ROYAL train steward Bob Bigsby went to Buckingham Palace yesterday to receive an honour from the Queen.

Mr Bigsby, 47, who served on the train that carried members of the Royal Family to Althorp, Northants, for the burial of Diana, Princess of Wales, was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal (Silver).

Mr Bigsby has spent 25 years serving aboard the royal train as deputy chief steward. He also works for Virgin Trains on the London to Glasgow service and worked for the old British Rail before that.

But Bob, who lives with his wife and children at Mendip Avenue, Langney, Eastbourne, remained diplomatic about his royal duties.

He said: "One day I am serving passengers on the West Coast main line trains and the next day it could be a member of the Royal Family.

"It has been an honour to work on the royal train and it was a fantastic day for me and my wife and children."

Of his feelings when he worked on the royal train after Princess Diana's death, Mr Bigsby said: "All I can say is that it was a very sad journey."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.