In 1864, the year of his coronation, Ludwig took possession of the Royal train from his father Maximilian II. He had the train extended and refurbished into a state train worthy of a king: in 1865, he ordered the open terrace coach, and in 1868 had the front section of the saloon coach, which had been built for his father, decorated and a crown mounted on the roof. A short time later, he commissioned the refurbishment of the interior. The work was completed in 1870.

As Ludwig wished, the saloon coach was designed in the style of Louis XIV of France. The splendid decorative work was designed by Franz Seitz, who had also been involved in the construction of other buildings owned by the Bavarian King. The interior of the coach is divided into four compartments. The adjutants’ room, which was reserved for his personal attendants, is the smallest room. Then follow the main saloon, the sleeping cabin and a toilet cabin.

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Main saloon

The main saloon is the most magnificent room in the saloon coach. The walls, furniture and fittings are richly gilded and covered with precious Atlas silk. The light mounted in the centre of the ceiling panel depicts the “sun” and is a reference to the “Sun King”, Louis XIV of France. Individual floral ornaments are also a reference to the man Ludwig II greatly admired. They show a stylised lily based on the French coat of arms. The lily also decorates the exterior of the train.

Ceiling panel in the main saloon

The ceiling panel was painted by Rudolf Seitz, one of Franz Seitz’ sons. The large picture in the centre shows four globes, representing the four points of the compass. In the North representing Europe, two children are depicted wearing fur coats, with icebergs in the background. In the South, two lightly clad black children represent sunny Africa. The West, or America, is symbolised by two Red Indian children wearing feathers in the hair and leather loincloths. The East, or Asia, is represented by two children wearing traditional Chinese and Persian clothing. The picture also includes four paintings in the corners, which represent allegories of the four seasons.

Operation of Ludwig II’s Royal train

Ludwigs II’s Royal train comprised eight coaches in 1876. In addition to the saloon and the terrace coaches, there were two coaches for his travel commissioner and retinue, a servants’ car, a luggage van and two kitchen cars. Only drawings and photos now exist of these coaches.

Very little is actually known about the journeys Ludwig made with the Royal train. It is recorded, however, that he travelled on the train in 1866 on his famous journey through Franconia. At that time, however, the saloon coach was still in its original condition.

In later years, Ludwig travelled incognito on a number of occasions. Since his Royal train was too conspicuous for such journeys, he initially travelled on coaches that “were used for general transport purposes”. Then in 1876, the construction of an “incognito train” was commissioned. 

After Ludwig’s death in 1886

Following his death, Ludwigs II’s Royal train remained in operating condition until 1918. It seems to have continued to be used, as all the coaches were modernised between 1891 and 1893. During this period, the saloon coach was fitted with bogies and Westinghouse air brakes.

When the monarchy ended, the two state coaches, the saloon coach and the terrace coach, ended up in the Nuremberg Museum of Transport, where they finally came to rest in the vehicle hall of the new museum that was opened in 1925.