DMU Operations: Western Region
The South Wales Pullman
This was the third Diesel Pullman service, introduced in summer 1961 and joining The Bristol Pullman and The Birmingham Pullman. As with the others, this was a Monday - Friday only service.
The final service ran on Friday 4 May 1973, the same day The Bristol Pullman ended.
Sample Timetables
From 11 September 1961
5 1/4" x 8"
From October 1962
5 1/4" x 8"
Images
22nd September 1961
A South Wales Pullman service is seen east of Didcot on the 22nd September, 1962. Michael Mensing.
Unknown date
A diesel Pullman set in Swansea station circa mid to late 1960's. The KDH Archive.
June 1967
Not the best photo I ever took, but one of the few shots I have of one of the WR diesel Pullman sets. The down "South Wales Pullman" passes Pengam freightliner terminal in June 1967. Lewis Bevan.
June 1967
Metropolitan Cammell Class 251 8-car "Blue Pullman" dmu Nos.W60099, W60649, W60739, W60749, W60748, W60738, W60648, W60098 on the Paddington-Swansea (High St) "South Wales Pullman" with Type 1 1,000hp power car leading, in the Nanking Blue & White Pullman livery with an all-yellow warning front end that unfortunately covered the Pullman emblem, at Neath (General), 06/67. Hugh Llewelyn.
August 1967
Metropolitan Cammell Class 251 8-car "Blue Pullman" dmu on the "South Wales Pullman" service in the revised reversed BR Rail Blue & light grey Pullman livery with all-yellow front end arriving at Swansea (High St), 08/67. Closest is thought to be W60096, the rear set with power car W60097, the only two half sets in this livery at the time. Hugh Llewelyn.
2nd August 1967
A Western Pullman Parlour First car, taken at Cardiff on 2 August 1967. Tony Lambert.
2nd August 1967
A Western Pullman Kitchen car, taken at Cardiff on 2 August 1967. Tony Lambert.
20th November 1968
A Western Pullman set arriving ECS at Cardiff Central to form the 1420 to London Paddington "South Wales Pullman" on 20 November 1968. Keith Long.
22nd July 1969
A Western Region Diesel Pullman unit at Cardiff Central on 22 July 1969. George Woods.
1972
A diesel Pullman set in Newport High Street station in 1972. The dent next to the centre lamp identifies the power car as W60096. Stuart Mackay Collection.
August 1972
Metropolitan Cammell Class 251 8-car "Blue Pullman" dmu on the "South Wales Pullman" service in the reversed BR Rail Blue & light grey Pullman livery with all-yellow front end leaving Paddington bound for Swansea (High St), 08/72. Hugh Llewelyn.
16th August 1972
South Wales Pullman at Paddington August 16, 1972. The nearest power car is W60099, the set had arrived on the 06.40 from Swansea. Tom Burnham.
1973
One of the former Midland Region Blue Pullman units in Swansea High Street station sometime in 1973. The three shipped paint spots on the cab identify the closest vehicle as W60090. Stuart Mackay Collection.
March 1973
South Wales Pullman Cardiff General May 1973 by John Wiltshire. A rather tatty Pullman in the last weeks of service before scrapping. Peter Brabham Collecton.
21st March 1973
Its busy at Westbourne Park on the 21st of March 1973, The South Wales Pullman (I guess) and a Green Class 47 are on the way out of Paddington, whilst Hymek D7018 and D1932 (47493/47701) are inbound on I think empty stock. The KDH Archive.
26th April 1973
The South Wales Pullman Cardiff on 26th April 1973 passing Cardiff Canton Depot. From the front, 60098, 60648, 60738, 60748, 60749, 60739, 60649 & 60092. Note the chimneys of the East Moors Steeelworks on the skyline behind the train (closed in 1978 and now long gone) and the girders of the old Arms Park on the far left (also gone replaced by Millenium Stadium in 1998). Image by John Wiltshire. Peter Brabham Collection.
2nd May 1973
Diesel Pullman power car W60094 at Neath with the 15:55 Swansea-Paddington "South Wales Pullman" service on 2 May 1973. Robert Thomas.
2nd May 1973
A diesel Pullman set in Neath station on 2 May 1973 with the 15:55 Swansea-Paddington service. Closest is W60094, the rear power car is W60090. Robert Thomas.
2nd May 1973
A diesel Pullman set departs from Neath as the 15:55 Swansea-Paddington on 2 May 1973. The power car at this end is W60090, W60094 at the far end. Robert Thomas.