History Victoria: The Mildura Story
author=Bruce McLean
publisher=www.historyvictoria.org.au
accessdate=2008-06-08] .
* February / March 1952: Planned tour by then Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, cancelled due to the death of King George VI. Was to be operated by steam locomotive R 704. [cite web
url=http://www.707operations.com.au/default.aspx?page=R%20Class%20-%20A%20Brief%20History
title=:: 707 Operations Inc - Steam Trains of Australia ::
publisher=www.707operations.com.au
accessdate=2008-06-08]
* March 3-6, 1954: Queen Elizabeth II accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. B class diesel electric locomotives used.
* 1958: Queen Mother.
* 1959: Princess Alexandra.
* October 18, 1965: Governor-General Lord Casey from home station of Berwick on his first official visit to Melbourne. State Car No 5 hauled by a diesel electric engine.
* October 27, 1975: Princess Margaret to Moe and return, locomotive L 1150. [cite web
url=http://www.victorianrailways.net/vr%20history/history.html
title=VR History
publisher=www.victorianrailways.net
accessdate=2008-06-08]
*April 15 1983: Princess Diana and Prince Charles from Spencer Street Station to Ballarat. Locomotives S 315 and S 300 headed the 3 car train, S 311 was the pilot locomotive. [cite web
url=http://www.victorianrailways.net/photogallery/westsou/bratroy.html
title=Ballarat: Royal Train
publisher=www.victorianrailways.net
accessdate=2008-06-08] [cite web
url=http://www.victorianrailways.net/photogallery/gallery%20pages/pic06.html
title=Rowsley: Royal Train
publisher=www.victorianrailways.net
accessdate=2008-06-08]
*April 28, 1988: Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh from Spencer Street Station to Geelong and return. The consist of the train was N 471 - N 474 - ACZ 252 (van trailing) - State Car 5 - "Norman" (round end trailing). A third N class was the pilot locomotive running 10 minutes ahead. [cite journal | year = 1988 | month = June | title = News: Royal Train | journal = Newsrail | publisher = Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division) | pages = page 178 ]

References

External links

* Photo: [http://www.victorianrailways.net/photogallery/gall05/05-15.html 1988 Royal train at Spencer Street Station]
* Photo: [http://www.victorianrailways.net/photogallery/westsou/bratroy.html 1983 Royal train at Ballarat station]
* Photo: [http://www.victorianrailways.net/photogallery/gallery%20pages/pic06.html 1983 Royal train between Bacchus Marsh and Bank Box]
* [http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p571462.htm Railpage Australia Forums: 'Those Grey V/Line Carriges']
* [http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p281126.htm Railpage Australia Forums: 'Royal Visit']
* [http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p819982.htm#819982 Railpage Australia Forums: 'Commissioners Carriages across Australia']