We are pleased to announce the arrival of CARINA our very first Pullman Car. Part of a larger project over the next 5 years this will form one of the centre pieces of our collection.
Over the last few years, we have bid unsuccessfully on various Pullman’s including this very one! Its in need of a complete overhaul but has an amazing history which was a big part of our decision to acquire it.
Built by the Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Company Limited. Smethwick, Birmingham, it entered into Pullman service on the 11th June 1951, forming a part of the new ‘Golden Arrow’ train. Many important and famous people of the time travelled in it, however its most memorable duty was when it was marshalled into the Sir Winston Churchill Funeral train, immediately behind the vehicle carrying his coffin. CARINA was used exclusively by his family on this sombre occasion on the 30th January 1965.
It was also used on the last ever Golden Arrow service to run in the UK, on the 30th September 1972, departing from London Victoria station at 1030. After which it was put up for disposal along with other Pullmans. After a brief period on the Longmoor Military Railway. CARINA & PHOENIX departed for a new life in France. They travelled by road to Hotel Mercure, Dardilly, Lyon where they remained until 1980.
A return to the UK was made possible when the Venice Simplon Orient Express Company purchased CARINA and she returned, having been stored variously at Carnforth, Stewarts Lane, then was sold to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, then the Bluebell Railway and finally arriving at The Churnet Valley Railway.
This is a level of refurbishment work which will take a considerable amount of time, but when complete, will allow or customers to enjoy another level of train travel which could almost have been lost for forever.