The decision, taken jointly by the Palace and the police, was apparently the result of fears that the passing of the train down the East Coast Main Line would create unprecedented policing problems.

As of mid-2025, the British Royal Train has been officially decommissioned and is no longer in active service. The decision to scrap the train, which had been used by the monarchy for over 150 years, was made by King Charles III as part of a broader effort to modernize the monarchy and reduce unnecessary royal expenditures. The train, consisting of nine dedicated carriages, was found to be extremely expensive to maintain and run, with costs for just a few journeys per year often exceeding £90,000. Additionally, the King reportedly views the train as an outdated and environmentally inefficient mode of transport compared to modern alternatives. While the train was famously used by the late Queen Elizabeth II for overnight stays during national tours, the Royal Family now favors more cost-effective options, such as scheduled commercial rail services or helicopters for shorter trips, marking the end of a long-standing tradition of private royal rail travel.