The Blue Pullman Story (Fully Revised and Unabridged)

Since the original publication in 2005, a considerable amount of new material has been unearthed, both from official and private sources. This is all included in this revised and updated edition of the definitive history of these fascinating trains, which spans from their inception in the 1955 Modernisation Plan, through to their final demise in the scrap yards of South Wales two decades later. The development of the Blue Pullmans involved political and management decisions, the trials and tribulations of the actual design and the sometimes difficult involvement of outside design consultants, before their eventual entry into service on the London Midland and Western Regions. It was never a completely settled service. Staffing and labour relations issues, mechanical problems and an eventual concentration of all the sets on the Western Region put too many special trains in one place, whilst at the same time the Pullman brand and the willingness of the travelling public to pay supplementary fares to travel on them was finding less favour. This comprehensive history of these trains includes plans and photographs, many seen here for the very first time. No stone has been left unturned in the quest to tell their full story, one of ambition, hope and eventual despair, and sadly one without a happy ending.

About the Author :
Kevin Robertson had his first article on the local railway published when he was just 14. He took up full-time writing in 1982 and since then has had numerous books on the railway scene published, including The Leader Project: Fiasco or Triumph? which was published by Ian Allan Publishing in 2007 to critical and commercial acclaim. He has written a wide selection of books for the Ian Allan list, and is a particular expert on all things relating to the Southern Region. Kevin also runs his own publishing company, Noodle Books, and currently lives in Corhampton in Hampshire.

Review :
"A true historical record covering in great detail the development from the early meetings to the cars photographed in scrap yards in Wales, rest assured this book will enhance any Pullman library. This book will be the future reference point to anyone wanting to know anything about the history of the Blue Pullman." Pullman Society Journal A much enlarged, revised and updated version of Kevin's earlier books on this iconic train. A fantastic piece of work, absolutely full of facts, thoughts and feelings about the "BP" as it is referred to in the text. Mike is co-author I think and it is my impression that he has written quite a lot of the text. He is clearly an enthusiast and writes with great feeling and has unearthed lots of information and photographs. Being a little bit critical, this is an enormous book and would really have benefitted from a bit of editing, there are quite a lot of value judgments and opinions contained in the text, lots of bonkers details some pictures that will only really appeal to the die hard enthusiast. But all that said it is a fantastic cornucopia of Blue Pullman-ery that will bring pleasure to many and it really is good to see so much information set out in a printed book in these Internet driven days. Who knows what the future holds, a re-engineered Blue Pullman based on redundant HST vehicles or a second edition of this book?! This new volume - fully revised and unabridged - has brought together all the original and new material, as well as extensive additions contributed by co-author Mike Smith, originally inspired by his father who had regularly travelled on the Midland Pullman. Running to almost 400 pages, this tome really does leave no stone unturned. As readers who have digested the specification above will guess, this is a monster publication. Originally published in 2005 the book has now been revised using material unearthed since then and with the help of a second author, Mike Smith, much enlarged. It is a most comprehensive history twice the size of the first edition and covers every aspect of the story of these specialised trains. Purchasers of the book would surely ask if there is anything else to be known about the Blue Pullmans that has not been researched and included. Probably not, which says a lot for the skill and tenacity of the two writers. The saga is set out lugubriously in nearly 400 pages and will offer you a strong palliative if the lockdown continues. The journey is enlightening if long and you will learn much of how the railway ran and thought those sixty years ago. But chit chat aside, it's a good book.