Decision not to use the Royal Train sharply divides opinion
Plans to carry the Queen’s coffin from Edinburgh to London by rail were scrapped in favour of travel in a Royal Air Force cargo aircraft.
Fears for public safety and disruption were cited for the decision. It was also said that the flight was chosen to reduce the travel time from Scotland, to give more time for people to view the coffin in Westminster.
People across the rail industry voiced their disappointment.
“Millions of people from Edinburgh to London have been denied the opportunity to stand at the trackside and pay their respects,” said RAIL Managing Editor Nigel Harris.
“Consider the extensive opportunity given to the Scots Her Late Majesty was taken by road all the way from Balmoral to Edinburgh. It is just not right to deny everyone south of Edinburgh that simple act of remembrance, in order to allow more Londoners to file through Westminster Hall. It excludes the whole of England outside London.”
Rail sources said the rail plan was abandoned because reckless behaviour by onlookers would be difficult to police. It involved running the Royal Train at 40mph between stations, slowing to 10 mph through major stations. Trains in the opposite direction were to be stationary as the Royal Train passed.
The Daily Telegraph quoted “a royal source” who said the plan to use the Royal Train had been discussed within the past five years, but dismissed “some time ago on the advice of partner organisations, including the police, government departments and local councils”.
The source said the plan to use the RAF was the original choice, so the plans “have now reverted”.
Glen Anderson tweeted: “I’ve driven a normal train in service just ahead of a steam special, and I’m staggered that there were no fatalities among the enthusiasts that day. There’s no way on Earth the railway can cope with the numbers of spectators that bringing Her Majesty to London by train could generate.”
Another driver added: “I’d love for the Queen to be carried on the Royal Train, but my brain says fly her to Northolt. Having driven trains ahead of Flying Scotsman, it became an absolute trespass fest.”
But rail worker Alex Fortune said: “I’m now just sad that the opportunity has been taken away from so many people because it may be difficult to sort out.”
Others spoke of the decision displaying a “can’t do” culture on the railway that was at odds with how staff felt, pointing out that people watching a train carrying the late Queen would behave differently from over-enthusiastic viewers of Flying Scotsman.