The Guardian
The Queen wants a £30m Eurostar-style royal train so she can zip through the Channel tunnel as well as travel in style across her realm, it was disclosed yesterday.
The royal family is planning to dump the plane for the train on state visits to Europe and wants a modern design to replace the 32-year-old carriages that make up the existing train.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story ... 48,00.html
I would guess this would need to be based on the Eurostar design, perhaps using one of the existing but unused North of London sets. However, the design would need to satisfy exacting requirements: ability to use many different power systems, both in Britain (third rail and ac overhead) and the other side of the tunnel.
It would also need the capability of being diesel hauled on non-electrified lines in Britain. Can an existing Eurostar, even a shortened version, pass on minor lines in Britain? I wonder if these specifications can be satisfied within the £30 million budget?
The Queen wants a £30m Eurostar-style royal train so she can zip through the Channel tunnel as well as travel in style across her realm, it was disclosed yesterday.
The royal family is planning to dump the plane for the train on state visits to Europe and wants a modern design to replace the 32-year-old carriages that make up the existing train.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story ... 48,00.html
I would guess this would need to be based on the Eurostar design, perhaps using one of the existing but unused North of London sets. However, the design would need to satisfy exacting requirements: ability to use many different power systems, both in Britain (third rail and ac overhead) and the other side of the tunnel.
It would also need the capability of being diesel hauled on non-electrified lines in Britain. Can an existing Eurostar, even a shortened version, pass on minor lines in Britain? I wonder if these specifications can be satisfied within the £30 million budget?
