Brighton Belle Electric Pullman Car "Doris"
(built in 1932)

The west side of Pullman Car Doris, at Horsted Keynes on 17th April 2006
(Richard Salmon)

This Pullman Car, formerly located at Finsbury Park, has been purchased by the Bluebell for eventual use as part of the railway's Golden Arrow Pullman Dining Train. In the interim, since it is internally in very presentable condition, it is used occasionally as a static catering outlet for cream teas.

The work required to put it into service will probably include:

• reinstatement of gangway connectors (emu ones would not have been suitable in any case),
• replacement of air with vacuum braking,
• replacement of electric with steam heating,
• re-wiring as required for 24V lighting system, installation of dynamo, regulator and batteries, and through-lighting control,
• mechanical overhaul,
• work on kitchen as required (although it is initially only intended to use the kitchen as a scullery, since Fingall's kitchen does all the cooking for the Golden Arrow),
• remove many side-lights (windows) and repair corrosion around them, plus other corrosion on body as required.

The photo on the right (by Dave Clarke) shows the fine interior.