Great Western Coffee Shop

Union flags on public buildings should be flown at half mast, and many were lowered promptly as soon as the announcement was made. Presumably Union flags on private property should also be flown at half mast, I lowered the flag of a neighbour on hearing the news, as they are away.

But what about other flags ? Thinking here about several families of Ukrainian refugees near me. They normally fly their own national flag, the Union Flag, and a church flag.

They asked me what to do, and I suggested that all three flags be flown at half mast, but is this in fact the correct way to proceed ?  Corrections welcomed.

After the death of The Queen at Balmoral this afternoon (September 8), Operation Unicorn, the formal plan for what happens if the monarch dies in Scotland, will be beginning to be put into place. It has previously been reported that the Queen's body will be returned to Buckingham Palace on the Royal Train.

If this is confirmed, large crowds can be expected along the route which is likely to be along the classic East Coast Main Line route along the spine of the country. The final part of the route from Hitchin to King's Cross where the train will arrive, was the same route she used later in life when between her homes in London and Sandringham.

The Royal Train procession is expected to be very slow so people along the route can pay homage and share tributes. Level crossings, bridges and embankments are expected to be so overwhelmed with floral tributes that The Guardian reports railway officials plan to send a sweeper train behind to clear and tidy up the tracks behind it.

There will be a high police presence from local police forces and the British Transport Police with part of King's Cross station to be closed off to the public to allow for the Queen's transfer off the train.

It's being reported widely this morning that HM The Queen will be returned to London by air. Although there has been no official announcement either way.

National flags and ensigns flown at half mast is a mark of respect

From Wikipedia "The tradition of flying the flag at half-mast began in the 17th century. According to some sources, the flag is lowered to make room for an "invisible flag of death" flying above".

And the HM Gov website has info https://www.gov.uk/government/news/death-of-her-majesty-the-queen#:~:text=Half%2Dmast%20means%20the%20flag,not%20be%20flown%20at%20all.

Regretable in my view, rail would almost certainly be greener.
I can understand the use of air transport when HM was gravely ill and relatives wanted to be present urgently, but an extra few hours by rail is now much less important.

I should imagine the security and logistical costs of using a plane would be a fraction of using the railway?  If rail was chosen, then there's the security risk and personal risks of trespassing as well as potential delay to other services. 

Though using rail would mean many more members of the public would have the chance to pay their respects in person as the train made its way down to London.

The date of the Royal funeral is yet to be announced, but it HAS been stated that the day of the funeral will be an additional public holiday.

The date of the Royal funeral is yet to be announced, but it HAS been stated that the day of the funeral will be an additional public holiday.

• Rail industry warns that services and stations are likely to be extremely busy over next nine days
• Some changes to ticketing arrangements related to commemorations of the death of Her Majesty the Queen

The rail industry is working hard to ensure that the public can travel safely to pay their respects to Her Majesty the Queen during the official mourning period and particularly on the day of the funeral, but warns that services and stations are likely to be extremely busy.

Jason Webb, the Rail Delivery Group’s Customer Information Director, said: “Understandably, many people wish to pay their respects to Her Majesty the Queen during this period of national mourning. On the day of the funeral, Monday 19 September, people should plan carefully the timing of their journey home as trains and stations are likely to be extremely busy.”

It will not be possible to view both the funeral in London and travel to Windsor, where Her Majesty the Queen will be laid to rest. People should plan to view one or the other and allow plenty of time to travel to either location.

Mourning period ticketing policy

Anytime, off peak and super off peak ticket holders will be able to get fee-free refunds on tickets which have been purchased before the announcement of Her Majesty the Queen’s death on 8 September. The up to £10 admin fee will be waived. 

Note that the policy of third party retailers and open access operators, including Grand Central, Heathrow Express and First Hull Trains, may differ. See their websites for further information.     

Advance tickets will be refundable in line with the existing “Book with Confidence” scheme, meaning they can be changed or refunded for a voucher up to 6pm the evening before.

This avoids passengers whose plans change or who decide not to travel because of the commemorations of the Queen’s death losing money as a result of changing their journey plans. It will also help to free up capacity on trains which we expect to be very busy during the mourning period due to large numbers wishing to travel to formal events, especially in London.

As in many towns and cities today, the proclamation of the Accession of the King was announced on the steps of Swindon Borough Council's offices at lunchtime.  As part of the event the ceremonial mace is held inverted as a mark of respect.

Taken by my friend Jack Boskett, I believe.  He tells the story about this day that he got quite a stare of disapproval from HM.  He asked one of the flunkies why this would be; he'd photographed Queen Elizabeth II several times, often at railway events.  He got the reply that it was because of his tan shoes and blue suit combo.

It's been confirmed that the funeral will take place on Monday 19th.

Also confirmed that her body will be flown to London, accompanied by The Princess Royal.

Royal Train: Rail industry insiders have explained why East Coast Main Line will not be used to transport Queen's coffin - and when the plans changed

From the Yorkshire Post (https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/transport/royal-train-rail-industry-insiders-have-explained-why-east-coast-main-line-will-not-be-used-to-transport-queens-coffin-and-when-the-plans-changed-3839694)

Not able to read the above newspaper report without a subscription, would anyone be able to summarise the reasons for not using the royal train.

Don't be misled by the headline. Really, the "insiders" were just Nigel Harris (Rail magazine editor) and Christian Wolmar (in quotes lifted from The Spectator), retailing industry rumours. No doubt those two are relatively well connected and thus informed, but I was not convinced they knew "it".

I'd got as far as realising that policing a railway line can't be done like a trunk road, and what we've just seen along the A40 bears that our. A crowd on a road can be seen from police vehicles, in advance and escorting, and they (especially the motorbikes) can get to anywhere they are needed. But you just can't do that along a railway.