From the author of The Royal Yacht Britannia, here is the official story of Royal travel by train. There is in fact no single Royal Train, but rather a set of rail vehicles that can be assembled into whatever configuration is required, depending on which member of the Royal Family is travelling.

Brian Hoey examines every aspect of the Royals' favourite form of transport, including the rolling stock, the locomotives, the costs, operating routines, refreshments - and the décor in the Queen's personal saloon.