The Midland Pullman’s relaxed schedule
Of the five sets of British Railways Blue Pullman units, two were allocated to the Midland Region, based in Manchester. They commenced service in June 1960. The Midland Region managers did not impose an onerous schedule on them. This publicity leaflet showed the original timetable that required the use of only one of the sets: the other was idle. The first-class only service was geared to Manchester businessmen, but many deemed the London noontime arrival as being too late for conducting effective business. The timetable was soon amended accordingly. There was an off-peak afternoon round-trip to Leicester before the train headed back to Manchester, but that generated little additional custom.
Although the Midland Pullman presented a bright new image for the fast-modernising British Railways, the service was not a money-spinner, the trains incurring high staffing costs from the catering and at-seat service.
The popularity of the Midland Pullman was also blunted with its clientele by the trains’ poor riding qualities. Deficiencies in the bogies’ design became apparent during testing but were never adequately resolved.
The 3-hour journey took the train through attractive scenery through the Peak District. But the service became redundant when the main line from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston was electrified from April 1966. Journeys on the electric-hauled Manchester Pullman could be completed some 30 minutes quicker. The two Midland Pullman sets were transferred to the Western Region in 1967. The old Manchester Central terminus was closed as part of the Beeching rationalisations, as was the scenic Peak District mainline - a widely-regretted loss.
The Midland Pullman’s relaxed schedule
Of the five sets of British Railways Blue Pullman units, two were allocated to the Midland Region, based in Manchester. They commenced service in June 1960. The Midland Region managers did not impose an onerous schedule on them. This publicity leaflet showed the original timetable that required the use of only one of the sets: the other was idle. The first-class only service was geared to Manchester businessmen, but many deemed the London noontime arrival as being too late for conducting effective business. The timetable was soon amended accordingly. There was an off-peak afternoon round-trip to Leicester before the train headed back to Manchester, but that generated little additional custom.
Although the Midland Pullman presented a bright new image for the fast-modernising British Railways, the service was not a money-spinner, the trains incurring high staffing costs from the catering and at-seat service.
The popularity of the Midland Pullman was also blunted with its clientele by the trains’ poor riding qualities. Deficiencies in the bogies’ design became apparent during testing but were never adequately resolved.
The 3-hour journey took the train through attractive scenery through the Peak District. But the service became redundant when the main line from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston was electrified from April 1966. Journeys on the electric-hauled Manchester Pullman could be completed some 30 minutes quicker. The two Midland Pullman sets were transferred to the Western Region in 1967. The old Manchester Central terminus was closed as part of the Beeching rationalisations, as was the scenic Peak District mainline - a widely-regretted loss.