1970,s south wales pullman

[elgin10]

I would like to model the train that I used to travel on (on Mondays!) between Swansea and Paddington in the 1970,s . I was thinking of modifying one of the existing Midland Pullman sets but what will I need to do?

Any help would be welcome

[RosiesBoss]

G'day, elgin10,

 

While not claiming to be an expert re the Blue Pullman, I did do some research into the vehicles when converting old Tri-ang models into an 8-coach WR set, described here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/67038-blue-pullman-cheap-and-cheerful/.

 

There were two distinct versions:

1. The Midland 6-coach sets, comprising:

• Motor brake 1st (type 1)
• Kitchen car (type 4)
• Parlour 1st Car (type 6)
• Parlour 1st Car (type 6)
• Kitchen car (type 4)
• Motor brake 1st (type 1)

2. The WR 8-coach sets, comprising:

• Motor brake 2nd (type 2)
• Parlour 2nd car (type 3)
• Kitchen car (type 5)
• Parlour 1st Car (type 6)
• Parlour 1st Car (type 6)
• Kitchen car (type 5)
• Parlour 2nd car (type 3)
• Motor brake 2nd (type 2)

As you can see, the only cars common to the two versions were the type 6 parlour cars.

 

Bachmann have made the Midland version.

 

To complicate matters further, the 6-car sets were transferred to the WR in 1966, to operate a short-lived Oxford Pullman, occasional Bristol-Paddington services (using 2 sets coupled together), and a Paddington-Swansea service.

 

For more detail, refer to "Modern Locomotives Illustrated #176", published in Apr-May 2009, which describes both the Blue Pullmans and the APTs.

 

I understand the Kevin Robertson has published at least 3 books describing and illustrating the Blue Pullmans in service.

 

I hope this is of some help.

 

Regards,

 

Rob

[elgin10]

Thanks, Rob. That's most helpful and I will do further research. I has hoped the midland set might form more of the welsh  set but obviously not!

thanks again,

Nigel  

[kevinlms]

This clearly shows the disadvantage of the Blue Pullman concept, difficult to justify as basically unique vehicles, which were difficult to utilise for alternative services.

 

The HST concept on the other hand, was able to be extensively used throughout the country, with only changes in 1/ the number of cars & 2/ changes to the catering facilities. Power cars were virtually identical in usage, as were the 1st, 2nd/Standard & TGS vehicles. The biggest changes affecting usage were the various ownerships in later years.

[elgin10]

Kevin,

Thanks for that. I hadn't realised that the Pullmans were so varied which probably explains why they didn't last very long. They were also a very uncomfortable ride and the poor attendants had a rough time. Having said that, the attendants didn't change very often and I think I had the same senior one for many months! Lovely man!

Thanks again,

elgin10