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 .

NOVEMBER UPDATE AND STILL LOOKS VERY BLEAK FOR 2020/21 :(

Sadly as expected there are still no actual exhibition events, nor open / runnings days to enjoy for us. Looking at the calendar for November and December everything is cancelled bar a couple of 'virtual' events being run via social media and YouTube....well done to them for at least trying to keep things going. With Boris announcing a month long 'lockdown' for England and the Welsh/Scots also having their own break I think we can say that 2020 is a right off generally and maybe 2021 can offer something.

Big shame as was going to promote the opening of the 'Famous Trains' model railway in Derby (above) "http://www.famoustrains.org.uk/ who were opening their doors on the weekends to raise money for the Royal British Legion during November, sadly the lockdown looks like it will bring that to a close for the time being. They were planning on running a variety of trains to cover many different era's including military trains. 

Until now all we've had to enjoy were a few 'virtual' shows being held on You Tube and we've another one of these later this month from the Warley Model Railway Club who usually host one of the largest shows of the year at the NEC Birmingham (above pic from 2019). We will update a post about that later in the month, but will be taking place via Facebook pages and You Tube towards the end of November.

The Heritage Railway scene had been doing it's best to return to a Covid secure operation and while most would have closed for Winter about now, they would have been preparing for the annual 'Santa Specials' during December. Hopefully this can still happen and is a very popular time of year also allows for some revenue to be earned by these heritage concerns which helps to get essential work completed before the usual reopening the following spring.

We sincerely hope that life will begin to return to some sort of normal in 2021, certainly have missed being out and about to shows and open days this year. Although from what I read recently there has been a resurgence in modelling overall during the lock down process. And I think having been 'starved' of live events this year, when they do finally reopen again I believe they will be busier than ever.

THE PENDLE DALESMAN RAILTOUR - Thursday 29th October

Thursday 29th October
The Pendle Dalesman Railtour

This tour will run from Chesterfield to Carlisle and back again, initially hauled by heritage diesels it will be handed over to it's designated Steam Locomotive from Carnforth which will continue the journey over the famous Settle to Carlisle route which would include the outstanding Ribblehead Viaduct. . 

Departing Stations: Chesterfield, Sheffield, Swinton, Wakefield Kirkgate, Brighouse, Blackburn

Enjoy a nostalgic day to remember, travelling behind our splendid vintage steam engine along England's most famous railway. From our earlier pick up points we head north behind a vintage diesel engine to Hellifield/Carnforth where one of the oldest steam engines in service today will take over, this alone is a sight to behold as the engine builds up sufficient steam for the highlight of your journey on the famous Settle to Carlisle line.

The Settle-Carlisle Railway on which we will travel needs no introduction; this breath-taking journey will take you over 20 viaducts, through 14 tunnels and countless beautiful vistas. The climb over Blea Moor and the crossing of the world renowned Ribblehead Viaduct are arguably the highlights of England´s most scenic Railway.

We anticipate an afternoon arrival time offering a couple of hours or so break. This great border city dominates the borderlands between England and Scotland, sitting within the vale between the Cumbrian Mountains and Scottish Southern Uplands. In Carlisle you’ll find yourself at the centre of a stirring past and a vibrant present. Many of the city’s eateries and licensed premises are just a few minutes’ walk from the station entrance and if you visit www.discovercarlisle.co.uk you will find information to help you plan ahead. And for those who would prefer to use their short break to wander around in the beautiful and historic heart of the city you may choose to visit the Castle, cathedral or indeed the Tullie House Museum.

After a break of around two hours in Carlisle, we head south across some of the finest countryside Great Britain has to offer, where we head to your home stations via the famous Settle to Carlisle line in the comfort of our beautifully restored heritage rolling stock. Return journey from Carlisle leaves around 15:30 and gets into Chesterfield around 21:30 so that's a long old day on the trains, wonderful scenery and company, I hope all about thoroughly enjoy yourselves.

Approximate Departure Times
Chesterfield                 06:31
Sheffield                      06:51
Swinton                       07:07
Wakefield Kirkgate      07:52 
Brighouse                    08:40
Blackburn                    10:07

Arrival at Carlisle is expected around 13:18

Info provided by realtime trains