Introduction of Pullman diesel express services between Wolverhampton & Birmingham and London Paddington, also Bristol and London Paddington : booklet issued by British Railways and the Pullman Car Company, 1960 : first class saloon

            The booklet issued by British Railways and the wholly owned subsidiary company The Pullman Car Company to promote the introduction fo the new diesel express trains known as "The Blue Pullman". It is undated but the Western Region sets and services described here entered service on 12 September 1960, a few weeks after the corresponding LMR sets started on the Manchester - London (St Pancras) "Midland Pulman" services. At this stage two services were operated - From Wolverhampton (Low Level) through Birmingham Snow Hill to London Paddington - the old GWR route that would see closure through the Black Country a few years alter - and from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads. The South Wales services were introduced in 1961.

The use of these specially constructed diesel multiple units had been considered fromt he mid-1950s as part of the acquisition of the still privately owned Pullman concern in 1954, the realisation that the Pullman stock was aging and that there was a need to include the trains in the growing 'Modernisation' programme. The units were constructed by Metro-Cammell and there were teething troubles, mostly around ride quality, as well as staffing issues. That aside the new trains, in their striking Naking Blue livery, set a new tone for high speed express services that would help inform the next decade and the introduction of the highly successful 'Inter-City" concept. 

The trains ran until 1973 and all were withdrawn and scrapped. The booklet is very detailed - even down to the designs and names of the finishes - the photo of the First Class car showing the 'Scheme 2" "Devon Weave" random red rectangles on a black background. The design was highly considered and of a high standard along with an effective 'rebranding' of the Pullman name - a consistent application of the new 'coat of arms' seen on the brochure cover being rolled out across all aspects of the service.

Taken on: April 6, 2022

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Mike Ashworth Collection

British Railways

Pullman Car Company

Blue Pullman

train

railway

1960

modernisation

diesel units

Bristol

London Paddington

Wolverhampton

Birmingham

booklet

ephemera

transport publicity

train design

Pullman trains

Wolverhampton Low Level station

Birmingham Snow Hill station

Bristol Temple Meads station

train interior

First Class « less

Sets appears in: • British Railways - Pullman Car Company : introduction of Western Region 'Blue Pullman' services booklet, 1960 • Travel! more » • British Railways ephemera • Railway publicity « less

Groups appears in: • Period Photographs of Transportation (pre-1980) • Public Transportation more » • That Old Timey Feeling • Public Transport Around the World • Classic Transport • PLANET EARTH BACK IN THE DAY • British Rail • Vintage Railway Publicity, pre-1980 • UK Railway Memorabilia • Travellers' Tails • British Railways in the 60's • UK Rail: Seating Moquette's, Covers & Headrest's « less

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