The Royal Train which was once a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II is being re-branded by King Charles, raising hopes it can be saved from the scrapheap.
The fate of the Royal Train has been uncertain since Queen Elizabeth II's death in September 2022, when Buckingham Palace launched a review into its future.
More than two years later, operator DB Cargo UK confirmed it will update the Royal Train by replacing the late Queen's cypher with that of the King.
The words "Queen’s Messenger" on the side, will also be replaced in honour of His Majesty. The rebrand coincides with the King's first use of the train in almost a year as Charles travelled to the Midlands for engagements at JCB in Staffordshire and a brewery in Burton upon Trent on the train last week.
Queen Elizabeth II was fond of the train and saved it from being scrapped in 2017 as she believed it to be a cost-effective and convenient way for the Royal Family to travel.
Andrea Rossi, DB Cargo UK's chief executive, said: "There's always a great sense of occasion when the Royal Train is seen out on the mainline network, a sight we hope to see more frequently in the years to come, particularly with His Majesty's focus on promoting sustainability and the environment."
The Royal Train is known for its high operating costs, accounting for some of the most expensive official royal journeys each year.
But Palace aides maintain it provides overnight security and remains "an effective and operationally efficient mode of transport."
It now runs exclusively on hydro-treated vegetable oil, a biofuel derived from waste products, making it more sustainable and aligning with the monarch's environmental ambitions.
King Charles has used the train sparingly since becoming monarch, with journeys costing between £31,571 and £52,013.
The Royal Train's carriages date back to the 1970s and 1980s, with the King and Queen each enjoying a dedicated lounge, bedroom and bathroom.
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