Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge have visited Batley as part of their Royal Train Tour

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met volunteers at Batley Community Centre on Monday during a nationwide tour.
Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Batley Community CentrePrince William and the Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Batley Community Centre
Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Batley Community Centre

Prince William and the Duchess are spending three days aboard the Royal Train as they travel around the UK meeting people who have helped others during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Monday afternoon they arrived at Batley Community Centre, having already visited Edinburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed earlier in the day.

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They met volunteers who have supported elderly residents by sending cards, arranging phone calls and collecting shopping for them.

The Duke and Duchess met volunteers at the centreThe Duke and Duchess met volunteers at the centre
The Duke and Duchess met volunteers at the centre

They also spoke to local man Len Gardner, whom the Duchess has previously telephoned as part of the NHS Check In and Chat scheme.

There was a performance by members of the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band.

The tour began when the couple departed London Euston on Sunday night, but aides are not publicising stops in advance to prevent crowds gathering.

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They will cover 1,250 miles and meet frontline workers, care home staff, teachers and children.

Local artists and groups have been chosen to perform as a gesture of support for the cultural sector.

What is the Royal Train and how often is it used?

There has been a Royal Train since Queen Victoria's reign, but it has undergone many changes over the years.

It is now hauled by two diesels owned by freight company DB Cargo when it is required by the Queen or other senior royals.

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When not part of the Royal Train, the two locomotives are available for regular freight workings and driver training. They also often act as the 'Thunderbird' rescue locomotive, which is on standby to haul trains which have broken down.

The permanent Royal Train consists only of nine specially-fitted sleeper, dining and lounge carriages owned by Network Rail, and locomotives are supplied by DB Cargo on request. Prior to 1977, individual railway companies kept their own carriages for VIP use. The coaches date from 1977-87 and are stored at the Wolverton Works depot near Milton Keynes when not in use.

Only the Queen and Prince Charles can command use of the Royal Train, although it has sometimes been use to transport other VIPs, such as heads of state.

The drivers of the Royal Train are selected based on their skills, including whether they can stop within six inches of a designated position. It has a 100mph speed limit.

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The two Class 67 diesels currently used to operate the train went into service in 2003, and are painted in the claret livery of the royal household. They are named Queen's Messenger and Royal Sovereign. Another unit, Diamond Jubilee, was allocated for occasional royal duties in 2012.

Steam locomotives have been used to haul the Royal Train on special occasions, such as in 2005 when the preserved Duchess of Sutherland pulled the carriages over the Settle to Carlisle line carrying Prince Charles.

Use of the Royal Train has declined in recent years for economical reasons, and members of the Royal Family often travel on scheduled services instead.

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