UK: The Royal Household has announced that the Royal Train is to be decommissioned.
The decision announced on June 30 follows a ‘thorough’ review of value for money of the train, which provides reliable and secure transport and accommodation for members of the royal family but was only used twice in the year to March 31 2025. The royal family also use scheduled train services, and the staff expenses policy encourages employees to choose train travel over car for sustainability.
The review looked at the cost of storage and maintenance, the level of usage, the ‘significant’ investment required to keep the train in operation, and the delivery of two leased helicopters which offer an alternative means of transport. The decommissioning process will begin in 2025-26, with usage to end by March 31 2027 when the current operating and maintenance contract with DB Cargo UK expires.
The train is owned by infrastructure manager Network Rail, and stabled by DB Cargo UK at Wolverton on the West Coast Main Line. DB Cargo UK told staff that the end of royal train operations was ‘incredibly sad news’ for the company and the broader rail family, and it would work with the Royal Household to explore appropriate opportunities for its use.
In a statement, the company said ‘it’s been an absolute joy and a privilege for DB Cargo UK to maintain and operate this important and iconic part of the nation’s rail heritage. Filmed and photographed wherever she goes, it’s a huge responsibility to ensure she looks pristine at all times for her adoring public. The secrecy and security that surrounds her movements only adds to the sense of occasion when she passes through. Everyone at DB Cargo UK will look back at the last 30 years with great fondness and great pride.’
