£30,000 APPEAL TO SAVE & RETURN TO THE UK A ‘FLYING SCOTSMAN’ PULLMAN OBSERVATION COACH FROM THE USA

Press Release from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 20th September 2006
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
All photographs are copyright as acknowledged
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To see our dedicated news page with the latest information from Steve Doughty on the return of Pullman Observation Car 14 to the UK, please click here.

Please scroll down the page for details of how to easily contribute to this project

Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14 at the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, 1970
Photo copyright Michael Taylor

A £30,000 appeal has been launched by Swanage Railway volunteers to save a Pullman observation coach from the USA that was hauled by the world famous ‘Flying Scotsman’ steam locomotive – and return it to England.

The plan is to transport the luxurious 1947-built railway carriage – converted for use on the prestigious ‘Devon Belle’ express train between London and north Devon during the days of steam – for a new working life on Dorset’s relaid Purbeck Line.

Swanage Railway Trust deputy chairman, Steve Doughty, said: “The repatriation and restoration of the observation coach – known as Car 14 – will secure its future and enable 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.

Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14 in its current location
Photo copyright Steve Doughty

Currently located in San Francisco, California, the Pullman observation car has fronted an office building since being left on the quayside at the end of the ill-fated ‘Flying Scotsman’ tour of the USA and Canada back in 1971.

To see a set of photographs from Andy Sturt showing Pullman Observation Car No 14 and the Flying Scotsman Special Tour Train being prepared at Twickenham in August 1969, please click here.

Steve Doughty explained: “Used variously as a café, conference room and a humble store over the last thirty years, the owners have decided to renovate the offices and have concluded that they no longer require the car.

“Agreement has been 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. Sir William McAlpine, who helped rescue ‘Flying Scotsman’ from that same American quayside, has expressed his support for the project,” added Mr Doughty.

The coach – officially known as Car 14 – is one of two vehicles converted by the Pullman Company at their Preston Park works in Brighton during 1947 with seating for 27 passengers and a bar for 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.

Car 14 crosses from Canada into USA, June, 1971
Photo copyright Michael Taylor

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 after the locomotive was returned to the UK. It has remained there ever since, out of reach until now.

Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14's empty interior today, and as it was in its heydey.
Swanage Railway volunteers hope to restore it to original Pullman condition, complete with bar.
Photos copyright Steve Doughty and NRM

Steve Doughty explained: “Although some refurbishment will be required, Car 14 retains many of its original features, offering the Swanage Railway Trust the potential to return the car to near original condition. It is hoped that Car 14 will return to the UK early in 2007.

“The Swanage Railway Trust has already secured funding for the project, thanks to the generosity of Trust member and benefactor Alan Moore whose has offered to fund half the cost of the return – estimated to cost £30,000.

“An interest free loan has also been secured to cover the balance, but as this and restoration costs will still have to be covered, the Trust is launching an appeal to raise a further £30,000.

“The Swanage Railway Trust is also currently engaged in promoting another appeal to help rescue an important piece of British railway history from the United States – the repatriation of the Churchill funeral van No. S2464S. That appeal remains open and donations can still be made. "I have been helped enormously in trying to achieve both of these projects by émigré British enthusiast Ivan Godfrey, who is based in Mexico,” added Mr Doughty. Please click here for more information on the Churchill Project.

The Swanage Railway Trust has already returned two Pullman cars to the UK.

“These two carriages – named ‘Lydia’ and ‘Isle of Thanet’ – are an interesting link between the Car 14 and the Churchill funeral van projects because the two Pullman carriages formed part of Winston Churchill’s 1965 funeral train – along with No. S2464S – and were part of the 1971 ‘Flying Scotsman’ tour train of the United States with Car 14,” added Mr Doughty.

Donations to the Pullman repatriation and 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#Devon

In the event that the project is not successful, donations received with a return address will be refunded. Any balance will go to progress other projects.

Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14 in original condition

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