CTS55. Pullman ‘K’ Type Third Class Brake/Parlour Car 'Car No. 54' with Matchboard Sides. As running post-war with grey roof. This was produced in Korea by F.C. Models for Golden Age Models. These highly detailed brass models were factory built in brass, are highly unlikely to be bettered, and have been unavailable for some time. Fitted with working interior lighting, highly detailed interior and underframe, opening doors and glass windows. It also has roller bearing axles fitted for smooth running, and seated passengers have been added. The model is supplied in its original box having been lightly used on a working layout. Note that the brake cars are harder to find so I can only sell this one with at least one non-brake car. All the eight Pullmans being listed today are representative of 'Queen of Scots' cars if anyone wishes to purchase a rake. The prototype along with Car No. 55 was completed in May 1923 by Clayton Wagons Ltd. of Lincoln as the first of the many 'K' type Pullmans subsequently produced. They were ordered in 1922 and were originally intended for the Great Eastern Railway and were configured as third class Buffet cars. Into service with the LNER they were first used in 1923 on the 'Harrogate Pullman'. Car No. 54 remained on East Coast services including the 'Queen of Scots' until the early 1930's moving then to the Great Eastern line for use on the 'Eastern Belle' until the outbreak of World War II. Both Car No. 54 and No. 55 then were repainted brown and ran on the LNER as 'open thirds' for 4 years, then moving to the Johnson Mathey company for 2 years and used as canteens at their Wembley factory. From there they moved to the Southern Railway and converted to Third Class Brake cars for the 'Devon Belle' service. In 1955 they moved to the Western Region for the 'South Wales Pullman' service until the 'Blue Train' Pullman came along on 1961. They were then held in reserve in case of failure of the 'Blue Train'. Car No. 54 last ran as part of a 'Bristol Pullman' service in March 1966, and after withdrawal was subsequently rescued for preservation. It has been fully restored at the Bluebell Railway enetering service in 2024 - 40 years after it was acquired by the Bluebell. RESERVED.
