The British Pullman

Venice Simplon Orient Express (VSOE) operate a number of exclusive luxury train services, re-creating the glamour of rail travel in the 1920s and 1930s. In Britain, they operate the 'Northern Belle' (formed from converted 'Mark 2' coaches) and the 'British Pullman' (formed from restored 'Pullman' coaches).

Many of the 'British Pullman' trains operate from London's Victoria station and VSOE have their carriage workshops nearby at Stewarts Lane. On 11th April 2013, I was shown around the workshops by Julian, the Fleet Maintenance Manager.

The site is shared with Southern and Gatwick Express and, on entering the site, the modern Carriage Servicing and Inspection shed used by the Southern and Gatwick Express trains dominates the view. Julian led me under two railway bridges to reach the former Carriage and Wagon Shed now occupied by VSOE. After looking at carriage restoration work in progress, we moved on to the adjacent building, the former Electric Locomotive Running Shed, now used as a base for preserved Bulleid 'Pacific' 35078 'Clan Line', which is a regular performer on steam-hauled 'British Pullman' trains.

35078 'Clan Line' being prepared to haul the 'British Pullman' the following day.

We then made our way to the modern Carriage Servicing and Inspection shed, where the 'British Pullman' train is normally stabled. Julian and I climbed into the Support Coach at the south end of the rake, walked the length of the train (with me taking photographs) then retraced our route to the Support Coach.

Support Coach:

The Support Coach is a Brake/Composite with the normal Guard's Compartment, seating for staff and space for comprehensive spares.

ZENA:



ZENA was built in 1928 and, after working on Ocean Liner services to Plymouth and the 'Torbay Pullman' for the Great Western, she moved to the Southern, working Southampton Boat Trains and the 'Bournemouth Belle'. After World Warr II, she variously worked on the 'Queen of Scots', the 'Yorkshire Pullman', the 'Tees-Tyne Pullman' and the 'South Wales Pullman'. In 1965 she formed part of the final 'Tees-Tyne Pullman' before being taken out of service. She was initially acquired by Terry Robinson, then sold to VSOE in 1979.

VERA:



VERA entered service as a First Class Kitchen Car on the 'Southern Belle' electric train in 1932. During World War II, she suffered serious bomb damage at Victoria Station. Following rebuilding, she joined the 'Brighton Belle' in 1947. After withdrawal, she served as a 'Garden House' before being bought by VSOE for restoration in 1985. The decorative panelling is sandalwood with a mahogany border and the marquetry features gazelles and palm trees. Substantial changes to the chassis and couplings were necessary to make this vehicle suitable for running in a locomotive-hauled train.

GWEN:



'Gwen', built in 1932 for the 'Brighton Belle', was withdrawn in 1972. After serving as a restaurant in Essex, she was displayed at the Colne Valley Railway and finally acquired by VSOE in 1988. After a long period of restoration, she joined the 'British Pullman' in 1999.

PERSEUS:



Although construction started in 1938, the war delayed completion until 1951 when 'Perseus' joined the new 'Golden Arrow' which formed part of the Festival of Britain celebrations. The car continued on the 'Golden Arrow' until the last-ever run on 30th September 1972, after which it was preserved on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway prior to being bought by VSOE in 1977. It is panelled in ash and decorated with old prints.

PHOENIX:



Built in 1927, this First Class Parlour Car was originally named 'RAINBOW'. Destroyed by fire in 1936, the chassis was stored until 1952 when it was rebuilt for service on the 'Golden Arrow' and renamed 'Phoenix'. Following withdrawal, 'Phoenix' initially became a restaurant near Lyon, France, before being bought by VSOE in 1980. Present decoration incorporates oval frames with marquetry flowers using American cherry wood.

MINERVA:



Built in 1927 and featuring delicate Edwardian-style marquetry, 'Minerva' worked various Southern Railway 'Pullman' routes before being stored during World War II. In 1947, she joined the 'Devon Belle' then, in 1951, she was refurbished (as a First Class Parlour Car with Guard's Compartment) before joining the 'Golden Arrow'. Upon withdrawal in 1961, she was preserved at the Lytham Railway Museum before being acquired by VSOE in 1981.

IBIS:



Built in 1925, 'Ibis' is the oldest car in the British Pullman. It was sold to the Wagon-Lits company and operated in Italy and France before returning to England. Following rebuilding, it operated from 1930 to 1952 on the 'Golden Arrow' then from 1952 to 1963 on the Cunard Boat Trains between London Victoria and Southampton. 'Ibis' was initially preserved at the Dart Valley Railway then at the Standard Gauge Steam Trust before being acquired by VSOE. Internal decoration includes a number of oval medallions in marquetry showing a Greek dancing girl.

AUDREY:



'Audrey' was built in 1932 as a First Class Kitchen Car for the electric 'Southern Belle'. The distinctive decor features twelve different marquetry landscapes. During World War II, 'Audrey' (along with 'Vera') suffered bomb damage at Victoria Station. She operated on the 'Brighton Belle' until 1972, when the train was withdrawn. 'Audrey' was bought by David Lowther and, in 1980, she took part in the 'Cavalcade' at Rainhill celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.

LUCILLE:



'Lucille' was built in 1928 as a First Class Parlour Car for the 'Queen of Scots', moving to the Southern Region in 1963 to form part of the 'Bournemouth Belle'. She was bought in 1967 by Mr. Lewis-Evans as his accomodation at the South Eastern Steam Centre in Ashford. When the Steam Centre was sold-off, VSOE acquired 'Lucille' for restoration. The interior features marquetry panels using dyed green holly wood depicting Grecian urns.

Generator Car:

The 'British Pullman' is fitted with Electric Train Heating (ETH) supplied from an engine-generator set mounted in a noise-reducing housing in the Generator Car.

My thanks go to VSOE and the Fleet Maintenance Manager for making this visit possible.

Since I wrote this post, the 'VSOE' brand has been discontinued and these services are operated by Belmond. For more details of the railway trips offered in Britain by the 'Northern Belle' and the 'British Pullman, go to the Belmond site.

My Pictures

The British Pullman.

[Updated to show operator as Belmond 28-Feb-2019]