The Funeral Train of Queen Victoria
What part did the railways play in this important period of national mourning?
Queen Victoria's Saloon Queen Victoria's Saloon (1869) by London & North Western RailwayNational Railway Museum
Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837. Just five years later, she became the first reigning monarch to travel by train. By the mid-19th Century the railways dominated British society and reshaped people's relationship with the concepts of space and time.
Queen Victoria's SaloonNational Railway Museum
Although she first travelled by rail in 1842, it was a specially made saloon, built in 1869, that became her favourite.This carriage represented the height of luxury, featuring ornate seating, beds, a toilet, and even electric lighting. She would use it for the rest of her life.
In February 1901, it carried Queen Victoria on one final journey.
On 22 January 1901, after 63 years ruling over Britain and its Empire, Queen Victoria passed away at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.
Fulfilling her wish to be laid to rest beside Prince Albert in Windsor presented a logistical challenge. Her body needed to be transported across sea and land with dignity and precision.
Royal Sovereign Locomotive (1901) by UnknownNational Railway Museum
The Royal Yacht Alberta carried her across the sea, but it was the railway that played a central role in the funeral arrangements. Once the coffin had arrived on the mainland, the Royal Train stood ready to begin its solemn task.
The funeral journey was divided into three legs. It began at Royal Victoria Station in Gosport, Hampshire.
The driver for this first leg, George Russell, was informed only at the last minute that he would be piloting the funeral train. So last minute, in fact, that his daughter discovered his assignment only when she came to deliver his lunch and couldn’t find him.
Carriage Plan of Royal Train for Queen Victoria's Funeral (1901) by Waterlow & Sons Limited and Great Western RailwayNational Railway Museum
The train faced delays from the outset
The passengers, including members of the late Queen’s family and other distinguished dignitaries, had been seated in the wrong carriages. Given the importance of protocol, once the error was discovered, everyone was required to move to their correct seats.
More time was lost at Fareham, where the crew changed and the brakes were tested, resulting in an additional 10-minute setback. Walter Cooper, the new driver, was under pressure to recover the lost time.
Photographs of the Funeral Procession of Queen Victoria (1910)National Railway Museum
During parts of the journey, the train reached speeds of 75 mph. Queen Victoria, who had always disliked high speeds, would likely have disapproved. She forbade her trains from exceeding 40 mph. Nevertheless, Cooper managed to bring the train into London on schedule.
Once in London, the coffin had to be transported across the city to Paddington Station for the final leg of the journey.
Queen Victoria made the unusual decision to not lie in state in London. This procession was the public’s only opportunity to bid farewell.
In another break from tradition, she requested that mourning decorations be in white and purple, rather than black. This colour scheme adorned wreaths like the one seen here.
This wreath, placed by schoolchildren, decorated the front of the train to Windsor. The ribbon at the base, now faded, would originally have been a bright purple.
Carriage Plan of Royal Train for Queen Victoria's Funeral (1901) by Waterlow & Sons Limited and Great Western RailwayNational Railway Museum
At Paddington Station, additional challenges emerged.
At Paddington Station, additional challenges emerged
Kaiser Wilhelm II, Victoria’s eldest grandson and chief foreign mourner, insisted that nine German soldiers from regiments with royal ties be included on the train. Space was eventually found for the additional mourners in the semi-saloon carriage.
The Kaiser was not the only foreign royal in attendance. Known as the ‘Grandmother of Europe,’ Queen Victoria had children and grandchildren across the continent’s royal houses. Representatives came from Denmark, Portugal, Germany, and beyond.
Royal Sovereign Locomotive (1901) by UnknownNational Railway Museum
Once all dignitaries were aboard, the final journey to Windsor began. The train was hauled by a locomotive named Royal Sovereign, in honour of the late Queen. At the heart of the formation lay the Queen's favourite saloon, where her coffin rested.
Photographs of the Funeral Procession of Queen VictoriaNational Railway Museum
The train arrived at Windsor Station. There, a final procession took place, escorting the Queen to 'The Queen's Chapel of St George within her Castle of Windsor'. The funeral ceremony could now finally begin.
Queen Victoria's SaloonNational Railway Museum
Over her long reign, Queen Victoria presided over profound transformation. The British Empire expanded, traditions evolved, and industry was revolutionised. Railways had become the arteries of the nation.
By 1901, they were so integral to British life that they were entrusted with this most solemn duty.
Yet, with the passing of Queen Victoria came a tide of change. Within a decade, the railways would reach their peak. After 1911, their influence began to decline.
Photographs of the Funeral Procession of Queen VictoriaNational Railway Museum
As the sun set on Queen Victoria’s life, so too did it begin to set on the era she helped shape.
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