Blue Pullman 60

[BrianW]

I recently 'invested ' in a DVD compilation of 'Railway Roundabout' items from the 1950s/60s; one of which is about the introduction of the blue 'Midland Pullman' on 4 July 1960.

Ok so people slagged it off for its 'poor ride quality'. I never rode on it (I was 11 then) but I did regularly see its WR 'brother' the Birmingham Pullman which cruised past our school playground in Northolt. It oozed 'style' to me and probably prompted my interest in design ... and I had a Triang model three-railed to run on my Hornby Dublo layout!.

Happy days ...

 

[DGH 1]

I recently 'invested ' in a DVD compilation of 'Railway Roundabout' items from the 1950s/60s; one of which is about the introduction of the blue 'Midland Pullman' on 4 July 1960.

Ok so people slagged it off for its 'poor ride quality'. I never rode on it (I was 11 then) but I did regularly see its WR 'brother' the Birmingham Pullman which cruised past our school playground in Northolt. It oozed 'style' to me and probably prompted my interest in design ... and I had a Triang model three-railed to run on my Hornby Dublo layout!.

Happy days ...

There are quite a few books on the blue pullmans, but my favourite video on them is the kingfisher one with the btf film shorts showing construction and testing. It's definitely worth getting hold of. I don't know if its available on dvd.
I've always been sad that no vehicles survived for future generations to savour. Myself included.

 

[CW2]

I used to see the Blue Pullmans powering through Tilehurst in my trainspotting days, when they worked from Paddington to Bristol and South Wales. A period-restored Blue Pullman set would be a real attraction nowadays. That's the sort of premium charter service I'd happily travel on. I guess an upmarket HST is going to be the nearest equivalent.

 

[WesternLancer]

There are quite a few books on the blue pullmans, but my favourite video on them is the kingfisher one with the btf film shorts showing construction and testing. It's definitely worth getting hold of. I don't know if its available on dvd.
I've always been sad that no vehicles survived for future generations to savour. Myself included.

The BFI editions of BTF films on DVD have some of this - Blue Pullman itself and I think some of the other stuff that covers construction that was probably made up from out takes for the promo film.

A sense of that here but I assume the individual DVDs are still available seperatly etc

British Transport Films Collection

An 18-disc box set, bringing together nine volumes of the BFI's celebrated British Transport Films.

www.bfi.org.uk

 

[Ashley Hill]

There are quite a few books on the blue pullmans, but my favourite video on them is the kingfisher one with the btf film shorts showing construction and testing. It's definitely worth getting hold of. I don't know if its available on dvd.
I've always been sad that no vehicles survived for future generations to savour. Myself included.

IIRC the Blue Pullman film is on Talking Pictures TV one day this week.

 

[DGH 1]

I used to see the Blue Pullmans powering through Tilehurst in my trainspotting days, when they worked from Paddington to Bristol and South Wales. A period-restored Blue Pullman set would be a real attraction nowadays. That's the sort of premium charter service I'd happily travel on. I guess an upmarket HST is going to be the nearest equivalent.

That would be fantastic, What we wouldn't give for a time machine.

 

[DGH 1]

IIRC the Blue Pullman film is on Talking Pictures TV one day this week.

I'll have to watch out for it, that's my favourite tv channel.

 

[DGH 1]

The BFI editions of BTF films on DVD have some of this - Blue Pullman itself and I think some of the other stuff that covers construction that was probably made up from out takes for the promo film.

A sense of that here but I assume the individual DVDs are still available seperatly etc

British Transport Films Collection

An 18-disc box set, bringing together nine volumes of the BFI's celebrated British Transport Films.

www.bfi.org.uk

I love watching all those old BTF films, thank goodness they took the time to film them.

 

[Ashley Hill]

IIRC the Blue Pullman film is on Talking Pictures TV one day this week.

It's on Sunday 05th July at 0750. Its also on You Tube along with dozens of other BTF films.

 

[DGH 1]

It's on Sunday 05th July at 0750. Its also on You Tube along with dozens of other BTF films.

That's great, thanks for the info'.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Another BTF film featuring the Blue Pullman is Lets Go To Birmingham. A high speed run from Paddington to Birmingham.

 

[DGH 1]

Another BTF film featuring the Blue Pullman is Lets Go To Birmingham. A high speed run from Paddington to Birmingham.

I'm sure That particular one is on the kingfisher video i mentioned earlier, its like HS2, 1960 style. You have to hold on tight to watch it

 

[hexagon789]

There are quite a few books on the blue pullmans, but my favourite video on them is the kingfisher one with the btf film shorts showing construction and testing. It's definitely worth getting hold of. I don't know if its available on dvd.
I've always been sad that no vehicles survived for future generations to savour. Myself included.

I have one published by Kestrel Books, written by Kevin Robertson. Full of background, technical and operational detail it probably contains everything one could want to know about the trains. Even has a detailed description of the different formations that were considered when the Western received the ex-LMR cars and reasons in favour of or against each operationally

 

[Journeyman]

Apparently an attempt was made to preserve a set, but it failed, probably because noone had any interest in diesel preservation at the time. David Brown writes in his two volume history of the Southern Electric that the Western Region offered Blue Pullmans to the Southern as potential replacements for the Brighton Belle, but obviously that didn't happen either. Not sure if there's much truth in that, or where it came from.

 

[2392]

Apparently an attempt was made to preserve a set, but it failed, probably because noone had any interest in diesel preservation at the time. David Brown writes in his two volume history of the Southern Electric that the Western Region offered Blue Pullmans to the Southern as potential replacements for the Brighton Belle, but obviously that didn't happen either. Not sure if there's much truth in that, or where it came from.

Another big problem with the attempt was the Asbestos problem. To me it is/was somewhat ironic they were "Blue", as they were filled with blue asbestos. As by the time they were withdrawn, the health issues associated with asbestos were starting raise their head.......

 

[hexagon789]

Apparently an attempt was made to preserve a set, but it failed, probably because noone had any interest in diesel preservation at the time. David Brown writes in his two volume history of the Southern Electric that the Western Region offered Blue Pullmans to the Southern as potential replacements for the Brighton Belle, but obviously that didn't happen either. Not sure if there's much truth in that, or where it came from.

I haven't read about a possible use on the SR, but there was an attempt to preserve ten vehicles for use in a sort of charter tour operation run by a group of businessmen. The vehicles were to be refurbished in Glasgow including repainting into Nanking Blue livery but it proved too expensive and too awkward as BR imposed numerous restrictions on how the set could be used on their metals and the businessmen felt that the venture wouldn't succeed as a result.

The vehicles consisted of two DMBF, two TFLRK and six MPSL.

 

[High Dyke]

IIRC the Blue Pullman film is on Talking Pictures TV one day this week.

Sunday 5 July. 07:50hrs.

 

[DGH 1]

I have one published by Kestrel Books, written by Kevin Robertson. Full of background, technical and operational detail it probably contains everything one could want to know about the trains. Even has a detailed description of the different formations that were considered when the Western received the ex-LMR cars and reasons in favour of or against each operationally

I like the sound of that one, i will have to have a look out for copy. Thank you.

 

[hexagon789]

I like the sound of that one, i will have to have a look out for copy. Thank you.

There's a page on the railcar website which gives a selection of books and periodicals relating to the Blue Pullmans: https://www.railcar.co.uk/type/blue-pullman/more

 

[DGH 1]

There's a page on the railcar website which gives a selection of books and periodicals relating to the Blue Pullmans: https://www.railcar.co.uk/type/blue-pullman/more

Fantastic, thanks for that,

 

[73128]

I have one published by Kestrel Books, written by Kevin Robertson. Full of background, technical and operational detail it probably contains everything one could want to know about the trains. Even has a detailed description of the different formations that were considered when the Western received the ex-LMR cars and reasons in favour of or against each operationally

Crecy (Kevin Robertson) have recently published a new (inch thick) volume on them. Well worth acquiring.

 

[hexagon789]

Crecy (Kevin Robertson) have recently published a new (inch thick) volume on them. Well worth acquiring.

Sounds like it might be a good Xmas present!

 

[David Goddard]

And excellent it is. His co-author is a member of this forum.

 

[hexagon789]

Does anyone have a title, ISBN or possibly even link to the new volume? I can only seem to bring up the one I have or the pictorial addition books but nothing new.

 

[Revaulx]

Does anyone have a title, ISBN or possibly even link to the new volume? I can only seem to bring up the one I have or the pictorial addition books but nothing new.

Seconded. I really want one.

I first saw one in 1966/67 arriving at Manchester Central when I was aged 8 or 9; it looked like it had come from another planet. They weren’t around for long; all the London trains switched back from the Midland to the newly electrified LNW route. The Mark 2s hauled by incredibly dull looking locos felt like a real step backwards.

 

[WesternLancer]

Seconded. I really want one.

I first saw one in 1966/67 arriving at Manchester Central when I was aged 8 or 9; it looked like it had come from another planet. They weren’t around for long; all the London trains switched back from the Midland to the newly electrified LNW route. The Mark 2s hauled by incredibly dull looking locos felt like a real step backwards.

is this the new book? Think it prob is - I have the old one and that is v good

The Blue Pullman Story Kevin Robertson Mike Smith 2020

 

[Revaulx]

Ordered just now!

 

[hexagon789]

is this the new book? Think it prob is - I have the old one and that is v good

The Blue Pullman Story Kevin Robertson Mike Smith 2020

Looks like it, cheers

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Seconded. I really want one.

I first saw one in 1966/67 arriving at Manchester Central when I was aged 8 or 9; it looked like it had come from another planet. They weren’t around for long; all the London trains switched back from the Midland to the newly electrified LNW route. The Mark 2s hauled by incredibly dull looking locos felt like a real step backwards.

Which is interesting because while I think the Blue Pullman was striking for the time I feel the same way about the LMR early electrics as well! The mail colour of the liveries weren't hugely different either.

 

[Revaulx]

Looks like it, cheers

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Nov 2020 ==



Which is interesting because while I think the Blue Pullman was striking for the time I feel the same way about the LMR early electrics as well! The mail colour of the liveries weren't hugely different either.

The early ones with the sloping ends looked pretty good, but the flat ended 86s looked desperately utilitarian. Surprising how such a small change can make or break a design.

 

[hexagon789]

The early ones with the sloping ends looked pretty good, but the flat ended 86s looked desperately utilitarian. Surprising how such a small change can make or break a design.

I'll agree that 86s are somewhat unprepossessing visually, but then first a design which was supposed to take the best elements of the earlier classes to produce a better locomotive they made a number of decisions they'd later regret such as the type of mounting for the traction motors and the bogie suspension for a start.

The Blue Pullmans are equally noteable for a poor ride, but in their case it also affected passengers.