Queen Victoria’s train carriage is being renovated for the first time in half a century and will be partially restored to its former glory in time for the royal wedding in May.
Victoria was the first British monarch to travel by train in 1842, and she liked it so much that she commissioned her own carriage to be built in 1869 – to be used exclusively by members of the royal family.
Its original cost was just £1,800, with the Queen donating £800 of her own money to pay for the luxurious 23-carat gold paint used inside along with precious silks and satin.
Queen Victoria’s train carriage, first built in 1869 and adapted in 1895, is being renovated for the first time in half a century. Pictured is the luxurious lounge section of the carriage, complete with navy silk and 23-carat gold painted furnishings
Its original cost was just £1,800, with the Queen donating £800 of her own money to pay for the luxurious 23-carat gold paint used inside along with precious silks and satin. Pictured is the wooden toilet, surrounded by dark blue silk interior
Victoria was the first British monarch to travel by train, commissioning her own carriage (pictured from the outside on display at York’s National Railway Museum) to be used exclusively by members of the royal family
It is now worth considerably more and sits on display at the National Railway Museum in York.
Although the interior was restored in 2003, the outside of the 19th century locomotive has not seen a complete overhaul since the early 1960s – until now.
The 18-month renovation will involve stripping back layers of paint and varnish and applying sheets of 23.75 Carat gold leaf by hand, to ensure it looks as it did 122 years ago.
The carriage was adapted from a double one in 1895 and lavishly finished in teak with precious silks, satin wood and bird’s eye maple inside.
The interior (twin bedroom pictured) has not been given a new lease of life since the early 1960s and is due a renovation
The interior was restored in 2003, but the outside of the locomotive has not had a complete overhaul since the early 1960s
The 18-month renovation will involve stripping back layers of paint and varnish and applying sheets of 23.75 Carat gold leaf by hand, to ensure it looks as it did 122 years ago. Pictured is the dining section with armchairs, sofas and dining tables
The carriage (pictured) was adapted from a double one in 1895 and lavishly finished in teak with precious silks, satin wood and bird’s eye maple inside
The kitchen section of Queen Victoria’s carriage is pictured leading onto a twin bedroom with a pair of single beds
Pictured is a section of the carriage where the Queen would sit and admire the view, on the way to Windsor Castle or Balmoral
A mysterious donor is behind the renovation project, expected to cost up to £1million.
Helen de Saram, conservator and collections manager at the National Railway Museum, said: ‘Queen Victoria’s Saloon is loved by visitors from all over the world and is undoubtedly one of the museum’s most popular attractions.
‘However, despite being well cared for, the years are beginning to show, and cracks were appearing in the panelling, Shellac is peeling and yellowing, and the paint had faded.
‘It is very exciting to be able to restore this royal treasure back to its former glory, using a combination of the latest materials and techniques as well as traditional craft skills.
‘We are also very grateful to our generous donors, without whom we would not be able to embark on restoration projects of this scale.
‘We plan to finish the first side in time for the royal wedding which is expected to be in May.’
Queen Victoria used the carriage to go to Windsor and Balmoral. She is believed to have slowed the train down to admire the view on the way to Scotland and to eat her meals, which she refused to consume on the go.
Queen Victoria is believed to have slowed down the driver of the train (carriage pictured) to admire the view on the way to Balmoral. She is also supposed to have demanded he stop while she was eating, refusing to dine on-the-go
A mysterious donor is behind the renovation project, expected to cost up to £1million. A member of staff is pictured repainting the delicate gold exterior
Helen de Saram, conservator and collections manager at the National Railway Museum (members of staff pictured), said: ‘Queen Victoria’s Saloon is loved by visitors from all over the world and is undoubtedly one of the museum’s most popular attractions. ‘However, despite being well cared for, the years are beginning to show, and cracks were appearing in the panelling, Shellac is peeling and yellowing, and the paint had faded’
Ms de Saram added: ‘It is very exciting to be able to restore this royal treasure back to its former glory, using a combination of the latest materials and techniques as well as traditional craft skills.’
The National Railway Museum in York (pictured) is home to some of the oldest and newest, most advanced trains in the UK