PROGRESS REPORT ON THE RESTORATION OF THE SWANAGE RAILWAY'S DEVON BELLE PULLMAN OBSERVATION CAR 14 AT DERBY - Friday 29th February 2008

Progress Report from Steve Doughty - dated 2nd March 2008
Car 14 Project Leader and Deputy Chairman, Swanage Railway Trust
Photographs are copyright Steve Doughty unless otherwise noted To view a larger version of any photograph on this page, just click on the thumbnail photograph and subsequently use the Back button on your browser to return to this page.

Please scroll down the page for details of how to easily contribute to this project

Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14

Swanage Railway volunteers report significant progress with the restoration of an historic Pullman observation coach that was once hauled by the world famous ‘Flying Scotsman’ steam locomotive and rescued from the west coast of the USA .

Steve Doughty writes:

Work on Car 14 continues apace, and I inspected progress with at Ramparts in Derby on Friday 29th February. The car is now externally finished, bar the fitting of the doors, and looks magnificent. Inside, the next job is the fitting of the carpet, which is due to be done on Friday 7th March. After that, the seats will be installed.

Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14 resplendent in its new paintwork awaiting fitting of the doors.

On the inside we have had to do a bit more work than we had hoped, although this is not really bad news as this has helped to further restore the car to her original condition and reduces the amount of the work to be done later. Essentially, this has involved the removal of the ‘mock English pub’ interior that was installed for the ‘Flying Scotsman tour of the USA from the observation end. This was necessary for two reasons. Firstly, the additional panelling had reduced the interior width such that the original seat design would not fit. Secondly, much of this interior was in poor condition and at risk of coming away from the sides and more importantly, the ceiling. This was clearly something of a safety hazard and as such made the decision easy.

Removal has revealed more of the original features of the car – fortunately the sidewall panels had merely been covered over not removed so we can now enjoy the original profile. We have also discovered the original lighting circuits and while the lamp fittings are sadly long gone, when connected up we were delighted to find that they still worked! The main job still to be completed now is the seats, which are now being made. We have received the seat material, known as moquette, which has been produced to the original design in maroon with a gold pattern. We have decided not to go for a carpet to the original design partly because of cost (some £3000) but also because it would need to be replaced when we undertake the restoration of the original bar area as the floor layout is different.

New seating fitted inside Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14, awaiting fitting of new carpet due on 7th March 2008

The only issue of course has been the extra cost of this work. We have to date spent some £77,000 on this project, of which £50,000 has been covered by donations, the sponsorship of the seats and the proceeds of the Trust's annual draw. The balance has had to be found from scarce Trust general funds and as we are still not complete, we are still very much in need of additional funds, which can be sent online at http://www.swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk/appeals/index.htm or conventionally to Swanage Railway Trust, Station House, Swanage, DORSET, BH19 1HB. (see below for more details)

Three of the four 'armless doubles' for the observation end have arrived and one of the sofas. The former are to be placed conventionally across the car and, depending on the carpet depth, may require a small amount of packing to ensure that they sit level and tight to the sides, the seat cushions fitting over the framing at this point. The latter will be placed at an angle, as they were originally.

The restoration team is seeking information on an interesting patch work in the floor boarding near the observation end Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14.

Examination of the floor revealed an interesting patch work near the observation end. Most of the floor is planked diagonally, but in this area there is quite a different layout, which may even be a relic of a previous (pre-1947) interior layout. If anyone can shed any light on this, I'd be very keen to hear from them

Also still to be completed inside are the light shades, which have proved difficult to find.

The interior paint finish has become something of a discussion subject in recent weeks. The sidewall panels revealed when the 'mock pub' interior was removed from the observation end were pale grey in colour, very different from the chocolate brown of Car 13. Black and white pictures, believed to be 14, also suggest that the window frames were a light colour, again very different from the wood finish of Car 13. This tends to support the view that the two cars were outshopped with different interiors - some also say one has seats finished in blue, the other in maroon.

The interior of Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14 with its new paintwork, and shown in the Ramparts yard in Derby awaiting completion.

As the pictures show, we have followed that course, but more definitive information would be welcome, if not for now then for the first refit! Items that we still need to procure include window blinds and a clock and a circular wooden-mounted Pullman coat of arms for the forward and rear ceiling bulkheads.

An interesting picture of the car has recently come to light, although of poor quality. It was the winner of a Cambridge University Railway Club competition and taken in 1948 shows the 'N' class banking engine through the end window. The CURC have kindly given their permission for us to use the picture, but have been unable to help find a better copy and they have no contacts for the photographer, a D.B.C.Verney. If anyone can help here, I'd be most grateful.

Cambridge University Railway Club competition photo by D.B.C.Verney taken in 1948 showing an 'N' class banking engine through the end window of Devon Belle Pullman Observation Car No 14.

The date for delivery to Swanage is still to be finalised depending on the speed of delivery of the remaining seats, but should not be long now! She promises to be a superb addition to our beautiful railway and I very much look forward to seeing her full of passengers.

Churchill Update

Work on the Churchill bogie luggage van has yet to start, pending submission of a heritage lottery funding application. We are in the process of soliciting restoration bids and hope to have our bid in by the end of April. However, as we don't expect the HLF to cover all costs, we are still raising funds in other ways and are very keen to receive donations, either on-line at http://www.swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk/appeals/index.htm or conventionally at Swanage Railway Trust, Station House, Swanage, DORSET, BH19 1HB.

Donations to the Pullman restoration project can be made to the Swanage Railway Trust (Devon Belle Fund), Station House, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1HB or on-line by debit or credit card via the Trust’s website at ‘www.swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk’ by following this link.

The Swanage Railway Trust website now has an Appeals section with the ability to make online donations to the Devon Belle Fund, the Churchill Project, the Heritage Coach Fund and to the General Fund.

Donations are processed via PayPal and the payment process includes an electronic Gift Aid form that conforms to HMR&C requirements. Donors do not need a PayPal account.

Please click here to visit the Swanage Railway Trust Appeals section at http://www.swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk/appeals/index.htm

In the event that the project is not successful, donations received with a return address will be refunded. Any balance will go to progress other projects.

Contact details:
Steve Doughty
Deputy Chairman
Swanage Railway Trust
Station House
Swanage
DORSET
BH19 1HB
Tel: 07860-108754
Email: stephen.doughty1@btopenworld.com