Romanovs’ Imperial Train: Rare Photos Show the Inside of the Luxurious Train

Russian Emperor Nicholas II had a luxurious train exclusively built for international travel. It 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. By 1902, the train was completely modified, and it had ten carriages, a sleeping-car for the Emperor and Empress. The train also had a saloon car, a kitchen, a dining car, carriages intended for the grand dukes and other family members. There was a separate section for the children on the train. The final and eleventh car, a fully dedicated chapel, was consecrated in 1899.

Along with luxury and comfort, the train also provided a smooth ride and security. Meanwhile, to determine the number of people accompanying the Emperor in his trips abroad, security compiled a passenger list. Nicholas II used the Imperial train during the First World War. It was a permanent residence of the last Russian Emperor.

During the Russian Civil war, the Bolshevik burned all the trains. The surviving cars were destroyed in 1941, and today in Russia there is no any of the original imperial trains.

#1 Interior view of one of the carriages.

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#2 The walls and furnishings were upholstered, mainly in English cretonne with plant ornaments.

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#3 Part of the dining room on the train.

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#4 Ladies suite.

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#5 Interior view of one of the carriages.

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#6 Ladies suite, maybe for the princesses.

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#7 The panels, ceilings and furniture, made of polished oak, walnut, white and gray beech, maple and Karelian birch, were covered with linoleum and carpets.

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#8 Interior.

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#9 The dining-car on the Imperial train.

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#10 Inside the Romanov family train.

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#11 Office for the maid of honor.

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#12 Bathroom.

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#13 A living room.

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#14 Interior.

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#15 Interior.

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#16 A dining room in the restaurant car.

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#17 Ladies suite.

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#18 The saloon had soft mahogany furniture in the Art Nouveau style. The walls, sofas, armchairs and chairs were lined in striped pistachio curtains; a plush carpet on the floor had a checked design.

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#19 The dining-car.

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#20 The compartment of Nicholas II.

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#21 Interior.

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#22 Restroom.

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#23 The cars painted in dark blue and decorated with gilding looked beautiful. Detail of interior of the Imperial train.

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#24 A dining room in the restaurant car.

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#25 Grand Duchess Anastasia inside the Imperial train in 1916.

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#26 Empress Alexandra, Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarevich Alexei on the train.

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#27 Tsar Nicholas II looking out of the window of the Imperial train.

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#28 Tsar Nicholas II hosting a dinner with his generals on the Imperial train.

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#29 The train was built between 1894-96 in the main Car Workshops of the Nikolaevsky Railway Company.

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#30 The train on Russian railway.

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