Pullman Car 54

Parlour Brake Third built in 1923.

Car 54 in the carriage works in 2003 for an assessment of its condition. (Richard Salmon)

On withdrawal it moved, first to the Dart Valley Railway, and then to the Birmingham Railway Museum in 1970. It subsequently found its way to Carnforth, where it was stripped in preparation for restoration to traffic for the Orient Express. It was laid aside however, and offered for sale. It was thought that such a high-capacity car, including the useful guard's accommodation, would be a worthwhile addition to the Bluebell's growing fleet of Pullmans, and it was purchased in 1984 by a member of the Horsted Keynes Pullman Car Group with this in mind, but continuing in storage at Carnforth for another couple of years.

It is still in the condition in which it arrived from Carnforth, essentially a kit of parts. It probably requires work of similar magnitude to that expended on the restoration of Fingall, including the inevitable replacement of the entire end-structure.

Whoever puts it together will also have the experience somewhat akin to making a jigsaw, where only 90% of the pieces are present, and where, to confuse matters, there are other pieces in the box which do not belong to this puzzle. For example, Car 54 came with a fine collection of Pullman Lavatory doors. It is not known which door belongs with the coach out of the many that were removed from the refurbished VSOE cars (which, one assumes, must have received replacement doors).