Overview

• Treasurer James Chalmers announced the royal train will be withdrawn from service beginning in 2026 as part of a fiscal discipline drive
• The nine-carriage convoy has faced sparse use, with only two journeys in the past year costing about £40,000 each
• The monarchy will shift official travel to two newly acquired helicopters to improve efficiency and cut upkeep costs
• Preliminary plans call for the decommissioned train to be preserved and displayed as a public exhibit similar to the Britannia yacht
• The move fits into a wider effort to streamline royal finances, following other asset retirements and ahead of planned Buckingham Palace renovations