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Midland Pullman
Last edited by
railwayadam
• 3 weeks ago
The Midland Pullman is a premier luxury charter service that utilizes a distinctive Nanking Blue HST set to provide high-end dining excursions across the UK rail network
Founded
2020
Status
Active
Country
UK
Also known as:
blue midland pullman, blue pullman
The modern Midland Pullman is a luxury dining excursion service that reimagines the "Golden Age" of rail travel for the 21st century. Operated by Locomotive Services Group (LSG), it consists of a fully refurbished High Speed Train (HST) set painted in a striking Nanking Blue and white livery, directly evoking the aesthetics of the original 1960s "Blue Pullman" units. Unlike standard passenger services, the Midland Pullman functions as a high-end "land cruise," offering all-first-class seating with silver service dining as it traverses scenic routes across England, Scotland, and Wales.
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The brand has a storied history, originally debuting in July 1960 as British Railways' flagship luxury diesel-electric service between London St Pancras and Manchester. While the original fleet was withdrawn in 1966 due to the electrification of the West Coast Main Line, the "Midland Pullman" name became a legend among enthusiasts for its pioneering air-conditioning and integrated catering. After several short-lived revival attempts by other charter companies in the 2000s, the current iteration was launched in December 2020, utilizing the iconic HST platform to bring reliable, 125-mph luxury back to the national network.
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For enthusiasts, the Midland Pullman is a masterclass in heritage preservation within a modern operational framework. The set is typically powered by two Class 43 power cars (notably 43046 and 43055), with 43046 famously carrying one of the longest nameplates in UK rail history: "Geoff Drury 1930-1999 – Steam Preservation and Computerised Track Recording Pioneer." The formation includes nine Mark 3 coaches that have been stripped and rebuilt with opulent interiors, ensuring that one of the most beloved train designs of the British Rail era continues to run in a prestigious, high-profile role.
+2
The brand has a storied history, originally debuting in July 1960 as British Railways' flagship luxury diesel-electric service between London St Pancras and Manchester. While the original fleet was withdrawn in 1966 due to the electrification of the West Coast Main Line, the "Midland Pullman" name became a legend among enthusiasts for its pioneering air-conditioning and integrated catering. After several short-lived revival attempts by other charter companies in the 2000s, the current iteration was launched in December 2020, utilizing the iconic HST platform to bring reliable, 125-mph luxury back to the national network.
+2
For enthusiasts, the Midland Pullman is a masterclass in heritage preservation within a modern operational framework. The set is typically powered by two Class 43 power cars (notably 43046 and 43055), with 43046 famously carrying one of the longest nameplates in UK rail history: "Geoff Drury 1930-1999 – Steam Preservation and Computerised Track Recording Pioneer." The formation includes nine Mark 3 coaches that have been stripped and rebuilt with opulent interiors, ensuring that one of the most beloved train designs of the British Rail era continues to run in a prestigious, high-profile role.
![43055 + 43046 HST on the Bath Christmas Pullman [Midland Pullman] 10/12/22](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aLNEkwVxUCk/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEbCKgBEF5IVfKriqkDDggBFQAAiEIYAXABwAEG&rs=AOn4CLAYU6wVhmsiFgRgL_DaH-VNThObsw)
