FIRST DAY OF OPERATION FOR THE PULLMAN CAR 14 OBSERVATION CAR - 16th July 2008

Photo Report from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 20th July 2008
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
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Visitors enjoy spectacular views of Corfe Castle from Pullman Car 14 on 16th July 2008

Andrew P.M. Wright has supplied over 60 great photos of the Swanage Railway's restored historic Pullman observation coach in passenger service at Swanage for the first time. To see the full set of photos, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

It was the first time that the Swanage Railway's new Pullman observation car - known as Car 14 - had run as part of a passenger train since 1972.

The year that British Rail closed and lifted the Swanage branch line was also the year that Car 14 ran behind a locomotive for the last time in the USA, ending up in the pacific city of San Francisco.

The wooden carriage - with large glass picture windows on the front and sides - would spend the next 25 years as a conference room and store facility next to an office block in San Francisco.

Pullman Car 14 is prepared for service at Swanage station on 16th July 2008

Thirty six years later from its last run on the rails, Car 14 carried its first fare-paying passengers since 1972 on the 12.30pm Swanage to Herston, Harman's Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden park and ride service on Wednesday 16th July 2008.

Both the Swanage Railway and Car 14 had been restored vividly back to full working life after the dark days of 1972.

Previously on that Wednesday morning, the restored Pullman observation car had been officially welcomed to the Swanage Railway and unveiled when Car 14 major project sponsor Alan Moore CBE cut a special ribbon.

Some 20 dignitaries and significant Car 14 project sponsors then boarded the plush saloon for a return trip on the relaid Purbeck Line - the observation car being shunted on to the front of the 11.10am departure from Swanage station.

Luckily, it was a glorious summer day with azure blue skies.

Visitors enjoy scenic views of the Swanage Railway from Pullman Car 14 on 16th July 2008

So, make sure that you sample a trip in the new observation car. It only costs a £2 supplement on a single journey fare and it is worth every penny.

But, please remember that the observation car is no ordinary carriage and so no pets, pushchairs, food or drink are allowed - and please wipe your feet when you board.

Afterwards, you will never look at the Swanage Railway in quite the same way again. You'll also want to make the trip in Car 14 again and again.

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

The following photos showing are courtesy of Swanage Railway press officer and official photographer Andrew P.M. Wright.