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On September 9, the day that the Queen became our longest-reigning monarch, Alistair Lexden had a letter published in The Daily Telegraph which highlighted the symbolic significance of her rail journey.
SIR--Nothing could be more appropriate than the Queen’s journey by steam train today, as she becomes Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
Part of the stretch of railway in the Scottish Borders that she is to reopen was used by her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, when she travelled overnight from Balmoral to Windsor for her Diamond Jubilee in June 1897, having recently overtaken her grandfather George III who reigned for just under 60 years.
Along much of the route the railway tracks were lined throughout the night by large crowds “who knew they would not see their beloved Queen, but were glad to see the train which carried her along”, as Lord Balcarres noted in his diary, adding that she was “more moved” by these silent demonstrations “than by any of the numerous stirring events which have marked the celebrations”. Then, as now, public affection was intense.
Lord Lexden
London SW1