Railways and Tramways of Australia
9 February
Headboard on the front of diesel locomotive 4001 for the Royal Train at Sydney Terminal, 9 February 1954. Photo: NSW State Archives, NRS-17420-2-14-465/026.
Royals on the rails
Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, travelled by Royal Train from Sydney to Newcastle on 9 February 1954.
The 1954 Royal Tour of Australia was a major event, taking in all Australian states, and the Royal couple were in New South Wales for ten days. It was the first time a reigning British monarch travelled by train in Australia.
The New South Wales Royal Train was hauled by diesel locomotives 4001 and 4002, which were specially painted royal blue with a chrome yellow band. Attached to the leading unit was the Royal coat of arms. A 38 Class locomotive acted as a pilot, running before the Royal Train.
Carriages on the Royal Train were the Governor-General’s car (GG), State Premier’s car (PAM), Railway Commissioner’s car (AAH9), air-conditioned buffet/sitting car (RBH) and an air-conditioned sitting car with guard’s compartment and power equipment (PFH). The Governor-General’s carriage featured an observation platform, enabling the Royal couple to stand at the rear of the train and wave as they passed along the line.
The Royal Train to Newcastle departed from Central station in Sydney at 10.15 am. It travelled nonstop, slowing down as it passed through Gosford and Wyong, then arrived in Newcastle at 1.10 pm. The Queen and Duke participated in various functions in Newcastle.
Subsequent journeys by the Queen and Duke by Royal Train were from Bulli to Sydney on 11 February and from Bathurst to Sydney on 12 February.
Large numbers of people gathered to catch a glimpse of the Royal couple. A total of 268 special trains conveyed people to Royal Tour events, a massive logistical exercise. Railway buildings were specially decorated.
Royal Trains were once a special feature of Australian railways. Millions of people were thrilled with a passing glimpse of Royalty.
Bibliography
T Bull, ‘The last hurrah–the Royal Train revisited’, Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, no. 847, May 2008, pp 151–8.
Department of Railways, New South Wales, Report of the Commissioner for Railways for the year ended 30th June 1954, Government Printer,
Sydney, 1954.
‘Vintage Alcos’, The Railway News, vol. 32, no. 4, July-August 1980, pp 64–8.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip on the observation platform at the rear of the Royal Train passing through Mount Victoria, 12 February 1954. Photo: NSW State Archives, NRS-17420-2-35-1109/030.
