In late August 1855, Prince Albert and Queen Victoria embarked on a state visit to France. This photograph depicts the engine and coal wagon used by the royal train that transported Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on the Chemin de fer du Nord line during their trip.

Chemin de fer du Nord was a rail company established in 1845 and was responsible for expanding railway travel throughout France.  In 1855, Édouard Baldus was commissioned to take photographs of the royal train and landmarks on the Nord line. The photographs were compiled into an album presented to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a memento of the state visit.