The Blue Pullman Story
AUTHORS: Kevin Robertson and Mike Smith
PUBLISHER: Crećy Publishing ISBN: 978-0-86093-688-6
PRICE: £40.00
WEB: www.crecy.co.uk
THIS PHENOMENAL piece of work was originally published in 2005, but in the intervening years a large amount of additional information has come to light, from both official and private sources. The authors have therefore decided to combine all of the material into this new book, now spanning almost 400 pages. The result must be considered the definitive work on the subject, and it makes for completely fascinating reading. Everything you could ever wish to discover is in here, covering the history of the Blue Pullman from its concept under the 1955 Modernisation Plan right through to its demise in the scrap yards of South Wales two decades later.
The development of Blue Pullman concept from drawing board to reality is gone into in minute detail. It details political and management decisions, the trials and development of the design and the difficulty sometimes of working with outside design consultants. Aimed at providing a premium product for what were mostly business passengers, the trains were a success, especially in the early years. However, there were plenty of problems, especially with labour relations, and paying a supplementary fare to travel in comfort gradually became much less popular. When you add in the problem of concentrating all the sets on the Western Region once the Midland Pullman was withdrawn, these issues eventually came to a head and led to the trains being withdrawn.
However, at the time of their introduction they were something of a marvel, especially in the striking Nanking Blue livery, and in the early years when pride was taken in the job they were kept in immaculate condition and looked superb.
I could easily run out of superlatives to describe this book. It is simply a monumental undertaking and fulfils its brief in a breath-taking manner. Every aspect of the trains is covered, including some previously unreported information. And, as for the photography, well… in addition to the previously published photos there are plenty of new, unpublished shots included that help to set the book apart even more. It is the most comprehensive history of the Blue Pullman that it is possible to write at the moment, and I doubt it will ever be bettered – highly recommended. (MN)