Queen of Scots (train)

The Queen of Scots was a named luxury touring train that ran exclusive tours around Scotland's scenic countryside. The train was mostly aimed at American tourists. The Train ran from 1985 to 1989 as the Royal Scotsman and in 1990 as The Queen of Scots. Purchased by Richard Edmondson of Hunter Group as three individual vehicles, the Observation Car was acquired from Sir William Mc Alpine, the Dining Saloon was in use as part of a house on the south coast of England and the Family Saloon was purchased from the then British Railways in 1972. Additionally, three former British Rail MK1 Sleeping Cars and two MK1 day cars converted for Sleeping use were added, making a nine coach Train. Fully restored by 1985, it was leased to the L&R Leisure Group to operate as The Royal Scotsman, a role in continued to fulfill until 1989 when L&R made an enquiry regarding outright purchase of the Train.

The Train's owner, Richard Edmondson had refused to sell which left L&R with little choice but to purchase a replacement Train, a task which was accomplished over the winter of 1989/90. With the replacement Royal Scotsman now formed by mostly steel bodied vehicles, the original wooden bodied vintage cars were relaunched as The Queen of Scots, with both Trains departing Edinburgh on tours of the Scottish Highlands during the summer of 1990. Unfortunately, that same year, the Gulf war broke out and large numbers of American tourists ceased travelling to the UK which left bookings for both Trains short of expectations.

Richard Edmondson decided to withdraw The Queen of Scots from traffic, remove the steel-bodied Sleeping Cars and store the three vintage vehicles at a private site in Sussex. The Sleeping Cars travelled far and wide, being moved around the various heritage railways, mostly to provide staff sleeping accommodation. Three years would pass before the Train would re-enter traffic but this time, minus the Sleeping Cars, it's intended use now being to offer single day charters to bespoke intineraries as dictated by the customer.

Between 1994 and 2007 use of the Train was sporadic, the three vintage cars together with the MK1 staff / generator coach were based in the carriage shed at Clapham Junction, a far cry it would seem from its days touring the glorious scenery of the Scottish Highlands. One regular job for the Train throughout this period was Ladies Day at Royal Ascot where a departure from London Waterloo ran through to Alton, Hampshire before returning via Bagshot and Camberley to Ascot. This lengthy route was to allow time for a relaxed Champagne breakfast to be served. Similarly in the evening, a five course dinner was served, again with the Train operating via Alton.

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Wikipedia