Blue Pullman Returns

[matt]

There are currently four brands operating out of Crewe by Locomotive Services Ltd

Saphos Trains | Classic Steam Train Experience

Experience luxury railway touring with the Saphos Trains classic steam experience.

saphostrains.com

Intercity | Bargain priced rail journeys in First Class comfort

We are pleased to offer unmissable bargain priced day tours in First Class comfort on our modern high speed air conditioned inter-city train, hauled by celebrity electric locomotives to various destinations for a sightseeing break.

inter-city.co.uk

Midland Pullman | Revival of an icon

The Midland Pullman was Britain’s first luxury high speed diesel-electric train running in the early 1960’s, offering the best possible at seat deluxe service and is remembered for the trains striking Nanking blue livery, white jacketed stewards, and impeccable customer service…

midlandpullman.com

Statesman Rail | Discover our range of Inspirational Journeys

Sit back and relax, welcome aboard the celebrated Statesman. Cruise across stunning landscapes en route to the most iconic destinations in the British Isles.

www.statesmanrail.com

 

[Trackman]

There are currently four brands operating out of Crewe by Locomotive Services Ltd

Saphos Trains | Classic Steam Train Experience

Experience luxury railway touring with the Saphos Trains classic steam experience.

saphostrains.com

Intercity | Bargain priced rail journeys in First Class comfort

We are pleased to offer unmissable bargain priced day tours in First Class comfort on our modern high speed air conditioned inter-city train, hauled by celebrity electric locomotives to various destinations for a sightseeing break.

inter-city.co.uk

Midland Pullman | Revival of an icon

The Midland Pullman was Britain’s first luxury high speed diesel-electric train running in the early 1960’s, offering the best possible at seat deluxe service and is remembered for the trains striking Nanking blue livery, white jacketed stewards, and impeccable customer service…

midlandpullman.com

Statesman Rail | Discover our range of Inspirational Journeys

Sit back and relax, welcome aboard the celebrated Statesman. Cruise across stunning landscapes en route to the most iconic destinations in the British Isles.

www.statesmanrail.com

Thanks Matt, I was after the Midland Pullman website, like a daft one I kept searching for 'Blue Pullman'!

 

[Royston Vasey]

Don't get me wrong, it's beautifully executed, and it would be a waste to dispose of those wonderful GWR FO interiors, but I hated the concept, hated the mockups and hate it still! Inauthentic and gaudy, and the front end treatment looks ugly. It betrays the elegance of the HST in its own right, which as the first preserved is a shame. I know I'm in the minority, and I'm so pleased it's preserved nevertheless.

 

[43 302]

Don't get me wrong, it's beautifully executed, and it would be a waste to dispose of those wonderful GWR FO interiors, but I hated the concept, hated the mockups and hate it still! Inauthentic and gaudy, and the front find treatment looks ugly. It betrays the elegance of the HST in its own right, which as the first preserved is a shame. I know I'm in the minority, and I'm so pleased it's preserved nevertheless.

It is not preserved, and that isn't the point of it. If what you want is an HST how most people remember them, then the 125 Group have that covered.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Don't get me wrong, it's beautifully executed, and it would be a waste to dispose of those wonderful GWR FO interiors, but I hated the concept, hated the mockups and hate it still! Inauthentic and gaudy, and the front find treatment looks ugly. It betrays the elegance of the HST in its own right, which as the first preserved is a shame. I know I'm in the minority, and I'm so pleased it's preserved nevertheless.

I'm in complete agreement - it's an ugly, fake, tacky train (which shouldn't even be running during a pandemic).

And it has all been paid for by the grubby Brexit supporting, disaster capitalism of Jeremy Hosking.

 

[Royston Vasey]

It is not preserved, and that isn't the point of it. If what you want is an HST how most people remember them, then the 125 Group have that covered.

I get your point, but withdrawn from TOC service into the hands of someone willing to invest, repair and maintain it pertains to the same thing, essentially.

 

[43 302]

I get your point, but withdrawn from TOC service into the hands of someone willing to invest, repair and maintain it pertains to the same thing, essentially.

Yes, but used for profit making like a TOC or FOC. Otherwise you could say that the three Colas Power Cars are preserved too.

 

[Bertie the bus]

I'm in complete agreement - it's an ugly, fake, tacky train (which shouldn't even be running during a pandemic).

And it has all been paid for by the grubby Brexit supporting, disaster capitalism of Jeremy Hosking.

None of that could possibly be based on your obvious hatred of Jeremy Hosking could it? Though I did enjoy your description of it as a fake train. It astounds me how some people can take an irrational dislike to something completely trivial based on their political views.

 

[DB]

I get your point, but withdrawn from TOC service into the hands of someone willing to invest, repair and maintain it pertains to the same thing, essentially.

No it doesn't. It's a commercial charter operation.

 

[Royston Vasey]

No it doesn't. It's a commercial charter operation.

OK David, I'm glad it's not rotting at Ely or being torched at Newport...

 

[Philip Phlopp]

None of that could possibly be based on your obvious hatred of Jeremy Hosking could it? Though I did enjoy your description of it as a fake train. It astounds me how some people can take an irrational dislike to something completely trivial based on their political views.

It's the execution of the concept I have a deep loathing for, in addition to Jeremy's existence.

The use of an HST set in a premium configuration is completely solid, perfectly rational decision given the scarcity of lower speed paths on the network, and is likely to be something replicated further in the future. 2+9 is an interesting decision, of course, given the pathing complications that introduces, but otherwise, it's all sound and well thought out.

The execution is what I feel is flawed - the interior isn't anything better than FGW ran with in squadron service, the decor upgrades to the catering vehicle are OK but not exactly going to set the world on fire, and it's all just a bit backward looking, fake, olde worlde. The food looks good but again it's a luxury take on the usual fare, rather than something a bit more exotic and daring.

I was rather hoping for something a bit more exciting and forward looking, like the Japanese Train Suite Shiki-shima rather than a glorified first class post privatisation train pretending to be something it really isn't.

 

[43 302]

OK David, I'm glad it's not rotting at Ely or being torched at Newport...

Definitely agree there!

 

[WesternLancer]

It's the execution of the concept I have a deep loathing for, in addition to Jeremy's existence.

The execution is what I feel is flawed - the interior isn't anything better than FGW ran with in squadron service, the decor upgrades to the catering vehicle are OK but not exactly going to set the world on fire, and it's all just a bit backward looking, fake, olde worlde. The food looks good but again it's a luxury take on the usual fare, rather than something a bit more exotic and daring.

I was rather hoping for something a bit more exciting and forward looking, like the Japanese Train Suite Shiki-shima rather than a glorified first class post privatisation train pretending to be something it really isn't.

Presumably it's based on what the market will sustain and pay for, combined with what was possible with the rolling stock available at the cost it can be presented for, and the tickets priced accordingly.

I don't have any time for Mr Hoskings politics and to me "just a bit backward looking, fake, olde worlde" sums up one of the key drivers for Brexit anyway, but that's my political prejudices. It might be part of the business plan for the train though

Despite this I am happy that he chooses to use his wealth to keep some things I enjoy looking at operational, and may even be able to travel on / behind, for which I would thank him.

 

[Trackman]

None of that could possibly be based on your obvious hatred of Jeremy Hosking could it? Though I did enjoy your description of it as a fake train. It astounds me how some people can take an irrational dislike to something completely trivial based on their political views.

I see it as a reinvention rather than a fake.
It's turning heads and the next two tours are booked up.

 

[DB]

Are LSL and various subsidiaries profitable or does their owner subsidise them?

The rail charter market is after all not noted for the longevity of companies (with a very small number of exceptions).

 

[43096]

It's the execution of the concept I have a deep loathing for, in addition to Jeremy's existence.

The use of an HST set in a premium configuration is completely solid, perfectly rational decision given the scarcity of lower speed paths on the network, and is likely to be something replicated further in the future. 2+9 is an interesting decision, of course, given the pathing complications that introduces, but otherwise, it's all sound and well thought out.

The execution is what I feel is flawed - the interior isn't anything better than FGW ran with in squadron service, the decor upgrades to the catering vehicle are OK but not exactly going to set the world on fire, and it's all just a bit backward looking, fake, olde worlde. The food looks good but again it's a luxury take on the usual fare, rather than something a bit more exotic and daring.

I was rather hoping for something a bit more exciting and forward looking, like the Japanese Train Suite Shiki-shima rather than a glorified first class post privatisation train pretending to be something it really isn't.

It's confirmation that nostalgia as a marketing tool will work. Taking the most successful train design Britain's ever had and awkwardly dressing it up as something that was a technical and commercial failure is certainly an interesting way of going about it. I wonder what Sir Kenneth Grange makes of the attempt to make the power cars look like something else?

 

[Bertie the bus]

What does it matter? When you visit Hampton Court Palace you are hardly transported back to an authentic depiction of England in the 16th Century but it doesn’t stop people going or enjoying their visit. Nobody has ever claimed this is a truly authentic reproduction of some 1960s train.

 

[fgwrich]

Interesting pics there, thanks for uploading these. Do you have any interior shots around showing what has been done to 40802 or 44078 at all please?

I don’t I’m afraid. Surprisingly not so many interior pictures came out of yesterday’s run. Personally, in personal preference, I would rank my favourite versions of this interior as :

ScotRail,
EMT / EMR,
GWR,
LSL Blue Pullman.

I’m just not a fan of the rather gaudy carpet, or in your face Blue that the end walls have been recovered in. And I have to say, the leather headrest swatches do somewhat remind me of the cheap temporary covers that ScotRail used to cover up “GWR First Class” in their “Classic” Sets.

Another picture from yesterday, again from Twitter, and a picture of the ScotRail “Classic” interior.

 

[DB]

I don’t I’m afraid. Surprisingly not so many interior pictures came out of yesterday’s run. Personally, in personal preference, I would rank my favourite versions of this interior as :

ScotRail,
EMT / EMR,
GWR,
LSL Blue Pullman.

I’m just not a fan of the rather gaudy carpet, or in your face Blue that the end walls have been recovered in. And I have to say, the leather headrest swatches do somewhat remind me of the cheap temporary covers that ScotRail used to cover up “GWR First Class” in their “Classic” Sets.

Another picture from yesterday, again from Twitter, and a picture of the ScotRail “Classic” interior.

From the pictures I've seen the swatch appears to have been stuck over the sewn on green one, rather Than replacing it. Is this the case? Scotrail and EMR have actually replaced it.

 

[Puppetfinger]

I really like what they have done internally. Personally, I am not taken by the internal style of a lot of charter stock, the Jacobite perhaps an exception, however the Blue Pullman interior looks really great. I wouldn't go on other charters for the reason above, but would travel on this.

 

[Killingworth]

Having travelled on a Statesman journey in 2020 I have to declare interest.We were in a restored 1954 carriage which was in superb condition. The food and service was excellent. All staff were masked and each seating bay was partitioned with only window seats occupied. We were careful to comply with all current advice and regulations.

I don't support Hosking's politics but I am impressed with the positive action he's taking with his money to keep old trains in good order for all to enjoy using.

It also provides pleaaure and many photo opportunities for enthusasts who line the routes to grab pictures. My own pictures from aboard record many lenses pointed in our direction!

I was working on Saturday so didn't catch this train passing. I know it was caught on camera by many people on the Hope Valley line and all thought it looked smart. Having first used HSTs to Bristol and Cardiff in 1976/7 when new I'm pleased to see so many still running on XC, EMR, GWR and Scotrail. That said an electrified MML would be more environmentally friendly. At least Hosking has electric traction in his fleet.

 

[Sod]

Mr Hosking is trying to recreate the sense of occasion that the Blue Pullman / Midland Pullman / Western Pullman provided, but within a more modern mechanical context. That has to be good commercial thinking, if it pulls in the punters. The HST set looks fabulous in Nangking Blue, so why not? I can only applaud an entrepreneur who sees that passengers will be drawn in by this sort of offering.

 

[DB]

The HST set looks fabulous in Nangking Blue

`
That's a matter of opinion, which not everyone shares...

 

[Sod]

Fine. We all have our right to an opinion. Aesthetics will always be a subjective decision.

 

[43096]

Fine. We all have our right to an opinion. Aesthetics will always be a subjective decision.

Very true. I actually quite like the blue and white at the rear of the power cars and on the trailers. It's the frankly horrible way the front end white has been done that doesn't work - it's almost trying too hard to be like the Blue Pullman sets. It would have been better to design the livery around the features of the power cars (which are, after all, a far more iconic design than the Blue Pullman front end ever was).

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Mr Hosking is trying to recreate the sense of occasion that the Blue Pullman / Midland Pullman / Western Pullman provided, but within a more modern mechanical context. That has to be good commercial thinking, if it pulls in the punters. The HST set looks fabulous in Nangking Blue, so why not? I can only applaud an entrepreneur who sees that passengers will be drawn in by this sort of offering.

Weren't the original Blue Pullman sets notorious for their rough ride anyway? Definitely a good thing that he's used a mechanically superior train rather than being a "hostage to authenticity".

 

[Graham H]

This thread could use a picture....This (Apologies for quality)View attachment 81526 was taken at Paddington in 1967 ish.

the setting sun makes the coaches look umber and cream....or should I just clean my laptop screen !

 

[Journeyman]

If you like this, travel on it. If you don't, don't.

It's blindingly obvious plenty of people will.

 

[CaldicotHalt]

43046 and 43055 are currently on their way back to Eastleigh.

 

[fgwrich]

43046 and 43055 are currently on their way back to Eastleigh.

Do you know if it’s with the set, or just the power cars?