ROMANOV FAMILY: INSIDE IMPERIAL TRAIN

Tsar Nicholas II looking out of the window of the Romanov family imperial train — Tsar Nicholas II looking out of the window of imperial train

The Domestic Imperial Train of Nicholas II (there was also an Imperial train exclusively for international travel) was built between 1894-96 in the main Car Workshops of the Nikolaevsky Railway Company. The train was adapted and expanded throughout his reign as the family grew and needs increased.

The Imperial train was immortalized by Fabergé as the surprise of the “Trans-Siberian Railway Egg” of 1900.

By 1902, the train consisted of ten carriages: a sleeping-car for the Emperor and Empress, a saloon car, a kitchen, a dining car, carriages intended for the grand dukes and other family, the children’s car, cars for the Emperor’s retinue, as well as cars for railway servicemen, servants, luggage and workshops. The final and eleventh car, a fully dedicated chapel, was consecrated in 1899.

Grand duchesses inside the Romanov family train — Grand duchesses looking out the windows of the Romanov family train

“On the train. Got up at 9 o’cl. in the morning. Had tea in the dining room. Had breakfast alone with Mama and Aleksei. Had breakfast, dinner and tea all together… After tea sat at Mama’s for a little while, then at Isa’s and Nastenka’s, and worked. After dinner Papa received the nobility at the station while we watched from the train window…”

~From the diary of Tatiana Romanov~

“It was so cozy to sleep in the train, but only a little too cool, since [we] woke up early… “
~From the diary of Olga Romanov~

“It was so cozy to sleep on the train for 2 nights, and especially this one, right here at the station, and not at home I was able to fall asleep before the stop. From Chudov to Novgorod, where we are changing the route to a new one. And the train is moving very quietly the whole time.”

~From the diary of Olga Romanov~

“We 4 with Mama had breakfast on the train on the way to the city… Tea on the train with Viktor Erastovich.”

~From the diary of Olga Romanov~

Empress Alexandra, and Tsarevich Alexei inside the Romanov family train with Grand Duchess Olga looking in.

Empress Alexandra, Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarevich Alexei inside the Romanov family train

“On the train. We all got up late… Then had breakfast with Mama, Aunt Ella and Maria. Papa had a big breakfast… After dinner [I] sat with Mama, smoked. She is very tired, and the train keeps jolting her. May God save her.”

~From the diary of Olga Romanov~