HISTORIC ‘FLYING SCOTSMAN’ PULLMAN OBSERVATION CAR RESCUED FROM THE USA TO MAKE ITS FIRST RUN AT SWANAGE ON WEDNESDAY, 16 JULY 2008.

Photo Report from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 2nd July 2008
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
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Swanage Railway Trust Deputy Chairman, Steve Doughty, with Pullman Observation Car 14

An historic Pullman observation coach rescued from the west coast of the USA - and once hauled by the world famous ‘Flying Scotsman’ steam locomotive - is to make its first run on the Swanage Railway, thanks to an ambitious £100,000 project by the Purbeck Line volunteers.

The newly restored luxurious railway carriage built at Brighton in 1947 - converted for use on the prestigious ‘Devon Belle’ express train between London and north Devon during the days of steam - is to be unveiled at Swanage station and make its inaugural trip on Wednesday, 16 July 2008.

A special unveiling ceremony to mark the occasion takes place at Swanage at 10.30am with the observation car leaving as part of the 11.10am train bound for Herston, Harman’s Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden park and ride.

The prestigious craftsman-built wooden observation coach with large picture windows - known as Car 14 - was transported by road from San Francisco in California the 500 miles south to Long Beach, near Los Angeles, in January, 2007.

It was loaded on to the 66,532 tonne roll-on, roll-off ship ‘MV Taiko’ of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics and departed the port of Long Beach in late January, 2007, for its month-long 8,000 nautical mile journey to the UK via the Panama Canal. It arrived at Southampton Docks in late February, 2007.

First conceived eight years ago, the £100,000 project has been achieved thanks to well known heritage railway benefactor Alan Moore and to members of the Swanage Railway Trust, with some £35,000 being spent on the return from the USA and the balance on restoration. Some £38,000 is still needed to repay costs underwritten by the Trust's general fund'.

After a year-long restoration at Ramparts in Derby, the observation coach has now arrived on the award-winning Swanage Railway for an active working life being hauled by steam locomotives on the relaid Purbeck Line.

Swanage Railway Trust Deputy Chairman, Steve Doughty, inside restored Pullman Observation Car 14

Swanage Railway Trust deputy chairman, Steve Doughty, said: “The repatriation and restoration of the observation coach Car 14 has secured its future and enabled it to do what it was built to do; providing passengers with a wonderful way to enjoy the Purbeck countryside from the comfort of a train.

“It also offers the potential for the Swanage Railway to further enhance its service to passengers and the relaid Purbeck Line’s reputation as an innovator among heritage railways in the United Kingdom,” he added.

Before being repatriated back to the UK, the Pullman observation coach fronted an office building in San Francisco, California, after being left on the quayside at the end of the ill-fated ‘Flying Scotsman’ tour of the USA and Canada back in 1971.

Steve Doughty explained: “Used variously as a café, conference room and a humble store over the last thirty years, the owners decided to renovate the offices and concluded that they no longer require the coach. Agreement was reached with the Swanage Railway Trust for the coach to return home, not just to England but to Southern Railway metals and a new working life on the Swanage Railway."

Swanage Railway Trust Deputy Chairman, Steve Doughty, with restored Pullman Observation Car 14

The coach - officially known as Car 14 - is one of two vehicles converted by the Pullman Company at its Preston Park works in Brighton during 1947 with seating for 27 passengers and a bar for a drinks service. Rebuilt from earlier Pullman cars constructed on ex-London and North Western Railway underframes, they were converted for the ‘Devon Belle’ service from Waterloo to Ilfracombe.

After the 'Devon Belle' service ended in 1954, the observation cars were used on charter services, ending up on the Scottish Region in 1961 on the lines between Inverness and the Kyle of Lochalsh and from Glasgow to Oban.

After withdrawal in 1967 with the end of steam, Car 14 went to North America as part of the 'Flying Scotsman’ tour train of 1969. Traveling extensively around the USA and Canada, the car was exhibited with the train at the 1970 Toronto exhibition before ending up in San Francisco where it remained.

Donations to the Pullman restoration project can be made to the Swanage Railway Trust (Devon Belle Fund), Station House, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1HB or on-line by debit or credit card via the Trust’s website at ‘www.swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk’ by following this link.

The Swanage Railway Trust website now has an Appeals section with the ability to make online donations to the Devon Belle Fund, the Churchill Project, the Heritage Coach Fund and to the General Fund.

Donations are processed via PayPal and the payment process includes an electronic Gift Aid form that conforms to HMR&C requirements. Donors do not need a PayPal account.

Please click here to visit the Swanage Railway Trust Appeals section at http://www.swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk/appeals/index.htm

Contact details:
Steve Doughty
Deputy Chairman
Swanage Railway Trust
Station House
Swanage
DORSET
BH19 1HB
Tel: 07860-108754
Email: stephen.doughty1@btopenworld.com