Train Force One: Inside the luxury rail service world leaders use to visit Ukraine like Biden just did

Aditi BharadeFeb 21, 2023, 14:02 IST

President Joe Biden on a Ukrainian took a nearly 10-hour train ride from Poland into Kyiv.AP Photo/Evan Vucci

President Joe Biden made a surprise visit in Kyiv on Monday, travelling 10 hours by train.
He went from Poland on Ukraine's state rail service, which nicknamed his car Train Force One.

President Joe Biden made a daring surprise visit to Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Monday, a striking display of US support despite concerns about his security.

His journey involved a nearly 10-hour overnight train ride from neighboring Poland via Ukrzaliznytsia, the Ukrainian state-owned rail company.

The train service has ferried leaders to and from Kyiv, where it is seen as too risky to approach by plane. Here's a look inside.

President Biden made his secret 10-hour journey to Kyiv on board the Ukraine's state-owed rail service, in a luxury compartment.

President Joe Biden with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday 20 February.Evan Vucci/AP Photo

The president signed a thank-you note from the train service, which it posted on its Facebook. In the same post, Ukrzaliznytsia nicknamed the service 'Train Force One.'

Biden signed a note to the Ukrainian Railways.Ukrainian Railways/Facebook

Biden, nicknamed "Amtrak Joe", is a famous lover of train travel and is a strong supporter of America's railroads.

President Joe Biden arrives in Kyiv after an overnight journey on Monday, February 20, 2023.AP Photo/Evan Vucci

The Ukrainian Railways, painted with the blue and yellow of the country's flag, is a state-owned railway service which is currently the most reliable way in to the country. VIP visitors get a special service.

Train driver Vasyl poses in his train at Przemysl train station, Poland in June after driving the heads of state of France, Germany and Italy from Poland to Ukraine and back.Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP

The Ukrainian Railways, painted with the blue and yellow of the country's flag, is a state-owned railway service which is currently the most reliable way in to the country. VIP visitors get a special service.

Here is another high-powered trip from June 2022, in a different carriage to Biden's but with similar fittings. In the photo are Mario Dragi, then the Italian prime minister, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi (left), French President Emmanuel Macron (center), and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (right) on the train to Kyiv in June 2022.Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP

Here is another high-powered trip from June 2022, in a different carriage to Biden's but with similar fittings. In the photo are Mario Dragi, then the Italian prime minister, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Ukraine in April last year, when she made a trip to a mass grave in the town of Bucha, northwest of Kyiv.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pictured near a Ukrainian train.EU Commission/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Here is a view inside a very plush cabin, showing the president of Finland, Sauli Niinisto, in January.

The president of Finland, Sauli Niinisto, travelled to Kyiv on the train in January.Ukrainian Railways/Facebook

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife Iriana also rode the train on their way to Kyiv last June.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife Iriana in Poland.Indonesian Presidential Palace via AP

The service posted a picture of ex-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Facebook a few months after he resigned from his post in September. The service called him "an iron friend of Ukrzaliznytsia and all Ukrainians."

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on board the Ukrainian Railways.Ukrainian Railways/Facebook

The service posted a picture of ex-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Facebook a few months after he resigned from his post in September. The service called him "an iron friend of Ukrzaliznytsia and all Ukrainians."

Another view inside Ukraine's VIP service shows Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with rail staff on a visit in May 2022.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with rail staff on board the Ukrainian Railways.Ukrainian Railways/Facebook

Two weeks after toxic chemicals burned on a derailed train, Ohio residents fear for their safety. Here's what we know about the crash.

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Train Force One: Inside the luxury rail service world leaders use to visit Ukraine like Biden just did

President Biden made his secret 10-hour journey to Kyiv on board the Ukraine's state-owed rail service, in a luxury compartment.

The president signed a thank-you note from the train service, which it posted on its Facebook. In the same post, Ukrzaliznytsia nicknamed the service 'Train Force One.'

Biden, nicknamed "Amtrak Joe", is a famous lover of train travel and is a strong supporter of America's railroads.

The Ukrainian Railways, painted with the blue and yellow of the country's flag, is a state-owned railway service which is currently the most reliable way in to the country. VIP visitors get a special service.

Here is another high-powered trip from June 2022, in a different carriage to Biden's but with similar fittings. In the photo are Mario Dragi, then the Italian prime minister, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Ukraine in April last year, when she made a trip to a mass grave in the town of Bucha, northwest of Kyiv.

Here is a view inside a very plush cabin, showing the president of Finland, Sauli Niinisto, in January.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife Iriana also rode the train on their way to Kyiv last June.

The service posted a picture of ex-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Facebook a few months after he resigned from his post in September. The service called him "an iron friend of Ukrzaliznytsia and all Ukrainians."

Another view inside Ukraine's VIP service shows Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with rail staff on a visit in May 2022.