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Pullman Car Services Coupé News
“The Quality of Service is Remembered Long After The Price is Forgotten”
December 2009 – CAR No.82. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 1 of 33 Cover Photograph – ©Doug Lindsay Collection. The Pullman Car Company Christmas & New Year Card for 1955 – 1956. The text underneath the cover reads: ‐ “H.M. Queen and members of the Royal Family at Tattenham Corner Station S.R. Derby Day May 25th, 1955”. (Editor’s Note, Pullman Kitchen First ARIES as the back drop). Below the message within the card and personally signed by F.D.M. Harding Managing Director. ©Doug Lindsay Collection. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 2 of 33 Editorial: Welcome to Coupé News No: 82. This is your free newsletter of Pullman related news and material. My thanks to those readers who have supplied articles and images for inclusion within this edition. All I ask of you for the time I spend in production is for you to forward on, either by e‐mail or printing a copy, to any one you may know who will also be interested in reading about matters Pullman. Changing your Email address, or wish to be removed from the mailing list, then Email to the editorial address with your request, it’s as simple as that. Also some readers do not receive copies as published for one reason or another, I do get bounce backs advising that an e‐mail address no longer exists or the mail box full. If by the 5th of each month your copy fails to arrive, please Email the editorial address and I will forward to you the missing edition. The views and articles within this publication are not necessarily those of the editor. Information Required: I will welcome any information on the Pullman car located on your local preserved railway or in use as a static Restaurant, for inclusion within your Coupé News and the Pullman Car Services Archive. Information is for sharing ‐ not gathering dust….. If you have any material for inclusion in No.83, please forward by December 31st 2009. Coupé News No.83 will be published on January 4th 2010. Editorial Address: Terry Bye Pullman Car Services Email: [email protected] Coupé News editions 1 to 81 and all Special Editions can be sourced at: ‐ http://www.semgonline.com/coach/coupe/index.html Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 3 of 33 We remember the Pullman car that was allocated the same schedule number as this edition of Coupé News. Original Name: Third Class Car No.6. Type of Car: Kitchen Third. Into Service: 1917. Original Builder: Pullman Longhedge Works. Pre 1960 Schedule No: 82. Post 1960 Schedule No: 69. Tare: 40t. Covers: 52. Bogies: 2 x 6 wheels. Built during the First World War. Originally started in 1914 for Caledonian Railway and finished for the London Brighton & South Coast Railway. 1931 November. Covers reduced to 48. Date unknown. Covers reduced to 33. 1940. Converted to a Supply Car. 1951 May. Rebuilt and body plated. 1961. Withdrawn. BR(S) No.57. 1961 – 1963. Located to Littleham. 1963 – 1967. Relocated to Birchington. Coupé News ‐ Passengers Reservations List. 245 x Regular First Class Passengers. 3 x Web Sites ‐ Passenger Numbers Unknown. Welcome aboard to the following joining passengers: – John King, A.Woods. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 4 of 33 Free Newsletters and Magazines: MRE Mag. Model Railway Express ‐ Britain's leading FREE online magazine for railway modelers with thrice weekly news and readers' discussion. Also, model and book reviews, classified ads, etc. Over 1,000 readers and published every Monday, Wednesday & Friday by Pat Hammond. Visit www.mremag.com for further detail and information. RAILDATE. The weekly newsletter produced and also published by Howard Sprenger of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society every Friday covering general railway subjects with links to sites for further information visit: ‐ http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/RAILDATE/ Where you can sign up to access the weekly newsletter. RAILWAY HERALD. Railway Herald is a colour magazine that covers today’s railway scene in the UK. Please note this magazine has been updated into a new format, I recommend if you have yet to view this magazine you do so now. Visit www.railwayherald.co.uk for further detail and information. PULLMAN RELATED WEB‐SITES. BritPull Pullmans in Britain. An opportunity to discuss all aspects of Pullman vehicles and their workings in Britain. http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/BritPull/ blue_pullman A group for anyone interested in the British Rail Blue Pullman sets which operated between London and Manchester / Birmingham / South Wales. http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/blue_pullman/ PullmanCompanyResearchers A friendly discussion group for anyone with a genealogical or historical interest in the Pullman Company and their ancestors who were associated with it. Includes Pullman Company, Pullman Car Works, Pullman Palace Car Company, Pullman porters etc. and the town of Pullman near Chicago built for Pullman employees. http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/PullmanCompanyResearchers/ Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 5 of 33 Look Back At Pullman: 1949 – November 60 Years Ago: December 9th. The ‘Up’ working of the “Golden Arrow” hauled by Bulleid Battle of Britain Class Pacific No.34084 “253 Squadron” and eight Pullman cars, the formation being: ‐ Locomotive No.34084 ‘253 Squadron’. Baggage van No.1293. Conflat No.39636. Pullman Car No.99. Pullman Car No 294. Pullman Car Malaga. Pullman Car Onyx. Pullman Car Zenobia. Pullman Car Trianon Bar. Pullman Car Chloria. Pullman Car Flora. Further details on this incident can be found on page 25. THE PULLMAN SOCIETY The Society is dedicated to the study of all aspects of Pullman operations in the British Isles and Continental Europe – and in the United States, where the first cars were built and services began. The society journal “The Golden Way” is published FOUR times a year and this will include a separate Newsletter of breaking news. For further details including Membership please contact Alan Wood ‐ Email [email protected] Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 6 of 33 PULLMAN WORKINGS WITH LNER Pacific’s – Tommy Knox. I detail below identified November LNER Pacific Locomotive working of Pullman services. British Railway Numbers used for convenience. December 1959 (50 years ago) Tees Tyne Pullman. Dec 1st 60055 145 Up Tees Tyne Pullman into Kings Cross / 896 19.21 Kings Cross ‐ Peterborough Dec 2nd 60008 82 Dn Tees Tyne Pullman Dec 2nd 60033 145 Up Tees Tyne Pullman Dec 3rd 60017 145 Up Tees Tyne Pullman Dec 4th 60039 145 Up Tees Tyne Pullman Dec 15th 60014 145 Up Tees Tyne Pullman Dec 15th 60022 82 Dn Tees Tyne Pullman Dec 18th 60007 145 Up Tees Tyne Pullman Dec 24th 60022 145 Up Tees Tyne Pullman Dec 28th 60006 82 Dn Tees Tyne Pullman Dec 28th 60135 145 Up Tees Tyne Pullman Dec 29th 60006 45 Up Northumbrian / 82 Dn Tees Tyne Pullman (118) Yorkshire Pullman. Dec 2nd 60039 84 Dn Yorkshire Pullman Dec 5th 60141 19 Up Yorkshire Pullman Dec 7th 60059 84 Dn Yorkshire Pullman Dec 14th 60059 84 Dn Yorkshire Pullman Dec 15th 60044 84 Dn Yorkshire Pullman Dec 19th 60130 19 Up Yorkshire Pullman Dec 24th 60059 84 Dn Yorkshire Pullman Dec 24th 60117 19 Up Yorkshire Pullman / 88 18.20 Kings Cross ‐ Leeds Dec 28th 60044 84 Dn Yorkshire Pullman Dec 28th 60131 19 Up Yorkshire Pullman Dec 29th 60059 84 Dn Yorkshire Pullman Dec 31st 60059 84 Dn Yorkshire Pullman Harrogate Sunday Pullman. Dec 6th 60123 84 Dn Harrogate Sunday Pullman Dec 13th 60141 84 Dn Harrogate Sunday Pullman Dec 27th 60120 19 Up Harrogate Sunday Pullman Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 7 of 33 Queen of Scots. Dec 8th 60117 131 Up Queen of Scots from Leeds ‐ Kings Cross Dec 12th 60074 142 Dn North Briton into Newcastle / 131 Up Queen of Scots from Newcastle – Leeds Dec 18th 60131 131 Up Queen of Scots from Leeds ‐ Kings Cross Dec 19th 60081 142 Dn North Briton into Newcastle / 131 Up Queen of Scots from Newcastle – Leeds Dec 19th 60137 58 Dn Queen of Scots from Kings Cross ‐ Leeds Dec 24th 60050 131 Up Queen of Scots from Leeds ‐ Kings Cross Dec 28th 60130 58 Dn Queen of Scots from Kings Cross ‐ Leeds Dec 29th 60120 131 Up Queen of Scots from Leeds ‐ Kings Cross Dec 31st 60896 131 Up Queen of Scots from Leeds ‐ Kings Cross Known workings for Pullman Car No.82 26th April 1954 Tees Tyne Pullman 58, 63, 82, 209, Adrian, Ione, Rosemary, Ursula. 30th April 1954 Queen of Scots 64, 77, 80, 82, 105, Juana, Nilar, Cassandra. 10th May 1954 Tees Tyne Pullman 58, 70, 82, 176, 209, Adrian, Ione, Eunice Ursula. 10th July 1954 Queen of Scots 70, 75, 78, 80, 82, 84, Joan, Loraine. 14th Aug 1954 Queen of Scots 63, 70, 75, 78, 82, 84, Ione, Sheila. 31st Aug 1954 Queen of Scots 70, 75, 78, 80, 82, 84, Ione, Zena. 4th Sept 1954 Queen of Scots as above. 11th Sept 1954 Queen of Scots 58, 75, 78, 80, 82, 84, Ione, Zena. 18th Sept 1954 Queen of Scots as above. 8th Nov 1955 In Doncaster Works 15th May 1956 Yorkshire Pullman 63, 70, 82, 83, 107, 161, Penelope, Onyx, Phyllis, Agatha, Lucille. 24th May 1956 Yorkshire Pullman 44, 63, 70, 82, 83, 107, Penelope, Onyx, Phyllis, Agatha, Lucille. My thanks to Tommy for sharing the above information with us. Tommy has kindly agreed to produce a review on a monthly. Why not take this opportunity to view Tommy’s web‐site at www.lner‐pacifics.me.uk Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 8 of 33 FLYING SCOTSMAN NORTH AMERICAN TOUR ‐ Jim Baldwin. ©Andy Sturt. August 1969 ‐ E70632E at Twickenham Station. Response from Peter Hall. Just read the piece within Coupe News about the carriages in America. Certainly puts some meat on the bones I had about the four that went to 'Victoria Station Restaurant' which is what I had concluded in the late 1990's, with two missing. I presume you have already, or are in the process of, confirming that these four were not incorporated into the 'Marvel Mania' eatery which could be a possibility. If you could make contact with the current owners it may just be possible that someone involved twelve years ago is still around and might remember something. I presume that the plates that Tom Carter has are from the two scrapped in the 1970's, rather than two from the 'Victoria Station Restaurant' in 1997 ‐ it is not quite clear from what he has said. It would be very interesting if he can give an approximate date they were scrapped and where the scrap yard exactly was in order to give these two a 'decent burial' so to speak. If the two plates are from the 1970's then, as Murray Brown advises, “They do not make sense”. That is of course if the published texts about LNER carriages are correct. I just wonder if that it was the case that Metropolitan Cammell manufactured the chassis of the carriages and York Works built the bodies, the published texts not noting that the chassis was built elsewhere. If that was the case I would suggest the 1939 plate is from E70497E and the 1944 plate is from E70632E or E70636E with the delay between chassis building and body building being as a result of wartime material shortages. Just a thought. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 9 of 33 I had always thought that some American enthusiasts could help but in the pre‐internet era when I did the research it was difficult to find somewhere to start. With your starting a fresh in the internet era you are certainly coming up with things I never did. Hopefully the full story will soon emerge. Turning now to your comment in 'Coupe News 79' about support coaches. I am unable to comment on the Alan Peglar era as, although I did see 'Flying Scotsman' at Dore once in that period, I was still at junior school and not noting carriage formations. I do believe I have my Dad's slide of the event somewhere, but you probably have details of its outings at the time already. Presumably though, all pictures etc suggest that the locomotive just used to run light from where ever it was berthed and hook up to a rake of carriages. As you say Mark 1 BCK 21177 was its support coach in America often referred to as the 'Administration' coach at the time. The term support coach was I believe a later development. I had wondered if that had been its support coach in this country as well before it departed for America. The first couple of years after 'Flying Scotsman' returned from America are particularly interesting to me. At the time I was at a secondary school in Dronfield about 1/2 mile from the line. The word was that 'Flying Scotsman' would be coming through around lunchtime on Monday February 19th 1973 and I was nominated to ask the Head Master for permission for a group of us to go and see it. Whilst I was in his office, he telephoned BR at Sheffield who told him they had no knowledge of it coming and thus permission was refused. Unfortunately it was BR policy at the time not to give out details of steam workings. As compensation my father obtained a copy of the picture that appeared in the local newspaper of it passing through Chesterfield that day! I still have that picture and the press cutting. On that movement it was just locomotive and two tenders, Liverpool to Derby Works I believe. I next saw 'Flying Scotsman' at Sheffield on 25th September 1973. It was on the 'Bulmers Cider Express' and I noted it as with 'Five Bulmers Cider Coaches'. No doubt you have much information about this tour and other main line activities at the time and from what I have read I do not believe it had a particular support coach although it was often with one of the McAlpine Saloons. My next sighting was on 16th April 1974 at Dore South Junction where I took a couple of rather poor pictures. Both clearly show it with Mark 1 BSK 34612 as support coach. I believe this working was a Market Overton to Carnforth but I am not sure. This may have been the last time 'Flying Scotsman' departed from Market Overton but it may have returned later in the year before finally moving to Carnforth. I certainly observed 'Flying Scotsman' at Carnforth on 25th August 1974, my first visit. Below is the text that I put together for the owner of Lakeside Caravan Park about Mark 1 BSK 34612. Mark 1 Corridor Brake Second 34612 Built by the Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon company in 1955 this was one of an order for twenty‐eight carriages placed in January 1954. The British Rail lot (order) number was 30141 and they were to diagram 181. Thus it had a seating capacity off twenty‐four – four compartments with three a side seating ‐ in addition to accommodation for the guard and a large luggage area. From new it was allocated to the Eastern Region of British Rail where it was used on a variety of passenger train workings. It was taken out of service in late 1972/early 1973 being noted condemned at Wakefield on 17th February 1973. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 10 of 33 It was acquired soon after by Mr. W. McAlpine whom moved it to his base at Market Overton, Rutland where he kept a number of preserved railway locomotives and carriages. At Market Overton the carriage was adopted for use as the Administration/Support Coach for former LNER steam locomotive 4472 ‘Flying Scotsman’ and from the Spring of 1974 the coach was normally to be found with ‘Flying Scotsman’ when it was used on the British Rail network. For operation on British Rail it was allocated number MCA99056 indicating that it was a privately owned carriage permitted to operate on the nationalised railway network. Later that year the operating base for ‘Flying Scotsman’ changed from Market Overton to Carnforth, Lancashire and the later became the base for the coach when not being used on the British Rail network. Use as the Administration/Support Coach for ‘Flying Scotsman’ continued until 1986 when the carriage was stood down from this role and it was offered for sale. In February 1987 it was purchased by the West Somerset Railway and moved to Somerset. It did not see regular use in trains at the West Somerset Railway being mainly used for volunteer accommodation and storage. In early 1991 it departed from the West Somerset Railway, minus bogies, for a new role as a café/accommodation at Lakeside Caravan Park, Exbridge where it was branded ‘Starlight Express’. After ten years at Exbridge it was moved in August 2001 to its current home at the site of Yeo Mill Halt, Partridge Arms Farm, Yeo Mill, near West Anstey, Devon where it is now used as a camping coach. Thus it is my belief that from the Spring of 1974 Mark 1 BSK 34612 was the regular support coach for 'Flying Scotsman' until replaced in 1986 by Mark 1 BFK 17013 (originally 14013). As you correctly say 17013 remained as 'Flying Scotsman' support coach until sold to the NRM. Subsequently 17013 was sold to Jeremy Hoskin and is now in use as the support coach for 'BITTERN'. Hope this is of interest and helps a little in your research. 'Flying Scotsman' has certainly had a very interesting history particularly since the 1960's. Editors Request. A request to the readership in the United States of America, can any reader add to the history of what became of the vehicles that accompanied A3 No.4472 ‘Flying Scotsman’. It’s a missing gap in the history of the North American Tour. THE PULLMAN CAR PRESERVATION LIST 2010. The twenty first edition of the PCS annual publication will be published shortly. With a fully updated list of cars, locations and status with photographs.
All listed Coupe News readers will receive a pdf copy during December. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 11 of 33 Blue Pullman Supplement – Kevin Robertson. Kevin Robertson has drawn on material which has remained unavailable until just a few years ago; he unveils several new facets of information about the Blue Pullman sets. With an introduction to the initial concept, information about the trial running, and details about the first entry into service, this new book will be ideal for all those eager to learn more about these unique Pullman sets. Also included is much significant information about the numerous attempts made to address the poor riding qualities for which the sets became renowned. Chapters include details of the Blue Pullman operations on both the LMR, WR and ER trial, supplemented by a carefully selected collection of both colour and black & white photographs, few if any of which have ever been seen before. For further detail on both content and sourcing a copy visit www.kevinrobertsonbooks.co.uk Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 12 of 33 Antony Ford has with a series of revealing images documented the incredible history of the 'standard' Pullman car from the introduction in the 1920s, through the depression years of the 30s, their revival and popularity in the early post‐war period and subsequent withdrawal from main line operations in the 1960s. The content includes a huge range of illustrations and photographs depicting the distinctive exteriors and unique marquetry interiors of the cars as built by private contractors for the Pullman Car Company. Alongside these are many rare builders' photographs showing the methods of construction, design innovations including marquetry schemes, carpets, moquettes and other furnishings. Other information which will be of interest includes train formations and disposal data. Antony Ford has worked tirelessly to compile with the use of surviving material gathered from throughout the British Isles to reflect the very best of railway travel. The book takes the reader back to the Golden of Railway Travel with glimpses of the superb interiors, decorated in styles ranging from Renaissance and Georgian to elements of Art Deco and Modern. An extensive sequence of informative history details each batch of K types built from 1923 to 1927, prior to the advent of the all‐steel Pullman cars in 1928. Captured here is all the glamour and charm associated with the cars, complemented by readable, enthusiastic and well‐researched text much of which has not previously been published before. Building upon the success of Pullman Profile No. 1 The 12‐Wheel Cars, this latest volume in the series is certain not to disappoint. Over the decades, the mood and style aboard trains may have changed, but our fascination for luxury travel lingers. Any admirer of Pullman trains and service will be unable to resist the temptation to feast their eyes on this outstanding collection, faithfully recreating what has already gone, recalling the excitement and style of travelling by train. Unfortunately publication has been delayed, however it will be sent to the printer by Christmas with a release date of late January 2010. For further detail on both content and sourcing a copy visit www.kevinrobertsonbooks.co.uk Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 13 of 33 THE Mike Morant Pullman Collection. M.A.Morant Photographic Collection. Visit Mike’s website to view a superb photographic collection at http://gallery62603.fotopic.net/
Print Size: £ Per Print: 4” x 6” £0.70 8” x 10” £3.50 1
3
£3.50 8 /4” x 11 /4” (A4) Postage & Packing for orders under £10 £1.00 Send requests to Email [email protected] THE MANCHESTER PULLMAN. ©John M Boyes Collection 543 15. April 18th 1966 ‐ Empty stock of the 07.50am from Euston in Manchester Piccadilly with E3019 backing down on to the ECS for Longsight. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 14 of 33 The 5 Bel Unit 2053 c1932 ‐ ©Pamlin Prints M579. THE BRIGHTON BELLE PROJECT ‐ Bringing the Brighton Belle back to the mainline! Neil Marshall has supplied an update to last month’s photographs with regard to the key cabinet restoration. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 15 of 33 ©Jim Baldwin CAR No.85 in store at Southall (London) on August 12th 2009. The Brighton Belle has passed a major milestone in restoration, with the coming together of two motor
cars in Derby, as we now have two vehicles undergoing major work. There is lots of other news as
well, and all of this has been put together in Newsletter No. 2, which is now available for download.
http://brightonbelle.org.uk/images/stories/newsletter%202.pdf The process of registering the Brighton Belle project as a charity continues. Immediately after we
have been accepted for charitable status, then fund raising will being in earnest. We hope this will be
as soon as possible, as we want to get on and restore a train for main line service as soon as we can.
Meanwhile the work goes on, and we are now collecting together a living memory database of the
Brighton Belle, restoring the carriages and enabling the fundraising effort.
We hope you will enjoy the newsletter.
With every good wish for the festive season,
www.transporttrust.com and www.transportheritage.com Transport Trust, 202 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JW, United Kingdom. Registered No. 1509733. Registered under the Charities Acts No. 280943 Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 16 of 33 Simon Turner – Director. G.W.Railwayana Auctions Ltd T: 01386 760109 M: 07766 951724 E: [email protected] W: www.gwra.co.uk Pullman items realizations of the auction held on November 14th by G.W.R.A. Ltd. 43. Pullman Company Silverplate Ice Bucket. A lovely item with carrying handle, engraved on side with large lettering 'Pullman' and also with the full crest with 'DD' (Dining Department) beneath. Manufactured by Joseph Westby & Co. so stamped beneath, it stands 5½" high and 4½" diameter at widest. In extremely good condition. Realisation: £950 + 111/2%. 234. LBSCR Glass Paperweight with full company title around the periphery and the centre etched 'The Southern Belle Limited Pullman ‐ The Last Word In Luxurious Travel ‐ Victoria & Brighton In 60 Minutes Each Way ‐ Weekdays & Sundays'. Early style, pink tinged glass measuring 4¼" x 3" x ¾", some minor scratches and loss to the gilding which is only to be expected for an item of such age, however, no chips or repairs. Note the Southern Belle became the Brighton Belle in 1934 so the paperweight certainly precedes. Realisation: £310 + 111/2%. 304. Pullman circular mahogany Plaque showing company COA as used to fill the space where the brass clocks were mounted in the carriages after the clocks were removed. Measures 91/4" diameter and is marked on rear TC35, which was built in 1926 under schedule 193 by the Birmingham Carriage & Wagon Company. Realisation: £100 + 111/2%. Auctions are held at PERSHORE HIGH SCHOOL, STATION ROAD, PERSHORE, WORCESTERSHIRE. Easy Motorway access, Pershore Railway Station 5 minutes walk. Ample Parking. Excellent Catering. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 17 of 33 Attendants Review. 01 ‐ Dave Richards. Firstly may I congratulate you on the latest bumper issue and please don't feel the need to apologise for the size of the publication, which I always read from cover to cover with interest. I suspect that when you put together Coupe News No. 1 (5 pages of it), you had no expectation that six and half years later you would be putting out No. 81 early (not to mention 6 specials and the annual preservation lists), and as you already had enough material and that it would run to a splendid 36 pages! This is a commendable effort and like me, I'm sure your readers are exceptionally grateful for the considerable effort you clearly put in but I'm sure you take a great deal of pleasure and pride from your work. Can you please let Neil Marshall know that I've raised his question (page 24) with my Uncle John Cooper who featured in Coupe News No. 50 and worked as an attendant from 1939 to 1956 and also my Uncle Ron (who featured in Coupe News No. 55) and served his apprenticeship and worked at the Preston Park works between 1945 and 1954. I'll let you know if they're able to cast any additional information in relation to the key cabinet that is being restored as part of the exceptionally exciting Brighton Belle restoration project. Keep the good work going Terry! 02 – George Moon. What a brilliant edition of 'Coupe News'! Many thanks for all your hard work in preparing and organising the publication. I was particularly interested in the item on the LNER bogie vans that accompanied 4472 to the USA as very little seems to have been written about them till now. Unfortunately I have nothing to add. The photo of the observation car on page 8 was also interesting to me, as I have not previously seen a picture of one of these still in Pullman colours but with BR numbering, which incidentally appears to read M 280 M even if the Car was officially Scottish Region stock. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 18 of 33 Kippers return to the Brighton Belle Menu after 37 years. – David Jones. Members of the Pullman Society have for the last year or two arranged to have ex‐Brighton Belle first kitchen car ‘Doris’ open to the public on platform 1 at Horsted Keynes Station, Bluebell Railway on special events days. As part of the annual ‘Giants of Steam’ weekend on October 24 and 25, when the larger engines take centre stage and added attractions are arranged, Lee Wareham of the Society decided to resurrect kippers at breakfast which became famous when Sir Laurence Olivier led a revolt after they had been taken off the menu during the heyday of the Belle in the 1960s. ©David Jones. Pullman Society members Lee Wareham and David Jones sample the first Pullman Kippers in DORIS for the first time in 37 years. (The Brighton Belle was withdrawn April 30th 1972). Four best quality Manx kippers were prepared in the kitchen of the King George V bar on Horsted Keynes Station by one of the Bluebell’s chefs, then rushed over to ‘Doris’ where they were eagerly devoured by Pullman Society members at about 9.30 am using genuine Pullman cutlery. When the many visitors to the event arrived later and learnt of this experience, they all wanted kippers as well! We may be able to arrange a similar experience at the next special event when we should be able to arrange more appropriate crockery. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 19 of 33 The Final Atlantic and MYRTLE – David Jones. ©Colin Saunders. Atlantic Class 4‐4‐2 No.32424 BEACHY HEAD passing Coulsdon North Pullman car MYRTLE is the fourth vehicle from the locomotive tender. The last Railtour in the UK using an Atlantic Class locomotive was on April 13 1958 when ‘The Sussex Coast Limited’ ran from Victoria to Newhaven via Lewes, then to Brighton and finally back up the main line to Victoria. Ex‐LBSCR Atlantic Class locomotive No. 32424 ‘Beachy Head’, by then the last of its type in service, hauled the train comprising seven carriages including Pullman Car ‘Myrtle’ in the centre of Maunsell and Mark 1 vehicles, from Victoria to Newhaven, then Standard 4MT No. 80154, the last locomotive to built at Brighton Works took over for the leg to Brighton followed by King Arthur Class No. 30796 ‘Sir Dodinas le Savage’ hauling the train back to London. The original booking form for the tour stated that Pullman car ‘Grosvenor’ was to be used to provide buffet facilities but for some reason this was not available so ‘Myrtle’ substituted. The tour attracted many participants, but with large numbers on the lineside this resulted in the numerous photographs that were taken of the Special. As is always the case, the locomotive at the front is the main attraction, so the Pullman Car especially being in the middle of the formation, didn’t get much attention. After No. 32424 had been taken off at Newhaven it went light to Brighton and stayed there until April 24 when it worked the 7.28 am empty stock Lancing to Micheldever service. Finally a light engine movement to Eastleigh brought it to its final fate as within a month the once iconic ‘Beachy Head’ was scrapped at the works. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 20 of 33 All is not lost however, as a reconstructed ‘Beachy Head’ is about halfway through its build programme at the Bluebell Railway, and with continuing funding, should be completed within the next few years. ©David Jones. The new frames of the LBSCR Atlantic at Sheffield Park, Bluebell Railway. Inaccurate articles do appear in the railway press from time to time, but our regular subscribers are very loyal and are helping towards the goal of steaming an LBSCR Atlantic again, perhaps with the view of recreating the ‘Southern Belle’ in the not‐too‐distant future. Project Funding. A fund raising appeal for the money required to complete the project was launched in 2000, to provide a steady income to the project which has now made over a third of the total available. Whilst this has provided funding for the present work, more is going to be needed to complete the project, and the best way in which you can help is by contacting: ‐ Atlantic Project. 3, Nutley Mill Road, Stone Cross, Pevensey, East Sussex. BN24 5PD Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 21 of 33 The Restoration Progress in 2009 of Pullman Car FORMOSA ‐ Pat O'Connor – November 2009. This year, work on renovating FORMOSA has concentrated on the kitchen end of the car and the kitchen side. Most of the wood cladding at the kitchen end was in poor condition and had to be replaced either with new wood or re‐cycled match boarding. ©Pat O’Connor. The corner pillar between the end window and vestibule door was particularly rotten and had to be replaced. Similarly all along the kitchen side water had percolated down the side of the window structural timbers rotting them and corroding the knee plates tying the vertical timbers to the floor. In turn the expanded metal split the adjacent timbers and 'bulged out' the covering match boarding. To replace the knee plates and timber meant stripping off the match boarding and removal of rotten material ‐ in places there was no vehicle left to repair! This Spring was comparatively dry and I spent April and May trying to renovate as much of the original match boarding as possible. This was time consuming and proved to be a blind alley as on refixing it the overall effect was unsatisfactory and more importantly, not watertight. Consequently, I had to take off panels for over a quarter of the length of the vehicle. So having started again with new hardwood, progress slowed as once more the Devon Summer proved to be a wash‐out especially in July and August. Glorious Devon? You must be joking. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 22 of 33 ©Pat O’Connor. Fortunately September and October were good months for outdoor work. I've managed to replace most of the knee plates and I'm three‐quarters of the way along the body with new match boarding. Some of the protective waist rail above the match boarding is also in place. Over the Winter I shall be refurbishing window components and I hope to remove the damaged and split panels between the windows. Again the kitchen area is in particularly poor condition, the kitchen and pantry windows simply falling out as soon as touched. Of the three surviving end windows, two could be repaired by cannibalizing the incomplete third window. Two new end windows were made. Two of the vestibule doors have been repaired with new wood, beading and replacement glass Overall, the coupe side of FORMOSA is now structurally repaired although the new windows and sliding lights need to be installed. Both body ends have also been renovated. 2010 should see the kitchen side finished and some form of roof cladding fitted. With the car hopefully weather tight, I can make a start on the interior. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 23 of 33 ©Pat O’Connor. ©Pat O’Connor.
Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 24 of 33 ©Pat O’Connor. The Photographs above show various stages of work during 2009. The final photograph is of the interior with some of the marquetry panels temporarily in place. ©Pat O’Connor. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 25 of 33 Golden Arrow Collision at Victoria Station on Friday December 9th 1949. The ‘Down’ (4.55p.m. Dover Marine to Victoria 6.30p.m.) working of the ‘Golden Arrow’ came into collision at 6.42p.m. whilst traversing a facing crossover from the “Up Main” to “UP Relief” as it approached Platform 8, with Bulleid Battle of Britain 4‐6‐2 Pacific Locomotive No.34085 “501 Squadron” which was undertaking a light engine movement prior to attaching to the empty stock of the ‘Golden ‐Arrows’ and then move the empty stock to Stewarts Lane. But on this day the ‘Golden Arrow’ was running 12 minutes late. ©Lens of Sutton Collection. From Left to Right – Pullman Car 99, 295 & Bulleid Battle of Britain 4‐6‐2 Pacific No.34085. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 26 of 33 The ‘Golden Arrow’ train formation consisted: ‐ Bulleid Battle of Britain Pacific 4‐6‐2 Locomotive No.34084 ‘253 Squadron’. Baggage van No.1293. Conflat No.39636. Pullman Car No.99. Pullman Car No 294. Pullman Car Malaga. Pullman Car Onyx. Pullman Car Zenobia. Pullman Car Trianon Bar. Pullman Car Chloria. Pullman Car Flora. The “Up Main” signal for the ‘Golden Arrow’ was showing “Clear”, and the train approached at about 10mph. The corresponding “Up Relief” displayed “Danger”, but the light engine No.34085 passed the “Up Relief” signal at “Danger” travelling at about 5mph, it then derailed coming to a stand at an angle of about 350 leaving it fouling the ‘Down Local Line’ on which the 6.40p.m. (ex ‐ Platform 9) eight coach electric passenger service from Victoria to Croydon was passing at 30mph. The eight casualties were passengers travelling within the 6.40p.m. Victoria to Croydon. The eight coach electric passenger train of which the rear six coaches grazed the smoke deflector of the derailed light engine No.34085. The ‘Golden Arrows’ locomotive No.34084, made contact with its left corner of the buffer beam striking the derailed No.34085 right hand cylinder. No.34084 sustained a main frame buckle, and the left hand cylinder casting was broken. No.34085 sustained damage to its motion, plate work and fittings on its right hand side; the cylinder casting was cracked and the cab was demolished. Neither the Electric train nor the ‘Golden Arrow’ was derailed, the ‘Golden Arrow’ coming to a stand 95 yards from the point of collision. Superficial damage was sustained to the baggage van, conflat and Pullman cars No.99 and 294 with the six rear Pullman cars not suffering any damage. The derailed No.34085 was rerailed on December 10th at 4.40a.m. With associated track repairs completed by 8.40a.m. also on December 10th. My thanks to Antony Ford, Peter Fidczuk, Lens of Sutton Collection and to The Railways Archive for access to the following document. Ministry of Transport ‐ Railway Accidents – REPORT ON THE COLLISION which occurred on 9th December 1949 at Victoria Station in the Southern Region British Railways. Chairman of the Inquiry ‐ G.R.S.Wilson Lieutenant Colonel. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 27 of 33 Lens of Sutton Collection. Details on the Lens of Sutton collection is available with a SAE from: ‐ 46 Edenhurst Road, Longbridge, Birmingham B31 4PQ. PRICES (from 1st September 2009) Size Price Postcard – up to 10
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For selective enlargements please add one-third to the above prices. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION PLEASE ALLOW 8‐10 WEEKS FOR DELIVERY THE RAILWAYS ARCHIVE. The Railways Archive is a free online archive of documents charting the development of Britain's railways. Britain's railways have a long, unique and complex history, shaped by engineering, politics, economics and social change, and this history is well served by a multitude of books and other material. However, the original documents which drove and reflected change on the railway are often not easy to come by, and the Archive is making these accessible for the first time. The documents include; acts of parliament, accident reports and publicity material. The Railways Archive is an online library for such material; from the first Act of Parliament to regulate railways, through to the Modernisation Plan, Beeching Reports, the collapse of Railtrack and right up to the Railways Act 2005 which has received royal assent, it is of use to anyone researching UK railway history and requiring access to primary source material. Visit the Web Site; http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 28 of 33 Sheffield Railwayana Auction. Saturday 5 December 2009 – 10.30a.m. Auction Location “The Gateway Centre” which is adjacent to the Derbyshire County Cricket Club ground, and is located to the east of the city close to the A52 trunk road from Nottingham to Derby. LOTS 41‐47: PULLMAN CAR ITEMS. 41 ‐ PULLMAN CAR BRASS TABLE LAMP. In the hexagonal‐curved style base and plain six‐sided stem. The base is stamped “PERSEUS” which was constructed in Birmingham in 1951 for use on the “Golden Arrow” to promote the “Festival of Britain.” It was used on many royal and state specials, including Sir Winston Churchill’s funeral train in 1965. It was occasionally used in the “Bournemouth Belle.” It retired from service in 1972 and was subsequently preserved by VSOE. 21½” high with 6” diameter base. The original pink Perspex shade is missing, VGC otherwise. 42 ‐ PULLMAN CARS TWO‐PART 1 PINT SILVERPLATE COCKTAIL SHAKER. Manufactured by Elkington. 2⅜” diameter base, 7½” high, 3¾” diameter at widest. The Pullman coat of arms surrounded by the wording “Pullman Car Company Limited” in garter are clearly incised on the side. VGC. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 29 of 33 43 ‐ PULLMAN CAR LETTER “C”. Aas applied to the outside of the cars on LNER and SR trains to indicate seat reservations. Aluminium, 9” x 11” with bars to fit into slots on the car side, the letter “C” painted in brown with gold edging on a cream background. In good ex‐car condition. 44 ‐ PULLMAN CARS 1½ PINT SILVERPLATE TEA POT. Manufactured by Walker & Hall. 4½” diameter base 4¾” high plus handle and spout. The Pullman coat of arms surrounded by the wording “Pullman Car Company Limited” in garter are clearly incised on the side. VGC. 45 ‐ VSOE D/R POSTER: THE ALPS (Pierre Fix‐Masseau 1905‐1994). This is a 1981 poster of an Alpine lakeset within a bunch of grapes. This is one of a set of posters used to promote the reinstatement of the fabled ‘Orient Express’. Rolled, VGC. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 30 of 33 46 ‐ VSOE D/R POSTER: VENICE (Pierre Fix‐Masseau 1905‐1994). A 1979 scene of famous Venice landmarks, the Grand Canal and a gondola are all set within an image of a winged mythological creature atop a column. Another poster from the VSOE promotional series. Rolled, VGC. 47 ‐ PULLMAN CAR HIGH BACKED ARMCHAIR. With fluted back and scroll arm from a 1920s first class steam hauled parlour car (identity unknown). 26½” wide, 23” deep and 42” high, covered in original gold coloured upholstery and is in good condition apart from a broken spring in the seat. For further details: ‐ http://www.sheffieldrailwayana.co.uk/ Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 31 of 33 Model Train Record Bid. A bid to recreate the Barnstaple to Bideford railway line using the world's longest model train track failed. Cameras filmed the world record bid for the BBC television series hosted by Top Gear presenter James May. The 10‐mile (16km) track was completed on the Tarka Trail, but the Hornby “Javelin train” stopped about three miles (4.8km) short of its target at 0030 BST. Earlier the attempt had been hindered by thieves stealing part of the track, vandals and heavy rain. Simon Kohler, from Hornby, which provided the track and engines, said despite all the problems, there was still a chance the attempt could make it into the record books. "Even though the last locomotive gave up the ghost at Instow, we did link the track ‐ in fact I finished it at about 2230 ‐ so we'll just need to wait and see what Guinness make of it," he told BBC News. About 400 volunteers took part in the attempt. "I think we are all disappointed because an awful lot of effort went into it and the strength and tenacity of the helpers was simply extraordinary," Mr Kohler said. "We had spoilsports who stole parts of the track and at one point someone used 2p coins to create problems and blow the train's battery, but we refused to let it ruin things."It's sad, but it was a really brave effort." “James May's Toy Stories” is reported to be shown on BBC 2 Monday December 21st at 9p.m. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 32 of 33 Tail Lamp. My thanks to the following readers who have taken time to contribute to this edition of Coupé News in the form of Email, news, articles and photographs, these include Doug Lindsay, David Jones, Pat O’Connor, Mike Morant, Tommy Knox, Richard Barber, Jim Baldwin, Neil Marshall, Antony Ford, Peter Fidczuk & Lens of Sutton Collection, Simon Kohler & Peter Hall. For without your contributions this edition would have been much the poorer. May I take this opportunity to wish all readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy & Prosperous New ‐ Year. Also a vote of thanks to all those who have contributed in the form of news, articles and photographs during 2009, by doing so they have made each edition of Coupé News of interest to all your fellow readers Worldwide. We now enter the seventh year of publication; it is hard to believe that from a simple newsletter we have grown the interest in Pullman around the World and in doing so we have learned more about the George M Pullman legacy. Remember ‐ “Information is for Sharing – Not gathering Dust”. T.Bye ‐ ©PCS – December 1st 2009. Coupé News – No. 82 – December 2009 ‐ Page 33 of 33