"The Queen" Locomotive

THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION WAS IN full swing when “The Queen,” the early steam locomotive that transported Queen Victoria between Windsor and London, was constructed. In fact, Victoria was the first British monarch to travel by rail, making her maiden voyage on June 13, 1842.

During her long reign, from 1837 to 1901, Victoria traveled by train dozens of times. This was quite adventurous for the queen, considering train travel was relatively new and dangerous at the time. Many deaths and injuries were reported from the tracks in 1842 alone.

Today a full-size replica of a Great Western Railway class steam locomotive No. 3041, is permanently parked at Windsor & Eton Central Railway Station. Named “The Queen,” black engine is adorned with the regal flourishes and features seen on the original machine, including the Royal Coat of Arms and the loco’s name inscribed along the side.

The recreation of Queen Victoria’s Royal Train was displayed in the late 1980s and early ’90s in an exhibition called Royalty and Railways (renamed Royalty and Empire) at the Windsor Royal Shopping complex in the newly restored railway station. It was too expensive to remove the locomotive after the exhibit closed, however, so there it remains today.

"The Queen" Locomotive

15 Comments CherryPie on Aug 11th 2022

15 Responses to ““The Queen” Locomotive – Windsor”

  1. I did a rather long walk in Windsor a few years ago.
    It was very enjoyable to walk along the Thames.

  2. lisl says:

    That takes some polishing, Cherie!

  3. Shabana says:

    Wow this is interesting and informative sharing dear Cheri.

    I knew about train beginning but did not know that there were many injuries in the beginning sadly

  4. Ayush says:

    the regalia is quite sizable, CP.

  5. Mandy says:

    I had no idea that Victoria was the first monarch to travel by rail – I mean, of course she was but it’s interesting to think about how much the world changed in the last 200 years.

    I’ve spent the morning catching up on your blog posts about Tewkesbury and Windsor. I haven’t been to either but I think I’d really enjoy the Medieval festival. I love that period in history with the War of the Roses

    • Mandy says:

      P.S. I went to the National Railway Museum in York and they have various train carriages furnished to show how each of the monarchs enjoyed them. I should blog about it!

    • CherryPie says:

      I think you would love both places, they both have their own charm. I actually prefer Tewkesbury when the Mediaeval Festival isn’t taking place.

      I look forward to seeing your blog about the National Railway Museum in York.