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Metropolitan Cammell mk 1 Pullman Cars

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The images and notes on this page are relevant for the period 1967 to 1978, with the information having been compiled by Paul James and Kier Hardy, extracted personal notes, and reference by the RCTS in part.

 

First Kitchen number 335 is seen at York C1974 in a Anglo-Scottish Motorail train.

There were 4 types of coach built by Metropolitan Cammell in 1961.

PFK First Kitchen - E311E to E323E
PFP First Parlour - E324E to E331E

PSK Second Kitchen - E332E to E346E
PSP Second Parlour - E347E to E354E

 

All types differed internally and externally and all were fitted with vacuum brakes and dual heating from new. Electric heating was only made operational in 1971 when air brakes were being fitted to some. The umber and cream livery started to give way to the reversed grey/blue livery in 1967. Some Kitchen Firsts were transferred to the Midland Region, to include M312E M322E M323E.

 

Most of the First class kitchen and parlour vehicles were refurbished during the late 1960s, not only with a new colour scheme, but also the original 1+1 seating was replaced by 2+1 seating to increase capacity. By 1971 most were dual braked and dual heated for continued use on the Eastern Region, marshalled onto the Kings Cross end of trains.

 

Many of the kitchen seconds spent years in store as no work could be found for them, although some were loaned to the Western Region as cover for the Blue Pullman, and for use in some excursions. All kitchen seconds (except E335E), were stored out of use at Wolverton by August 1972. All were in the umber & cream livery, except E334E which was the only kitchen second to receive the rev' grey/blue livery. Kitchen second E335E was regularly used in the York to Inverness Motorail set (photograph top of page), still in umber & cream until at least May 1974. All kitchen seconds were withdrawn from BR stock by the end of 1977.

 

The second class Pullman cars had a fairly short lifespan. Changes to the interior of the first class cars during late 1967 and early 1968 resulted in little difference between the two classes. With air-conditioned Mk 2d coaches in the pipeline, the decision was taken to withdraw the second class Pullman cars from some services. This was initially achieved by using a number of standard BR mark 1 coaches, with 3 or 4 Pullman vehicles marshalled at the Kings Cross end. Second class Pullmans ceased on the Hull Pullman from 7/10/68, and the Tyne Tees Pullman from 05/05/69. The Yorkshire Pullman retained its second class Pullman cars until May 1971. Only 2 Second Parlour vehicles made it into rev' grey/blue livery, these being E351E and E352E, whilst some were converted into ordinary First Open (FO) coaches between April 1970 and 1975, wearing the corporate blue/grey livery with yellow first class stripe and markings.

FORMATIONS

The consist of Pullman stock within certain trains changed over the years, but the following formations were recorded. In the case of suplemented stock, the Pullman cars were always marshalled at the Kings Cross end of the train.

Yorkshire Pullman 1L34 in 1970. The BG was marshalled into the middle of the train, to ease the split, for the Bradford & Harrogate portions.
PSP umber & cream
PSK umber & cream
PSK rev grey & blue E334E
PFP rev grey & blue
PFK rev grey & blue
BG blue & grey
PFK rev grey & blue
PFP rev grey & blue
PSP umber & cream
PSK umber & cream

Tyne Tees Pullman in 1970.
Mk1 SK blue & grey
Mk1 SK blue & grey
Mk1 SK blue & grey
Mk1 SK blue & grey
Mk1 SK blue & grey
Mk1 Griddle blue & grey
PFK rev grey & blue
PFK rev grey & blue
PFP rev grey & blue
PFK rev grey & blue
BG blue & grey

Hull Pullman in 1970.
Mk1 BSK blue & grey
Mk1 SK blue & grey
Mk1 SK blue & grey
Mk1 SK blue & grey
Mk1 Buffet blue & grey
Mk1 Restaurant blue & grey
PFK rev grey & blue
PFP rev grey & blue
PFK rev grey & blue

With the introduction of air conditioned Mk2 stock, the Mk1 vehicles gave way, and a typical mid-1970s formation was recorded as;
Mk2a BSO blue & grey
Mk2d TSO blue & grey
Mk2d TSO blue & grey
Mk2d TSO blue & grey
Mk1 buffet blue & grey
Mk1 restaurant blue & grey
PFK rev grey & blue
PFP rev grey & blue
PFK rev grey & blue

In greater detail, here are some points of interest regarding individual vehicles.

 

First Kitchen notes.


E311E Dual braked & dual heat fitted by 1975.
E312E On loan to BR (M) for use in the Ulster Express in June 1969. Noted ex-works condition at Derby works on 16/08/69 in rev' grey/blue livery, and cond at Connington on 14/04/72. Stored at Wolverton by August 1972. Moved to store at Northampton from mid 1973 until mid 1974. Noted at Rugby 05/09/74, still there 22/09/74. Still there mid 1975 with its windows boarded over. Noted in store at Kingmore on 15/10/75. Still there 10/07/76 and noted condemned there 20/10/76, Vacuum brake and steam heat. Withdrawn from stock by the end of 1977.
E313E Dual braked & dual heat fitted by May 1971. Noted in use on normal service trains out of Liverpool Street in July 1976 in the rev' grey/blue reversed livery. Used in the final Hull Pullman May 5th 1978.
E314E Dual Brake & dual heat fitted by May 1971.
E315E Dual brake & dual heat fitted by May 1971. Used in the final Yorkshire Pullman May 5th 1978.
E316E In rev' grey/blue livery by April 1968. Dual brake & dual heat fitted by end of 1975. Noted in use on normal service trains out of Liverpool St in July 1976. Noted cond at Clifton Sidings 20/08/76. Withdrawn from stock by the end of 1977.
E317E In rev' grey/blue livery 17/11/67. Dual brake & dual heat fitted at the end of 1975. Used in the final “Hull Pullman” May 5th 1978.
E318E Dual brake & dual heat fitted by May 1971. Used in the final Yorkshire Pullman on the May 5th 1978.
E319E Dual brake & dual heat fitted by May 1971. Used in the final Yorkshire Pullman May 5th 1978.
E320E Reported at Kings Cross in rev' grey/blue livery with number at both ends, 02/08/67. Dual brake & dual heat fitted by May 1971. Withdrawn from stock by the end of 1977.
E321E Dual brake & dual heat fitted by May 1971.
E322E Reported on loan to BR(M) and dual heated for use in the Liverpool Pullman at the end of 1968. Reported in the Liverpool based set still in rev' grey/blue livery retaining "E" prefix March 1969. Reported at St Pancras for several weeks at the end of 1971 as M322E, and being used as a catering / training vehicle. Noted in store at Kingmore on 15/10/75. Still there 10/07/76 and noted condemned 20/10/76. Withdrawn from stock by the end of 1977.
E323E In rev' grey/blue livery with number at RH end and Pullman in large letters LH end, September 1967. Reported on loan to BR (M) and dual heated for use in the Liverpool Pullman at the end of 1968. Noted “ex works” and numbered M323E at Derby works on 16/08/69. Livery not reported but would probably in the livery to match the mark 2 (1966 built) BR(M) Pullman cars. Noted at Wolverton 18/10/70, with M354) and M310E (formerly Pegasus). Withdrawn from stock by the end of 1977.

 

First Parlour notes.


E324E Dual brake & dual heat fitted by May 1971. Withdrawn by the end of 1977.
E325E Dual brake & dual heat fitted by May 1971.
E326E Dual brake & dual heat fitted by May 1971. Used in the final Yorkshire Pullman May 5th 1978.
E327E Dual brake & dual heat fitted by May 1971.
E328E On loan to BR (M) and dual heated for use in the 'Liverpool Pullman' at the end of 1968. Reported in the London based set still in rev' grey/blue livery retaining E prefix March 1969. Dual brake & dual heat fitted by May 1971 and back in BR(E) use.
E329E Dual brake & dual heat fitted by May 1975.
E330E Reported in the rev' grey/blue livery 17/11/67. Dual brake & dual heat fitted by May 1975.
E331E Dual brake & dual heat fitted by May 1971. Reported on loan to BR (W) as a Buffet car for some excursion traffic Sept 1971. Withdrawn by the end of 1977.

 

Second Kitchen notes.


E332E On loan to BR(W) as a Buffet car for some excursion traffic Sept 1971. Cond at York January 1972. Still there 07/07/72. Stored at Wolverton by August 1972. Moved to store at Northampton from mid 1973 until mid 1974 when moved to Glasgow Cowlairs 24/08/74. Noted condemned at Cowlairs 17/05/75 and then at Glasgow works on 14/10/75 sitting on B1 bogies. Noted condemned at St Rollox 20/10/76. Withdrawn from stock by 1976 and offered for sale during July 1977.
E333E Cannibalised for other FO conversions York September 1971. Cond at York January 1972. Still there 07/07/72. Stored at Wolverton by August 1972. Moved to store at Northampton from mid 1973 untill mid 1974 when moved to Glasgow, noted at Cowlairs 24/08/74. Noted condemned at Glasgow works 17/05/75 and then again on 14/10/75, sitting on B1 bogies. Noted condemned at St Rollox works 20/10/76. Withdrawn from stock by 1976 and offered for sale during July 1977.
E334E Reported in the rev' grey/blue livery August 1970. Still being used in the Yorkshire Pullman October 1970. Converted to FO at York September 1971. Stored at Wolverton by August 1972. Moved to store at Northampton from mid 1973 until mid 1974. Noted at Rugby 05/09/74, and still there mid 1975 with its windows boarded over. Noted in store at Kingmore on 15/10/75 and noted condemned there 20/10/76.
E335E Reported on loan to BR (W) as a buffet car for some excursion traffic Sept 1971. Noted being used in the York to Inverness Motorail set, still in umber & cream during June 1972 and again in May 1974. Noted condemned at Glasgow Cowlairs 05/06/76 (possible typo error for 05/01/77), then carded to McWilliams, Shettleston.
E336E Reported on loan to BR (W) as a buffet car for some excursion traffic Sept 1971. Stored at Wolverton by August 1972. Moved to store at Northampton from mid 1973 until mid 1974. Noted at Rugby 05/09/74, and still there mid 1975 with its windows boarded over. Noted in store at Kingmore on 15/10/75 and noted condemned there 20/10/76. Seen at Ely 22/01/79 in umber & cream.
E337E Reported on loan to BR (W) as a buffet car for some excursion traffic Sept 1971. Noted cond at Connington 14/04/72. Stored at Wolverton by August 1972. Moved to store at Northampton from mid 1973 until mid 1974. Noted at Rugby 05/09/74. Noted condemned at Mitcheldever 27/11/76. Offered for sale during July 1977.
E338E Reported on loan to BR (W) as a buffet car for some excursion traffic Sept 1971. Stored at Wolverton by August 1972. Moved to store at Northampton from mid 1973 until mid 1974. Noted at Rugby 05/09/74, and still there mid 1975 with its windows boarded over. Noted in store at Kingmore on 15/10/75 and noted cond there 20/10/76. Seen at Ely 22/01/79 in umber & cream.
E339E Reported on loan to BR (W) as a buffet car for some excursion traffic Sept 1971. Stored at Wolverton by August 1972. Moved to store at Northampton from mid 1973 until mid 1974. Noted at Rugby 05/09/74. Noted in store at Kingmore on 15/10/75 and noted condemned there 20/10/76. Seen at Ely 22/01/79 in umber & cream.
E340E Reported painted in umber & cream in Dec 1967. Reported on loan to BR (W) as a buffet car for some excursion traffic Sept 1971. Stored at Wolverton by August 1972 still umber & cream. Moved to store at Northampton from mid 1973 untill mid 1974. Noted at Rugby 05/09/74, and there mid 1975 with its windows boarded over. Noted in store at Kingmore on 15/10/75 and noted cond there 20/10/76. Seen at Ely 22/01/79 in umber & cream.
E341E Reported on loan to BR (W) as a buffet car for some excursion traffic Sept 1971. Stored at Wolverton by August 1972 still umber & cream. Moved to store at Northampton from mid 1973 until mid 1974. Noted at Rugby 05/09/74, and still there mid 1975 with its windows boarded over. Noted in store at Kingmore on 15/10/75 and noted condemned there 20/10/76. Seen at Ely 22/01/79 in umber & cream.
E342E Reported on loan to BR (W) as a buffet car for some excursion traffic Sept 1971. Stored at Wolverton by August 1972 still umber & cream. Moved to store at Northampton from mid 1973 untill mid 1974. Noted at Rugby 05/09/74, and still there mid 1975 with its windows boarded over. Noted in store at Kingmore on 15/10/75 and noted cond there 20/10/76. Seen at Ely 22/01/79 in umber & cream.
E343E Reported still in umber & cream March 1971. On loan to BR (W) as a buffet car for some excursion traffic Sept 1971. Stored at Wolverton by August 1972 still umber & cream. Moved to store at Northampton from mid 1973 untill mid 1974. Noted in store at Kingmore on 15/10/75 and noted cond there 20/10/76. Seen at Ely 22/01/79 in umber & cream.
E344E Reported on loan to BR (W) as a buffet car for some excursion traffic Sept 1971. Stored at Wolverton by August 1972. Noted at Willesden carriage sidings February 1974 in umber & cream. Noted in store at Kingmore on 15/10/75 and noted cond there 20/10/76. Seen at Ely 22/01/79 in umber & cream.
E345E Stored at Wolverton by August 1972 still in umber & cream. Moved to store at Northampton from mid 1973 until mid 1974. Noted at Rugby 22/09/74 and still there mid 1975 with its windows boarded over. Noted in store at Kingmore on 15/10/75 and noted cond there 20/10/76. Seen at Ely 22/01/79 in umber & cream.
E346E Reported at Wolverton by August 1972 still umber & cream. Moved to store at Northampton from mid 1973 until mid 1974 when moved to Glasgow Cowlairs 24/08/74, and cond by 14/10/75. Noted condemned at St Rollox 20/10/76. Withdrawn from stock by 1976 and offered for sale during July 1977.

 

Second Parlour notes.

 


E347E Converted to ordinary FO at York September 1971.
E348E Noted as ordinary FO 26/09/71.
E349E Noted as ordinary FO in 26/09/70.
E350E Noted on the rear of the 10.05 Bradford to Paignton train on 29/04/69 and the ‘Devonian’ at Newton Abbott the next day. Converted to ordinary FO at York September 1971.
E351E Noted in grey / blue reversed livery in the Yorkshire Pullman 13/12/69, and still being used in the Yorkshire Pullman in early October 1970.
E352E Noted in rev' grey/blue livery in the Yorkshire Pullman 1970. Noted running as ordinary FO March 1971.
E353E Released from York works April 1970 as ordinary FO in the corporate blue grey livery.

 

E354E Differed slightly to the rest of the parlour seconds, and was designated as a Bar Car. From new it was called The Hadrian Bar, and after transfer to BR(M) it became the Nightcap Bar, wearing the standard blue/grey livery for use in overnight Euston to Glasgow sleeper trains. Unlike the other Second Parlour cars outward appearance. Noted on loan to BR(M) for use in the Night Limited train in June 1969. Noted at Derby works on 16/08/69 in umber & cream awaiting attention. Repainted into corporate blue / grey livery with red cant rail band, lettered Nightcap Bar and numbered M354E October 1969 (paint date 10-10-69). Noted Wolverton transferred to LMR 18/10/70.

 


 

 

Finally - M310E Was not a Met-Camm mark 1, but was built as a Pullman bar car in 1951 by the Birmingham Railway & Carriage Works. Noted at Wolverton transferred to BR(M) 18/10/70 as M310E for use in the Night Limited service. Withdrawn from service May 1976. Noted condemned at Wolverton 20/06/76.

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