'Churchill's Final Journey' Funeral Train Exhibition at the National Railway Museum - 08/04/2015

On 30th January 1965, Sir Winston Churchill, one of Britain's greatest political leaders, passed away at the age of 90. Shortly afterwards, the whole country unanimously decided to pay their last respects by giving the former prime minister the biggest state funeral in history at that time. The world-famous service featured representatives from over 112 countries, and was watched by over 350 million people as it was broadcast live on television.

Firstly, Churchill's body was left in state at Westminster Hall for three days before moving to St Paul's Cathedral on 30th January. After the funeral service, Churchill's coffin was passed up the River Thames from Tower Pier to Festival Pier. The Royal Artillery then made a 19-gun salute before his coffin was taken this time to Waterloo Station. A special funeral train of Pullman Coaches and a hearse van had been assembled and was to be hauled by SR Bullied 'Battle Of Britain' Pacific 34051 'Winston Churchill' to Hanborough, near Oxford. During the journey, thousands of mourners came down to the stations and lineside and stood in silence to pay their last respects. At Hanborough, Churchill was finally moved to his family plot at St Martin's Church, Bladon.

To commemorate 50 years since this significant day in both Churchill and Britain's history, the National Railway Museum organised a one-off exhibition for the 50th anniversary of his passing, entitled 'Churchill's Final Journey' Luckily, all of the rolling stock featured in his funeral train survived into preservation, including 34051 'Winston Churchill'. However, the Bullied Pacific had been in desperate need of repair and cosmetic attention for many years, so the decision was taken to cosmetically restore 34051 to how it would've appeared during the run in 2014, which was completed in time for the anniversary the following year. Also receiving cosmetic attention was the luggage van that carried Churchill's coffin, SR Gangwayed Bogie Luggage Van S2464S. The van had been on display in the US for many years but was repatriated in 2007 by the Swanage Railway and restored at Locomotion: NRM Shildon last year. Also on display was one of the original Pullman Cars 'Lydia' as well as several notice boards indicating Churchill's life and history.

In this video, the primary focus is the exhibit and the locomotive, but we also take a quick look at some other famous exhibits of the NRM. I hope you all enjoy the video. Feel free to comment and subscribe!

Dedicated to the life of Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill: 1874 - 1965

[MiRailOfficial]

i really want to see this, I wonder when 34051 will be back in steam, what line would she go to. What line would you wanna see her at. Matt