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ustria’s only genuine luxury train was the Court Salon Train
of the imperial family. However, monarchs travel not only for
their own enjoyment but often for political reasons. Therefore
the "Imperial Train", as it was called, soon took on something of
a political function. Not only did the emperor and members of
the court use it, but it was also provided to the rulers of friendly
nations. And even though Emperor Franz Joseph himself was a
modest man who shunned exaggerated protocol, he was very
well aware of his public responsibilities as a monarch over a vast
empire encompassing many languages and cultures. Some of these
responsibilities outweighed his personal preference for simplicity
and modesty. He also knew that his tasks included representation
and that he had to demonstrate his country’s power and strength.
He therefore often traveled for political and diplomatic reasons. As a
matter of course, he also journeyed to the openings of new railroad
lines. In 1860, for example, he inaugurated the Kaiserin Elisabeth-
Westbahn together with Maximilian II of Bavaria. In 1884 he opened
the Arlberg Railroad, and in 1905, the Tauern Railroad.
A
Program for the Journey of the Emperor to Bosnia and Herzegovina