During the evening of 21st May 1891, Queen Victoria made her first ever journey along the Settle & Carlisle line while en-route from Derby (where she'd officially opened the new Infirmary) to Balmoral (the Royal Family's Highland home). The journey included a brief (5 minute) stop at Hellifield station for a change of motive power, but the Queen almost certainly remained on board the train. The Royal carriages were supplied by the London & North Western Railway (L&NWR), which normally conveyed members of the Royal Family between Windsor and Balmoral via its West Coast route.
In advance of this historic journey, the Midland Railway Company (MR) conducted a trial run in both directions using the L&NWR rolling stock. For the trial run only, an MR officers' saloon was attached to the train formation and it was occupied by a number of senior MR officials including Mr. W. L. Mugliston (superintendent of the line), Mr. Eaton (assistant superintendent), Mr. Johnson (locomotive superintendent), Mr. G. Mellor, Mr. Osborne, Mr. Argyle (engineer of the Northern section of the Midland), Mr. W. H. Adams, Mr. H. Loveday (chief traffic inspector of the Midland), Mr. Loveday, jun., and Mr. Scottorn (the company’s photographer).
Image Gallery[1]
The three official photographs in this image gallery were almost certainly taken by Mr. Scottorn when the train stopped at Hellifield station for a change of motive power during the northbound leg of the trial run on 26th April 1891.
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Newspaper accounts[2]
The newspaper reports transcribed below provide a wealth of fascinating information relating to this Royal Train and its journeys along the Settle & Carlisle Railway during the spring of 1891.
Sheffield Independent, Monday 20 April 1891
THE ROYAL VISIT TO DERBY.
INTERESTING ANNOUNCEMENT.
TRAIN ARRANGEMENTS.
We are enabled to state definitely what the train arrangements are for the approaching Royal visit to Derby, which takes place on Thursday, May 21st. The London and North-Western Railway Company are lending to the Midland Railway Company their Royal vehicles. The route from Windsor is via Nuneaton, Ashby, and Burton, and the train is due to arrive at Derby at five o'clock, and will leave at seven. From Derby to Normanton there will be no stoppage, but at the latter station five minutes is allowed. The next run is to Hellifield, where 25 minutes' stoppage is made to allow for refreshments, thence through to Carlisle. A Midland engine will work from Derby to Carlisle, and the Royal train will be preceded by a pilot engine 15 minutes in front. No train is to be allowed to cross or interfere with the main line after the pilot engine has passed. Goods trains in the opposite direction are to stand 20 minutes before the time the Royal train is due Passenger trains going in the opposite direction are to be reduced to a speed of ten miles an hour when passing the Royal vehicles. Attached to her Majesty's train will be an American patent instrument for sending a telegram from any point of the route. The train will arrive and depart from the No. 1 platform at Derby.The Mayor of Derby (Mr. A. Seale Haslam, J. P.) has received a communication of peculiar interest from Sir Henry Ponsonby, writing on behalf of her Majesty. It appears that the Queen has signified her intention of sending down State carriages for the use of herself and any members of the Royal Family who may accompany her, as well as the members of her suite. It has been further intimated that an imposing guard of honour will be supplied for the occasion, and that it will consist of a picked body of mounted troops. Nothing, however, of a definite character has been received concerning her Majesty's probable movements.
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal, Friday 01 May 1891
THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO DERBY
THE ROYAL TRAIN
Arrangements for the Royal journey to Scotland have now been completed. As many of our readers are aware the Queen invariably occupies the same carriages during her journeys to and from Balmoral, and these carriages belong to the London and North Western Railway Company, by whose route she nearly always proceeds as far as the Scottish border. On the approaching visit of Her Majesty to Derby, she will, however depart from her usual custom, and travel a part of the journey, viz., from Derby to Carlisle, by the wonderfully picturesque and romantic route traversed by the Midland Railway. Special preparations have therefore been made by the Midland officials for the Queen’s journey on the 21st of May, everything which special knowledge and extended experience can suggest having been done to secure Her Majesty from the slightest inconvenience or mishap. The Queen and her suite will travel by the special carriages constructed by the North-Western Company for their accommodation many years ago. These carriages were taken over the route as far as Carlisle, on Sunday, and a good many persons had an opportunity of seeing the train at Derby station. It had been brought from Wolverton, where it is always kept when not required for the Royal use, and was joined by the Midland officials at Nuneaton, from whence it proceeded via Burton-on-Trent to Derby. It was drawn by a fine engine called the Coptic, belonging to the North Western Company. Behind the engine were five coaches, chiefly sleeping compartments, and then came the two Royal carriages, which are combined by a gangway not perceptible in the interior. These are followed by a splendid saloon carriage, four coaches, and a carriage truck. The Queen’s compartments are handsomely and conveniently, but not luxuriously, furnished, and, indeed, bespeak a simplicity of taste quite surprising for a personage of her exalted rank and station. They are upholstered in blue silk, the ceiling being treated similarly with grey figured silk, and the cornices over the windows are enriched with gold trimmings. The first coach contains Her Majesty’s sleeping compartment, with beds for the Queen herself and the Princess Beatrice. There is also sleeping accommodation adjoining for her female attendants. The day room occupies the greater portion of the second carriage, although space is left for the male attendants. The day room contains two or three small tables, a settee, and chairs, the furniture being upholstered in blue figured silk. The Queen usually occupies a seat near to a table which stands close to the window in the day-time, from which position she can easily communicate with her attendants by means of electric bells. Immediately behind these compartments there is a handsomely fitted saloon carriage, upholstered in red silk, with figured grey silk on the ceiling. The train arrived at Derby station about ten minutes past eleven on Sunday and final arrangements were made for her Majesty’s carriage to stop immediately opposite the directors’ entrance. Here Her Majesty will alight, and will be escorted into the Hotel space between the station and the Midland where the State carriages will be in waiting. The North-Western engine was taken from the train, and the Midland company’s splendid engine, "The Beatrice," was attached to it. This engine was designed by Mr. Johnson, locomotive superintendent, and was exhibited at the Paris Exhibition in 1888. It will be used for the Queen’s journey on the 21st, and will be in charge of two of the most trustworthy and experienced drivers on the Midland system. At the rear of the train on Sunday there was an official saloon with platform behind, in which a number of the Midland officials travelled. Amongst those who did so were Mr. W. L. Mugliston (superintendent of the line), Mr. Eaton (assistant superintendent), Mr. Johnson (locomotive superintendent), Mr. G. Mellor, Mr. Osborne, Mr. Argyle (engineer of the Northern section of the Midland), Mr. W. H. Adams, Mr. H. Loveday (chief traffic inspector of the Midland), Mr. Loveday, jun., Mr. Scottorn (the company's photographer), &c. After remaining on the number one platform about twenty minutes, the train started on the journey northward. Stops were made at Normanton and Hellifield (as they will be when the Royal party are journeying to Scotland), and the train arrived at its destination (Carlisle) to the minute, the distance being done at the rate of 35 miles an hour, which is the speed at which Her Majesty usually travels. The return journey was made the same day, the train arriving at Derby about half-past ten o'clock in the evening. From the special orders made with regard to the Royal journey, we understand that the Queen's train will be preceded by a pilot engine 15 minutes in front. No train will be allowed to cross or interfere with the main line between the passing of the pilot engine and the Royal train. Goods trains proceeding in the opposite direction will become stationary for twenty minutes before the Royal train is due, and passenger trains meeting it are to be reduced to the speed of ten miles an hour whilst passing. As previous notified, the Royal party will travel from Windsor to Nuneaton, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, and Burton to Derby. In the northward journey the Caledonian Company will take charge of the train at Carlisle, and relinquish it at that city on the return journey. It will therefore be seen that the greatest care, prudence, and forethought have been exercised by the officials to ensure Her Majesty a safe, pleasant, and expeditious journey.
Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Tuesday 19 May 1891
THE ROYAL VISIT TO DERBY
Yesterday workmen were engaged early and late in advancing the preparations for the reception of the Queen on Thursday. The town was crowded with holiday people, many of whom had come from outside to inspect the decorations, the chief points of which have already been described in these columns.
The Royal train will leave Windsor at 1.25 on Thursday afternoon, and will pass over the Great Western and North-Railway systems to Nuneaton. There it will pass over the Midland and reach Derby via Burton-on-Trent, arriving at Derby at 5.35. The Midland engine will be attached at Derby. It is called "The Beatrice," and was designed by Mr. W. S. Johnson, locomotive superintendent of the Midland Railway. The train will leave Derby at 7.40, arriving at Normanton at 9.11, and Her Majesty will here stop for refreshments. At 9.30 the journey will be resumed to Hellifield, arriving there at 10.44, and leaving five minutes later for Carlisle, where it is due at 12.46 a.m. The train will then be placed in charge of the Caledonian Company, who will be responsible for its safety as far as Ballater. A pilot engine will precede the Royal train by 15 minutes the whole distance between Nuneaton and Carlisle. The line is to be kept clear 15 minutes before the pilot engine is due, and 30 minutes before the Royal train is expected. Passenger trains on the opposite line are not permitted to pass the Royal train at a greater speed than ten miles an hour, and the drivers are to avoid whistling when in its vicinity. No train is to pass through Hellifield or Normanton during the time the train is there. The stations and the route are also to be clear of the public, except for passengers about to travel in an opposite direction. The Midland Company will run 20 excursions trains into Derby on Thursday and specials will also be run by the Great Northern, the North Western, and the North Staffordshire Companies. In the Infirmary grounds an immense marquee has been erected over the site of the foundation stone. This will contain seating accommodation for upwards of 1,200 persons. Special places are reserved for the Reception Committee, the medical and nursing staffs of the Infirmary, the Press, and others. It is expected that the ceremony here will occupy about 14 minutes
Leeds Mercury, Friday 22 May 1891
THE QUEEN AT NORMANTON.
Last night Her Majesty the Queen and a party of distinguished personages broke the journey from Derby to Balmoral at Normanton joint station. The special train, which was largely composed of saloon carriages, conveying a numerous company, steamed into the station almost punctually at 9.15, and was drawn up in front of the spacious dining saloon on the platform. Refreshments were served in the train to the Royal party, under the superintendence of Mr. Josef Weber, of the New Midland Hotel, Bradford, and after a stay of about fifteen minutes the journey was recommenced. Many persons endeavoured to get a sight of the travellers, but in accordance with instructions received from head-quarters, the station officials cleared the platforms. Mr. Goodman, station-master, and his subordinates took every precaution for the safety and convenience of the distinguished party, and a strong staff of specially retained railway servants guarded the numerous points in and about the station. A body of police-officers from neighbouring districts was also in attendance. While Her Majesty and party remained, as well as for some time prior to the arrival and after the departure, all traffic was suspended.SHIPLEY AND SALTAIRE.
Along the route of the Midland Railway, in the populous district by Windhill and through Shipley and Saltaire, last night, large crowds of people collected to watch for the coming of the Royal train to the north. For some time before and after the passing of the pilot engine, the railway officials, of whom there was a great many on duty, kept the line clear of all traffic, but at some positions they had some difficulty in keeping the people back. In rounding the sharp curve at Shipley the driver shut off steam, and brought the train nearly to a standstill as the junction was passed. There was some disappointment expressed by the crowd that the Queen herself could not be seen, but the magnificent appointments of the Royal train elicited expressions of admiration, though there was only very slight cheering. Shipley and Saltaire people are familiar with Royal visits. The Prince and Princess of Wales and Princess Beatrice have all been at Saltaire, but Her Majesty the Queen has not previously been that way.SKIPTON.
The Royal train containing Her Majesty the Queen passed through Skipton, en route for Balmoral, last night at 10.33½. The train did not stop, and although a few people assembled at the station gates, they were refused admittance, in accordance with the Midland Company's arrangements.CARLISLE.
The Royal train conveying Her Majesty and party to Scotland arrived at Carlisle at 12.44, and left ten minutes later for Ballater.
Carlisle Journal, Friday 22 May 1891
THE QUEEN'S JOURNEY NORTH. - After laying the foundation stone of the new Infirmary at Derby yesterday, the Queen travelled north to Ballater for Balmoral, the Royal train arriving in the Citadel Station at 12.44 this morning, and proceeding on its way after a stop of nine minutes. The route from Derby to Carlisle was over the Midland Company's line, and it is worthy of remark that this is the first occasion on which her Majesty has travelled over the Settle and Carlisle section. The royal saloons and carriages composing the train were, as usual, supplied by the London and North Western Railway Company, over whose line the journey yesterday from Windsor to Derby was made: hence the unique spectacle was presented last night of a train consisting of North-Western rolling stock being run for 178 miles over another company’s line, under the charge of Midland officials and drawn by two Midland engines. The police and other arrangements in the Citadel Station were of the usual character, and, as refreshments had been partaken of at Normanton on the way, nothing had to be done in Carlisle but to change the Midland for Caledonian engines and hand the train over to the charge of the Caledonian officials for the remainder of the route to her Majesty's Highland residence. The Queen and Princess Beatrice occupied the Royal saloons in the centre of the train, the total length of which was 559 feet, exclusive of the locomotives; while in two double saloons on either side of the Queen's travelled Prince Henry of Battenberg, Prince Alexander, Princess Victoria Eugenie, and Prince Leopold of Battenberg. The Home Secretary, Sir H. Ponsonby, and Sir H. Ewart left the train at Derby. The ladies-in-waiting, Indian attendants, dressers, ladies' maids, servants, and directors occupied the nine other saloons and carriages, which, with two brake vans and carriage truck, made a total of 16 vehicles. In order to make sure that the vehicles composing the Royal train would run smoothly and safely over the Midland metals an experimental run to Carlisle was made on Sunday four weeks ago; and after a short interval the train was taken back again on the other line of rails. South of this city the brake used is the vacuum, and north the Westinghouse.
Carlisle Patriot, Friday 22 May 1891
THE QUEEN IN CARLISLE. - Her Majesty the Queen passed through Carlisle on her way from Windsor to Balmoral shortly before one o'clock this (Friday) morning. Her Majesty was accompanied by the Princess Beatrice, Prince Henry of Battenberg, Prince Alexander, Princess Victoria Eugenie, and Prince Leopold Battenberg, and was attended by the Home Secretary, the Countess of Erroll, the Hon. Ethel Cadogan, Miss McNeill, Miss Cochrane, Sir F. Edwards, Lord Edward Clinton, the Hon. A. Yorke, Dr Reid, Mr Muthar, Sir H. Ponsonby, and Sir H. Ewart. Yesterday the Queen travelled from Windsor to Derby, where in the evening she laid the foundation stone of the new infirmary. Shortly before eight she resumed her journey northward, the royal train, for the first time, passing over the Midland system to Carlisle, which was at 12.44 - a couple of minutes before time. Mr Paget, the chairman, the deputy-chairman, and the following officials of the Midland Company travelled with the royal train from Derby to Carlisle - namely, Mr John Noble, the general manager; Mr Mugliston, the general superintendent; Mr Johnson, the locomotive superintendent; Mr Adams, assistant locomotive superintendent; Mr Macdonell, chief engineer; Mr Argyle, assistant engineer; Mr Clayton, of the carriage department; and Mr Langdon, telegraph supertendent [sic]. At Carlisle the engines were changed, and the following officials of the Caledonian Company joined the train:- Mr Kempt, general superintendent; Mr Currer, district superintendent; Mr Lambie, locomotive superintendent; Mr Graham and Mr Dundas, engineers; Mr Williams, of the carriage department; and Mr Dunne, telegraph superintendent. G. P. Neele, general superintendent of the London and North Western Company, travelled with the train from Windsor to Ballater. The arrangements at the Citadel Station, which were of the usual character, were made and carried out by Mr Thomson, the secretary, and Mr Jamieson, the station master. The Chief Constable (Mr Mackay) and a number of the City Police Force were on the platform, from which the public were excluded. None of the Royal party were visible. The trains [sic] which left at 12.55 was timed to reach Perth at 4.52, Aberdeen at 7.29, and Ballater at 9 a.m.
Shipley Times and Express, Saturday 23 May 1891
THE QUEEN'S JOURNEY TO THE NORTH
On Thursday afternoon Her Majesty the Queen laid the foundation-stone of a new Infirmary at Derby, and afterwards made the evening journey to Scotland by the Midland Railway. As is pretty well known, Her Majesty invariably goes north by the London and North Western line, and her suite of railway saloons belong to that company. The people of this part of Yorkshire are familiar with Royal visits - the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1883; and Princess Beatrice and Prince Henry of Battenberg and Indian Princes in 1887 (Jubilee and Exhibition year) - but they have never had an opportunity of seeing the Queen this way. Indeed, in the whole of her long reign, she has not before travelled north on the Midland line. Consequently there was some public excitement and curiosity when it was known that for once in a life-time Her Majesty would pass through Shipley. It is possible that the Midland Railway Company and their patrons - the travelling public - are thankful that such journeys are few and far between, seeing the considerable derangement of traffic that takes place. Very elaborate preparations were made by the Railway Company. Instructions were given that the line must be kept clear 30 minutes before the Royal train was due; passenger and fish trains were allowed to travel on the opposite line between any stations, but the drivers of such trains were not permitted to pass the Royal train at a greater speed than 10 miles an hour, and to avoid whistling when passing by it. Between Derby and Carlisle a pilot engine made the journey 15 minutes in front of the Royal train. The Royal train in which the Queen travelled to and from Derby consisted of ten carriages, two brakes, and a carriage waggon. At Shipley all the usual precautions were taken. Police Inspector Bielby, in his section, had constables watching the railway bridges at Shipley, Windhill, and Saltaire; and Mr Parsons, from the superintendent's office at Derby, who is acting as temporary station-master at Shipley, saw to the "special instructions" being carried out in connection with the line. Platelayers were stationed at speaking distances all along the line, and special attention was paid to facing points. The day signalmen remained on duty until the Royal train had passed, and stationary engines were placed at regular distances, prepared for any emergency. There were eleven of these engines between Leeds and Hellifield, one being stationed in the triangle at Shipley Junction. All trains from Bradford on one side, from Ilkley and from Skipton on the other, were kept waiting until the Royal train had passed, rather to the annoyance of passengers, who don’t care to wait twenty minutes or half-an-hour even for Royalty. Along the route of the line by the district of Windhill, and through Shipley and Saltaire, large crowds of people collected, the nearness of the line to the main roads about Shipley and Saltaire making the privacy, which the "special instructions" enjoin, an impossibility. At some points there was a little difficulty in keeping the people back. The windows of the Shipley Liberal Club, which overlook the line, were thrown open, and the members filled the apertures in their eagerness to see the Royal train. Of course, the hour being late, there was nothing in the way of a demonstration. The pilot engine was timed to pass Saltaire at 9.51 p.m. and the Royal train at 10.6, but as a matter of fact they were about five minutes later, the Shipley Junction being passed at 10.10. In rounding the sharp curve at Shipley the driver shut off steam, and brought the train nearly to a stand-still as the Junction was passed. There was some disappointment expressed by the crowd that the Queen herself could not be seen; but the magnificent appointments of the Royal train elicited expressions of admiration. Though Her Majesty's apartments were darkened by lowered blinds, the splendid interior upholstery of the other carriages could be seen and commented on. It need not be taken as an indication of the absence of loyal feeling that there was no cheering as the Royal train passed. It is one of the instructions to railway officials to prevent cheering when Her Majesty is making a night journey. The Royal train passed through Skipton at 10.33 last night. There was a small crowd outside the station, but the public were rigidly excluded. At Hellifield there was a stay of five minutes. The Royal train arrived at Carlisle at 12.44. and left ten minutes later for Ballater.
(SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.)
The train conveying the Queen and suite to Scotland arrived at Perth at 4-52 this morning. The journey was continued after a brief halt.
The Queen arrived at Ballater at nine o'clock this morning, and proceeded to Balmoral.
Further Reading / Supplemental Information
Details of the Queen's visit to Derby are provided in a long article on pages 4 & 2 of the Friday 22 May 1891 edition of the Derby Daily Telegraph. This can be viewed (by subscribers) on the British Newspaper Archive website via the following links:
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000327/18910522/029/0004
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000327/18910522/029/0002
The two interconnected carriages forming Queen Victoria's Royal Saloon have been preserved and they are normally on public display at the National Railway Museum in York.
Footnotes & Acknowledgements
[1] The photographs in the Image Gallery are reproduced here under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) courtesy of the Midland Railway Study Centre (item number 88-PAL-097).
[2] The newspaper transcripts were produced by Mark R. Harvey from digitised versions of newspapers accessed via the British Newspaper Archive (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/).