SETTLE & CARLISLE PULLMAN - SATURDAY 22nd JANUARY 2022

Departure from;

Eastleigh (pu) - Winchester (pu) - Micheldever (pu) - Basingstoke (pu) - Reading (pu) - Maidenhead (pu) - Slough (pu) - Watford Junction (pu) then fast to the Settle and Carlisle reaching Carlisle around lunchtime.

This specially preserved HST set run by Midland Pullman are pleased to offer this very special New Year rail tour  special circular tour including a journey over the entire majestic route of the famous Settle to Carlisle railway and Cumbrian Fells. The Midland Pullman, was Britain’s first luxury high speed diesel-electric train, running in the early 1960’s between Manchester Central and London St Pancras. Beautifully refurbished carriages hark back to the days when you could truly unwind and enjoy the journey. The comfortable Pullman and first class carriages have leather cushioned seating, generously sized tables, and plenty of room to stretch your legs.

With great limestone peaks and deep valleys, we travel over no fewer than 19 viaducts and through 12 tunnels on this masterpiece of Victorian engineering – including the famous Ribblehead Viaduct Our train heads into the Yorkshire Dales for a spectacular journey over the magnificent high Pennines with the prospect of snow-covered mountains as they glisten in winter sunshine. The sheer scale of the scenery is apparent as we pass such famous landmarks as Batty Moss, Wild Boar Fell and Mallerstang Edge, with views of the three peaks towering over the line.

One magnificent sight follows another before we gradually descend into the tranquil Eden Valley to the border city of Carlisle for a lunchtime break of around 2 hours. We return over the west coast route passing Penrith, climbing over Shap summit and through the pretty Lune Gorge affording stunning views of the Cumbrian mountains, thence through historic Lancaster and Preston.

Blue Pullman, A brief history.

In July 1960 the Midland Pullman was relaunched as a luxury all-first-class service using two new Blue Pullman six-car diesel-electric units. The Blue Pullmans were luxury trains used from 1960 to 1973 by British Rail. They were the first Pullman diesel-electric multiple units, incorporating several novel features.

Named after their original Nanking blue livery, the trains were conceived under the 1955 modernisation plan to create luxury diesel express trains aimed at competing with the motor car and the emerging domestic air travel market. Although not entirely successful – they were seen as underpowered, and ultimately not economically viable – they demonstrated the possibility of fixed-formation multiple-unit inter-city train services, that a decade later was developed as the InterCity 125, which resembled them in having an integral power car at each end of the train. The sets were an advanced and luxurious design, befitting a Pullman train, although they did suffer some criticism particularly over a persistent ride quality problem. Over time it became costly to maintain such a small fleet of trains. By 1972, with the development of first-class accommodation in Mark 2 coaching stock, the surcharge for Blue Pullmans seemed uneconomical and unreliable to passengers and BR managers, and in 1973 the trains were withdrawn. Sadly none of the class were preserved.

THE WHITBY JET RAILTOUR - FRIDAY 12th NOVEMBER 2021

THE WHITBY JET RAILTOUR

  Friday 12th November 2021

Departing From;

FINSBURY PARK,  HERTFORD NORTH,  STEVENAGE,  LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY,  ROYSTON,  CAMBRIDGE,  ELY,  MARCH,  PETERBOROUGH,  GRANTHAM.

This specially preserved HST set run by Midland Pullman are pleased to offer this incredibly special tour as we travel through the Vale of York, then along the East Coast route to Middlesbrough, and into the vast open moorland.  We meander through the magnificent forests and dales of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park with its picturesque villages of honey sandstone, embattled castles & historic abbeys to the ancient fishing town of Whitby, where around two hours will be available at your leisure.

The Esk Valley line is widely considered to be one of the hidden gems of the railway network.  It offers a succession of stunning views along its 36 miles from Middlesbrough to the traditional fishing port of Whitby. Leaving urban life behind we journey into the North Yorkshire Moors National Park passing isolated communities and beside the River Esk to the beautiful fishing port of Whitby with its narrow-cobbled streets, bustling harbour, and intriguing curio shops. 

During your stay consider enjoying the best fish n chips in Britain and walk it off by climbing the 199 steps that lead from the old town up to the ruins of St Hilda’s Abbey which dominates the skyline and inspired Bram Stoker to write his novel, Dracula.

Blue Pullman, A brief history.

In July 1960 the Midland Pullman was relaunched as a luxury all-first-class service using two new Blue Pullman six-car diesel-electric units. The Blue Pullmans were luxury trains used from 1960 to 1973 by British Rail. They were the first Pullman diesel-electric multiple units, incorporating several novel features.

Named after their original Nanking blue livery, the trains were conceived under the 1955 Modernisation Plan to create luxury diesel express trains aimed at competing with the motor car and the emerging domestic air travel market. Although not entirely successful – they were seen as underpowered, and ultimately not economically viable – they demonstrated the possibility of fixed-formation multiple-unit inter-city train services, that a decade later was developed as the InterCity 125, which resembled them in having an integral power car at each end of the train. The sets were an advanced and luxurious design, befitting a Pullman train, although they did suffer some criticism particularly over a persistent ride quality problem. Over time it became costly to maintain such a small fleet of trains. By 1972, with the development of first-class accommodation in Mark 2 coaching stock, the surcharge for Blue Pullmans seemed uneconomical and unreliable to passengers and BR managers, and in 1973 the trains were withdrawn. None of them were preserved.

THE MIDLAND PULLMAN -- Inaugural Working -- SATURDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2020 [Postponed till 12 December now]

Locomotive Services Ltd (LSL), under their Statesman Rail trading name, will be running a brand new railtour on Saturday the 14th November 2020, featuring their Class 43 (High-Speed Train (HST). Statesman Rail is recreating a lost high-speed luxury train first launched in the 1960s, running between London St Pancras and Manchester Piccadilly. Hauling passengers on this fantastic tour will be LSL’s Class 43 HST set carrying the Nanking blue livery.

Departing From
LONDON ST PANCRAS - ST ALBANS - LUTON - BEDFORD

* Due to the recent Government announcement that a short lockdown is about to be enforced from 5th November 2020,  this service has unfortunately been postponed by the Tour Operator until 12th December 2020 *

The Midland Pullman was Britain’s first luxury high speed diesel-electric train running in the early 1960’s between Manchester Central and London St Pancras, 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 – To celebrate the 60th anniversary of this iconic train we are honoured to present our own refurbished high speed train as a faithful revival.

This inaugural train will offer a circular tour running between London St Pancras and Crewe following as closely as possible the original route to Leicester and along the Midland Main Line and the Erewash Valley. At Chesterfield we join the Hope Valley through the stunningly beautiful Derbyshire Peak District National Park offering amazing views of Mam Tor and Kinder Scout.

 

We continue through Stockport and rural Cheshire to Crewe and then travel across the Midlands via the Potteries, Stoke-on-Trent, Tamworth and Nuneaton to Leicester where we join the seldom used line through Rutland passing Melton Mowbray, Oakham, Corby and Kettering.

Blue Pullman, A brief history.

In July 1960 the Midland Pullman was relaunched as a luxury all-first-class service using two new Blue Pullman six-car diesel-electric units. The Blue Pullmans were luxury trains used from 1960 to 1973 by British Rail. They were the first Pullman diesel-electric multiple units, incorporating several novel features.

Named after their original Nanking blue livery, the trains were conceived under the 1955 Modernisation Plan to create luxury diesel express trains aimed at competing with the motor car and the emerging domestic air travel market. Although not entirely successful – they were seen as underpowered, and ultimately not economically viable – they demonstrated the possibility of fixed-formation multiple-unit inter-city train services, that a decade later was developed as the InterCity 125, which resembled them in having an integral power car at each end of the train.

The sets were an advanced and luxurious design, befitting a Pullman train, although they did suffer some criticism particularly over a persistent ride quality problem. Over time it became costly to maintain such a small fleet of trains. By 1972, with the development of first-class accommodation in Mark 2 coaching stock, the surcharge for Blue Pullmans seemed uneconomical and unreliable to passengers and BR managers, and in 1973 the trains were withdrawn. None of them were preserved .