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Blue Pullmans

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94-539: The Blue Pullmans were luxury trains used from 1960 to 1973 by British Rail . They were the first Pullman diesel multiple units , incorporating several novel features. Named after their original Nanking blue livery, the trains were conceived under the 1955 Modernisation Plan to create luxury diesel express trains aimed at competing with the motor car and the emerging domestic air travel market. Although not entirely successful – they were seen as underpowered, and ultimately not economically viable – they demonstrated

188-428: A Class 52 Western diesel-hydraulic locomotive, a stand-in for the regular Blue Pullman set. In the 1963 British Transport Film Snow there are very short passing shots of a set (5 min 9 sec and 6 min 23 sec), and two views of a LMR set with 6 intermediate cars, in panorama (5 min 10 sec to 5 min 26 sec) and from the cab of an approaching train (5 min 28 sec to 5 min 38 sec). A Blue Pullman made brief appearances in

282-844: A 6,000-mile (9,656 km) trip (the world's longest train journey) across two continents and eight time zones . It follows the Trans-Siberian Railway , which connects Moscow and European Russia with the Russian Far East , Mongolia, China, and the Sea of Japan . Rocky Mountaineer is a Canadian company that operates trains touring the Canadian Rockies and the northwestern U.S. Via Rail sold off its Rockies by Daylight scenic train to Rocky Mountaineer Vacations (which became Rocky Mountaineer) in 1990. The company operates four routes. The Royal Canadian Pacific

376-414: A consultant for Randox. The 2020 race was not run owing to the coronavirus pandemic ; in its place, a virtual race was produced using CGI technology and based on algorithms of the 40 horses most likely to have competed. The virtual race was won by Potters Corner, winner of the 2019 Welsh Grand National . (Another computer-generated virtual race was made also, whose runners were many horses who had won

470-666: A crew room, shower rooms, and toilets. It offers two- and four-day round trips, departing from Hakata Station . The two-day tour visits Nagasaki , Aso , and Yufuin , and the four-day journey visits Yufuin, Miyazaki , Miyakonojō , Hayato , Kagoshima-Chuo , Kagoshima , Aso, and Bungo-Mori . Luxury trains in India include the Palace on Wheels , Deccan Odyssey , Golden Chariot , Maharajas' Express , and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels . The Blue Train , covering about 1,600 kilometres (990 mi) between Pretoria and Cape Town ,

564-674: A day. The two morning services were booked to arrive at the same time at Paddington, giving the possibility of a side-by-side arrival. From 1961, an additional morning train, the South Wales Pullman , operated from Paddington to Cardiff and Swansea . With the imminent withdrawal of the Midland Pullman , in 1965 one operated a trial from London King's Cross to Leeds via the East Coast Main Line. However they were not introduced on this route and after

658-481: A distance of 4 miles 514 yards (6.907 km), the longest of any National Hunt race in Britain. As part of a review of safety following the 2012 running of the event, from 2013 to 2015 the start was moved 90 yards (82 m) forward away from the crowds and grandstands, reducing the race distance by 110 yards (100 m) from the historical 4 miles 856 yards (7.220 km). The course has one of

752-476: A flexible plastic material which is more forgiving than the traditional wooden core fences. They are still topped with at least 14 inches (36 cm) of spruce for the horses to knock off. Some of the jumps carry names from the history of the race. All 16 are jumped on the first lap, but on the final lap, the runners bear to the right onto the run-in for home, avoiding The Chair and the Water Jump. The following

846-515: A length of winning the 1963 National . The last Seagram-sponsored Grand National was in 1991. Coincidentally, the race was won by a horse named Seagram. Martell , then a Seagram subsidiary, took over sponsorship of the Aintree meeting for an initial seven years from 1992, in a £4 million deal. The result of the 1993 Grand National was declared void after a series of incidents commentator Peter O'Sullevan later called "the greatest disaster in

940-409: A more highly publicised race in 1839 which attracted a larger field of top quality horses and riders, greater press coverage, and increased attendance on race day. Over time the first three runnings of the event were quickly forgotten to secure the 1839 race its place in history as the first official Grand National. The 1839 race was won by rider Jem Mason on the aptly named, Lottery . The Duke

1034-505: A poor start, the pair went on to win 4 + 1 ⁄ 2 lengths ahead of the much-fancied Spartan Missile, ridden by amateur jockey and 54-year-old grandfather John Thorne. Champion and Aldaniti were instantly propelled to celebrity status, and within two years, their story had been re-created in the film Champions , starring John Hurt . From 1984 to 1991, Seagram sponsored the Grand National. The Canadian distiller provided

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1128-504: A ready-to-run model in association with Heljan models of Denmark. On Bachmann's announcement that it would be producing a model, the project was cancelled. In July 2010, Bachmann announced two Nanking blue versions of the Midland Pullman, with and without full yellow wrap-around ends. The models were released in late 2012 correctly reproducing car types 1, 4 and 6. In December 2012, a British Railway Modelling review described

1222-485: A right pile-up... And now, with all this mayhem, Foinavon has gone off on his own! He's about 50, 100 yards in front of everything else! Commentator Michael O'Hehir describes the chaotic scene at the 23rd fence in 1967 In the 1967 Grand National , most of the field were hampered or dismounted in a mêlée at the 23rd fence, allowing a rank-outsider, Foinavon , to become a surprise winner at odds of 100/1. A loose horse named Popham Down, who had unseated his rider at

1316-461: A solid foundation on which the race's revival could be built, firstly enabling the course to be bought from Davies and to be run and managed by the Jockey Club . It is said that Ivan Straker, Seagram's UK chairman, became interested in the potential opportunity after reading a passionate newspaper article written by journalist Lord Oaksey, who, in his riding days, had come within three-quarters of

1410-410: A two-stage system, allowing highly controlled stopping. They were air-conditioned with automatic humidity control. Motor cars had a large primary diesel engine and generator for motive power, and a secondary Rolls-Royce C8NFLH diesel engine and auxiliary 150 kVA 3-phase 400 V generator beneath the floor provided power for the air-conditioning, fridges and ancillary equipment. A single auxiliary per set

1504-693: A working service. With declining reliability, the last sets were withdrawn en masse in May 1973. A farewell commemorative special journey out and back from Paddington was run by the Western Region, travelling for 12 hours via High Wycombe , Banbury , Leamington Spa , Kenilworth , Coventry , Birmingham New Street , Cheltenham , Bristol Temple Meads , the Severn Tunnel , Swansea , Cardiff , Bristol Parkway , Didcot and Slough . Ten cars (six Midland and four Western) had been reportedly saved from

1598-570: Is South Africa's oldest and best-known luxury train service. Transnet Freight Rail runs the Blue Train , also between Pretoria and Cape Town. Rovos Rail operates the Pride of Africa service, which runs between South Africa, Zimbabwe , Zambia , and Tanzania . The Ghan , a luxury train, runs 2,979 kilometres (1,851 miles) through the heart of the Australian continent, from Darwin in

1692-602: Is a luxury overnight passenger train based in Calgary , Canada. The train has a royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth . It makes charter runs along CP tracks in summer and fall, taking passengers into the Rocky Mountains of Alberta and British Columbia . A typical six-day, five-night round trip runs through the Columbia River valley and Crowsnest Pass . The train halts at night to enable passengers to enjoy

1786-407: Is a summary of all 16 fences on the course: Height: 4 feet 6 inches (1.37 m) Often met at great speed, which can lead to several falls, the highest being 12 runners in 1951. The drop on the landing side was reduced after the 2011 Grand National . It was bypassed in both 2019 and 2023 on the final lap, after equine casualties. The fence was moved 60 yards nearer to the start from

1880-563: Is credited with beginning the age of luxury trains and grand hotels. The Orient Express , setting of Agatha Christie 's Murder on the Orient Express , was Europe's first luxury train. It began its maiden journey on 5 June 1883 from Paris' Gare de l'Est . Although the original Orient Express ceased operation in 2009, private operators and public–private joint ventures provide luxury train travel in several countries. According to Belmond (formerly known as Orient Express Hotels),

1974-785: Is operated by Renfe Viajeros and runs from March to October on scheduled and charter trips. The main routes cross northern Spain and Andalusia , with special tours throughout the peninsula. The oldest tourist train in Spain (operating since 1983), the Transcantábrico , uses original 1923 Pullman coaches . Between 1950 and 1969, Swedish State Railways operated the luxury train service Sunlit Nights Land Cruises , which ran from Stockholm to northern Sweden and primarily targeted foreign tourists. The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express began operation in April 2007 and takes passengers on

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2068-549: Is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of £1 million in 2017. An event that is prominent in British culture , the race is popular amongst many people who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year. The course over which the race is run features much larger fences than those found on conventional National Hunt tracks. Many of these fences, particularly Becher's Brook , The Chair and

2162-696: The Midland Pullman between London St Pancras and Manchester Central via the Midland Main Line , a journey it accomplished in a record 3 hours 15 minutes with a maximum speed of 90 miles per hour (140 km/h). The Midland Pullman was withdrawn in 1966 following electrification of the Euston to Manchester line, which brought greatly reduced journey times with which the Midland route could not compete. The LMR sets were then transferred to

2256-432: The 1956 Grand National witnessed one of the chase's most bizarre incidents. Devon Loch , owned by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother , had cleared the final fence in the leading position, five lengths clear of E.S.B. Forty yards from what seemed like certain victory, Devon Loch suddenly, and inexplicably, half-jumped into the air and collapsed in a belly-flop on the turf. Despite efforts by jockey Dick Francis , Devon Loch

2350-650: The Brighton Belle 's British Pullman coaches. Buffet cars are British Rail Mark 1 coaches. Although the train primarily operates in Northern England and Scotland, it also serves London and Bristol . The train has two British Rail Mark 3 sleeper coaches for its crew. It departs from a number of northern cities, including Liverpool , Edinburgh , Glasgow , and Manchester . The Northern Belle has six dining cars, named after historic British houses. Spain's state-owned network of luxury trains

2444-683: The Canal Turn , have become famous in their own right and, combined with the distance of the event, create what has been called "the ultimate test of horse and rider". The Grand National has been broadcast live on free-to-air terrestrial television in the United Kingdom since 1960 . From then until 2012 it was broadcast by the BBC . Channel 4 broadcast the event between 2013 and 2016 : UK broadcasting rights were transferred to ITV from 2017 . An estimated 500 to 600 million people watch

2538-516: The John Smith's People's Race which gave ten members of the public the chance to ride in a flat race at Aintree on Grand National day. In total, thirty members of the public took part in the event before it was discontinued in 2010. In 2009 , Mon Mome became the longest-priced winner of the National for 42 years when he defied outside odds of 100/1 to win by 12 lengths. The victory was also

2632-523: The Midland Pullman ceased, the sets were transferred to the WR to be used on a new non-stop service for Oxford , and on additional out-and-back services on the Bristol and Swansea routes. The Birmingham services were eventually withdrawn, with the last services being to South Wales. Towards the end of their operational life, the sets operated as three makeshift sets formed from various original cars to maintain

2726-558: The Provisional Irish Republican Army . The course was secured by police who then evacuated jockeys, race personnel, and local residents along with 60,000 spectators. Cars and coaches were locked in the course grounds, leaving some 20,000 people without their vehicles over the weekend. With limited accommodation available in the city, local residents opened their doors and took in many of those stranded. This prompted tabloid headlines such as " We'll fight them on

2820-477: The 1950s the Grand National was dominated by Vincent O'Brien , who trained different winners of the race for three consecutive years between 1953 and 1955. Early Mist secured O'Brien's first victory in 1953 ; Royal Tan won in 1954 , and Quare Times completed the Irish trainer's hat-trick in 1955 . Oh, that's racing! The Queen Mother on Devon Loch 's collapse moments from certain victory The running of

2914-480: The 1965 Norman Wisdom film The Early Bird , destroying Pitkin's milk cart at a level crossing. Kitmaster produced an unpowered polystyrene injection-moulded model kit of car types 1, 4 and 6 at 00 scale. In late 1962, the Kitmaster brand was sold by Rosebud Dolls to Airfix and it is thought the tools were destroyed in a fire, so no further kits were produced. However, examples can still be bought on eBay and

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3008-527: The BTC, which operated the railways through its British Railways subsidiary, purchased the full equity of the Pullman Car Company, a private operator of luxury carriages on the otherwise nationalised passenger network. Under the 1955 Modernisation Plan there was a push toward diesel power to replace steam locomotives, and Pullman coaching stock was ageing. The BTC and PCC formed a committee to examine

3102-656: The Bachmann model as having "exquisite detail". In June 2016, Bachmann released a collectors' edition of the Midland Pullman, which included a book about the Midland Pullman, written by Kevin Robertson, a reproduction menu card, a print of the artwork featured on the box, as well as a set of stewards and train crew figures. In early 2013, Graham Farish introduced a British N gauge model in Nanking blue. In January 2018, Graham Farish announced planned production of versions of

3196-559: The Becher's ", in reference to Winston Churchill's war-time speech . The race was run 48 hours later on the Monday, with the meeting organisers offering 20,000 tickets with free admission. Red Rum's trainer Ginger McCain returned to the Grand National in 2004 , 31 years after Red Rum's epic run-in defeat of Crisp to secure his first of three wins. McCain's Amberleigh House came home first, ridden by Graham Lee , overtaking Clan Royal on

3290-466: The Grand National in over 140 countries. The race has also been broadcast on radio since 1927 ; BBC Radio held exclusive rights until 2013. Talksport acquired radio commentary rights in 2014: Both the BBC and Talksport currently broadcast the race in full. The Grand National had suffered three major disruptions in post-war history. The 1993 Grand National was not held due to a series of false starts,

3384-431: The Grand National in past years, each shown with its performance as at its racing prime. Its winner was Red Rum by less than a length, having just passed Manifesto .) In December 2020 Randox Health announced they had extended their sponsorship for a further 5 years which will make them sponsors to 2026. In 2021, Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the race, on the horse Minella Times . In 2023,

3478-502: The Grand National. They're willing him home now! The 12-year-old Red Rum, being preceded only by loose horses, being chased by Churchtown Boy... They're coming to the elbow, just a furlong now between Red Rum and his third Grand National triumph! It's hats off and a tremendous reception, you've never heard one like it at Liverpool... and Red Rum wins the National! Commentator Peter O'Sullevan describes Red Rum's record third Grand National win in 1977 During this period, Red Rum

3572-433: The Grand National. In 1973, eight years after Mrs. Mirabel Topham announced she was seeking a buyer, the racecourse was finally sold to property developer Bill Davies. Davies tripled the admission prices, and consequently, the attendance at the 1975 race , won by L'Escargot , was the smallest in living memory. It was after this that bookmaker Ladbrokes made an offer, signing an agreement with Davies allowing them to manage

3666-530: The Kitmaster Collectors Club buys and resells built and unbuilt kits. From 1964 to 1967, Tri-ang (later Tri-ang Hornby) produced ready-to-run models of the type 2 power cars and the type 6 (first class) parlour car. No models of car types 3 or 5 were ever produced, though brass etchings to convert the window mouldings of Triang types are available, but very rare. In May 2010, Olivia's trains of Sheffield announced its intention to produce

3760-573: The LMR, and three eight-car units for the WR in 1957. The selection of Pullman caused some initial delays due to trade union staffing problems, variances in pay and conditions of the Pullman staff compared to BR train staff. After some production delays, the first set appeared for trials in October 1959. These trials revealed that rough ride quality was a problem, and modifications were made. These mitigated

3854-470: The National which had been set in 1935 by Reynoldstown. His record was to stand for the next seventeen years. Two years before the 1981 Grand National , jockey Bob Champion had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and given only months to live by doctors. But by 1981 he had recovered and was passed fit to ride in the Grand National. He rode Aldaniti , a horse deprived in its youth and which had only recently recovered from chronic leg problems. Despite

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3948-823: The Peruvian cities of Arequipa to Cusco in vice versa and the Belmond Hiram Bingham , named after the explorer who rediscovered the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu , runs from the Sacred Valley to the landmark. British Pullman cars were formerly used on the Brighton Belle out of London Victoria station . Northern Belle is a privately owned luxury train introduced in 2000. It consists primarily of British Rail Mark 2 coach stock, refurbished internally and painted externally to resemble

4042-777: The Pioneer, was introduced in 1865 in the United States and was followed two years later by "hotel cars". It was the first railway carriage with dining and sleeping areas. Georges Nagelmackers founded the French Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits , creator of the Orient Express . Inspired by Pullman trains in the US, Nagelmackers returned to Europe and built a fleet of over 30 luxury trains that traveled to several European destinations. He

4136-460: The WR, where some of the first-class seating was downgraded to form two-class sets. The sets were an advanced and luxurious design, befitting a Pullman train, although they did suffer some criticism particularly over a persistent ride quality problem. Over time it became costly to maintain such a small fleet of trains. By 1972, with the development of first-class accommodation in Mark 2 coaching stock ,

4230-585: The Western Pullman in grey and blue livery, which was available by the following year. Luxury train A luxury train is a premium passenger rail service. Some luxury trains promote tourism in destinations across a region, while others (such as the Maharajas' Express ) take passengers on a ride through a single country. Luxury trains include restaurants, bars, bathrooms, and sleeping and seating areas. George Pullman 's first sleeping car,

4324-406: The company operates the highest number of luxury train tours in the world. With service in Europe, Asia, and South America, Belmond is the only private luxury tour provider (with the exception of Russia's Golden Eagle Trans Siberian Express ) to offer continental or intercontinental service. The Venice-Simplon Orient Express , with service from London to Venice, was voted the top luxury train in

4418-490: The course earlier), while Peter Scudamore only stopped because he saw his trainer, Martin Pipe , waving frantically at him. Seven horses completed the course, meaning the result was void. The first past the post was Esha Ness (in the second-fastest time ever), ridden by John White, trained by Jenny Pitman and owned by Patrick Bancroft. The 1997 Grand National was postponed after two coded bomb threats were received from

4512-639: The diesel sets, and the Midland Pullman sets were transferred to the WR in March 1967. The introduction of new non-air conditioned Mark 1 Pullman cars on the East Coast Main Line in 1961 had been questioned as it was believed the ER had not waited for the completion of evaluation of the Blue Pullmans. The later introduction of 2nd-class air-conditioned Mark 2 coaches on these services hastened

4606-410: The final straight. Hedgehunter , who would go on to win in 2005 , fell at the last while leading. McCain had equalled George Dockeray and Fred Rimell 's record feat of training four Grand National winners. In 2005 John Smith's took over from Martell as main sponsors of the Grand National and many of the other races at the three-day Aintree meeting for the first time. In 2006 John Smith's launched

4700-488: The first for trainer Venetia Williams , the first female trainer to triumph since Jenny Pitman in 1995 . The race was also the first National ride for Liam Treadwell . In 2010 the National became the first horse race to be televised in high-definition in the UK. In August 2013 Crabbie's was announced as the new sponsor of the Grand National. The three-year deal between the alcoholic ginger beer producer and Aintree saw

4794-671: The first four years, and took over the land lease in 1848. One century later, the Topham family bought the course outright. Later in the century, the race was the setting of a thriller by the popular novelist Henry Hawley Smart . For three years during the First World War , while Aintree Racecourse was taken over by the War Office , an alternative race was run at Gatwick Racecourse , a now disused course on land now occupied by Gatwick Airport . The first of these races, in 1916,

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4888-501: The first jump, suddenly veered across the leading group at the 23rd, causing them to either stop, refuse or unseat their riders. Racing journalist Lord Oaksey described the resulting pile-up by saying that Popham Down had "cut down the leaders like a row of thistles". Some horses even started running in the wrong direction, back the way they had come. Foinavon, whose owner had such little faith in him that he had travelled to Worcester that day instead, had been lagging some 100 yards behind

4982-602: The full length of the parlour cars was augmented by seated sections in the kitchen cars, and motor cars also had a passenger compartment. Kitchen cars and Midland Pullman power cars had one toilet, parlour cars two. In January 2006 charter operator FM Rail revived the Blue Pullman brand, repainting two Class 47s and a set of Mark 2 carriages into the original Nanking blue livery. After FM Rail ceased trading, they were operated by Cotswold Rail from February 2007. In 2020, an HST set operated by Locomotive Services Ltd

5076-465: The history of the Grand National." While under starter's orders, one jockey was tangled in the starting tape which had failed to rise correctly. A false start was declared, but due to a lack of communication between course officials, 30 of the 39 jockeys did not realise this and began the race. Course officials tried to stop the runners by waving red flags, but many jockeys continued to race, believing that they were protesters (a group of whom had invaded

5170-466: The idea that the first running was in 1836 and was won by The Duke . This same horse won again in 1837 , while Sir William was the winner in 1838 . These races have long been disregarded because of the belief that they took place at Maghull and not Aintree. However, some historians have unearthed evidence in recent years that suggests those three races were run over the same course at Aintree and were regarded as having been Grand Nationals up until

5264-431: The lead until he too then fell. Although Billy Barton's jockey Tommy Cullinan managed to remount and complete the race, it was Tipperary Tim who came in first at outside odds of 100/1. With only two riders completing the course, this remains a record for the lowest number of finishers. Although the Grand National was run as normal in 1940 and most other major horse races around the world were able to be held throughout

5358-448: The leading pack, giving his jockey, John Buckingham , time to steer his mount wide of the havoc and make a clean jump of the fence on the outside. Although 17 jockeys remounted and some made up considerable ground, particularly Josh Gifford on 15/2 favourite Honey End, none had time to catch Foinavon before he crossed the finishing line. The 7th/23rd fence was officially named the 'Foinavon fence' in 1984. The 1970s were mixed years for

5452-456: The longest run-ins from the final fence of any steeplechase, at 494 yards (452 m). The Grand National was designed as a cross-country steeplechase when it was first officially run in 1839. The runners started at a lane on the edge of the racecourse and raced away from the course out over open countryside towards the Leeds and Liverpool Canal . The gates, hedges, and ditches that they met along

5546-871: The luxury train operator the Pullman Car Company, which the British Transport Commission (BTC) had acquired in 1954. Shortly after their introduction, in 1962, the Pullman Car Company was incorporated into the British Railways network. Originally given the last Pullman vehicle numbers, towards the end of their operational life the trains gained the British Rail TOPS classification of Class 251 (motor cars) and Class 261 (kitchen and parlour cars), although they never carried these numbers. The WR sets operated from London Paddington to Birmingham and Wolverhampton , and to Bristol , Cardiff and Swansea . The LMR sets operated

5640-548: The mid-1860s. Contemporary newspaper reports place all the 1836–38 races at Aintree although the 1839 race is the first described as "national". However, calls for the Nationals of 1836–1838 to be restored to the record books have been unsuccessful. In 1838 and 1839 three significant events occurred to transform the race from a small local affair to a national event. Firstly, the Great St. Albans Chase, which had clashed with

5734-500: The morning from Manchester Central to London St Pancras calling at Cheadle Heath , a fill-in journey from St Pancras to Leicester , Loughborough , Nottingham and return, and an evening return to Manchester. With completion in 1966 of the electrification of the West Coast Main Line from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly , there was the opportunity for a faster electric-locomotive-hauled Pullman service than

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5828-576: The north to Adelaide in the south. The Indian Pacific is a long-distance train connecting Sydney on the east coast, with Perth on the west coast. Grand National The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Aintree , Merseyside, England. First run in 1839 , it is a handicap steeplechase over an official distance of about 4 miles and 2½ furlongs (4 miles 514 yards (6.907 km)), with horses jumping 30 fences over two laps. It

5922-559: The others fall down!" These words turned out to be true, as 41 of the 42 starters fell during the race. That year's National was run during misty weather conditions with the going very heavy. As the field approached the Canal Turn on the first circuit, Easter Hero fell, causing a pile-up from which only seven horses emerged with seated jockeys. By the penultimate fence, this number had reduced to three, with Great Span looking most likely to win ahead of Billy Barton and Tipperary Tim. Great Span's saddle then slipped, leaving Billy Barton in

6016-436: The perception that the Pullman supplement was not value for money. The WR Birmingham Pullman ran in the morning Wolverhampton Low Level to London Paddington , via Birmingham Snow Hill and through High Wycombe , with a fill-in journey from Paddington to Birmingham Snow Hill and back, before the evening return to Wolverhampton. The Bristol Pullman ran from Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington and back, twice in

6110-695: The possibility of fixed-formation multiple-unit inter-city train services, that a decade later was developed as the InterCity 125 , which resembled them in having an integral power car at each end of the train. There were two versions, built by Metro-Cammell in Birmingham: two first-class six-car sets for the London Midland Region (LMR), and three two-class eight-car sets for the Western Region (WR). They were initially operated by

6204-489: The possibility of running diesel express passenger trains using new trains. Initially proposed as the Midland Pullman , it was timed to compete on the London to Manchester route against car and air travel. After being initially rejected for operational reasons, the BTC decided to make use of the reputation of the recently acquired Pullman company to operate the new service. Two six-car units, all first class, were ordered for

6298-400: The postponement of the 1997 Grand National to a Monday because of an IRA bomb threat and the 2023 Grand National being delayed due to Animal Rising protesters. The most recent running of the race, in 2024 , was won by I Am Maximus. Since 2017, the race and accompanying festival have been sponsored by Randox . The next meeting will take place from 3–5 April 2025. The Grand National

6392-464: The problem, but it was never entirely removed. After a demonstration run on 24 June 1960, Midland Pullman commenced on 4 July 1960, and the WR trains on 12 September. They operated Monday to Friday only. Weekends were reserved for maintenance, and allowed their occasional use on special or charter services to events such as the Grand National . The Midland Pullman ran from 1960 to 1966 in

6486-415: The race run for a record purse of £1 million in 2014 . In March 2016 it was announced that Randox Health would take over from Crabbie's as official partners of the Grand National festival from 2017 , for at least five years. The sponsorship award was controversial as Aintree's chairwoman, Rose Paterson , was married to Owen Paterson , a Member of Parliament (MP) who also earns a £50,000 annual fee as

6580-576: The race was disrupted by the Animal Rising protests, the first such disruptions since the cancellation of the 1993 Grand National due to a series of false starts and the 1997 Grand National due to the IRA bomb threat. The Grand National is run over the National Course at Aintree and consists of two laps of 16 fences, the first 14 of which are jumped twice. Horses completing the race cover

6674-457: The run-in, but the incident remains inexplicable. The incident became part of the folklore of the event, and by extension British sporting culture. In modern language, the phrase "to do a Devon Loch" is often used to describe a last-minute failure to achieve an expected victory. Rutherfords has been hampered, and so has Castle Falls; Rondetto has fallen, Princeful has fallen, Norther has fallen, Kirtle Lad has fallen, The Fossa has fallen, there's

6768-467: The scenery. It consists of up to ten luxury passenger cars (built between 1916 and 1931), two fully restored 1950s locomotives, and a booster unit . Seven Stars in Kyushu is a deluxe sleeping-car excursion train that has toured the island of Kyushu since October 2013. Its name derives from Kyushu's seven prefectures and the train's seven cars. The train has a piano, bar, suites, a mini-kitchen,

6862-497: The scrapyard in July 1975 for preservation, however, none have been preserved. Some of the motor cars were retained at Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Bath Road TMD until mid-1974 as standby electricity generators during industrial action in the electricity and coal-mining industries. The Irish national rail and bus operator Córas Iompair Éireann gave "serious consideration" to acquiring (and by implication, re-gauging by exchanging

6956-475: The sets were repainted in a reverse corporate blue and grey livery, similar to other Pullman coaches and the prototype Class 252 , though some retained the Nanking blue livery into 1969. Power car (one at each end of set): The sets were formed from six types of car: The cars were coupled into trains of six or eight cars. Each car was hermetically sealed for the air-conditioning, and all sets were symmetrical, with two kitchen cars serving their respective half of

7050-481: The standard gauge bogies with broad-gauge ones) the Blue Pullman sets but ultimately decided against it. The sets had a maximum speed of 90 mph (140 km/h). The fixed couplings reduced much of the jerky movement experienced by conventionally buffered carriages and allowed smooth acceleration and stable running. The bogies had hydraulically damped helical springs, and the axles were pneumatically braked in

7144-476: The stands. The majority of the race, therefore, took place not on the actual Aintree Racecourse but instead in the adjoining countryside. That countryside was incorporated into the modern course but commentators still often refer to it as "the country". There are 16 fences on the National Course topped with spruce from the Lake District . The cores of 12 fences were rebuilt in 2012 and they are now made of

7238-466: The steeplechase at Aintree, was not renewed after 1838, leaving a major hole in the chasing calendar. Secondly, the railway, opened from Manchester to Liverpool in 1830, was linked to a line from London and Birmingham in 1839 enabling rail transport to the Liverpool area from large parts of the country for the first time. Finally, a committee was formed to better organise the event. These factors led to

7332-420: The surcharge for Blue Pullmans seemed uneconomical and unreliable to passengers and BR managers, and in 1973 the trains were withdrawn. None were preserved. The sets featured in three films, one of the same name as a documentary of the design and development, and an observation of the first service. From 2006, the Blue Pullman name was revived as a charter railtour , operated by various companies. In June 1954,

7426-419: The traditional Pullman livery of brown and cream, and cars bore the word "PULLMAN" rather than individual names. Seating was also different from traditional first-class Pullman cars, increasing from 1+1 to 1+2. The original livery was Nanking blue with white window surrounds and the Pullman crest on the front and sides. From mid-1966 full wrap-around yellow ends were applied to the driving cars. From October 1967

7520-626: The train. As with earlier British Transport films, many of the personnel, scientists, engineers, crew and passengers were featured. It won several awards, including the Technical & Industrial Information section of the Festival for Films for Television in 1961. It is particularly notable for its eerie score, by Clifton Parker . The units were the subject of the British Transport Film Let's Go To Birmingham in 1962. This

7614-422: The train. London Midland trains were formed up as [types] 1-4-6-6-4-1, whilst Western region sets ran as 2-3-5-6-6-5-3-2. In an emergency, the buffers on the front of the sets were used in conjunction with a normally concealed coupling hook. The LMR thus operated two sets of six first-class cars, the WR three sets of eight cars. Withdrawal of the Midland Pullman allowed operation of 12-car formations. The seating in

7708-497: The war , the commandeering of Aintree Racecourse for defence use in 1941 meant no Grand National could be held from 1941 to 1945. It recommenced in 1946, when it was run on a Friday, and from 1947 was moved to a Saturday, at the urging of the Home Secretary James Chuter Ede , who thought this would make it more accessible to working people. It has normally been run on a Saturday ever since. During

7802-413: The way were flagged to provide them with the obstacles to be jumped along the way with posts and rails erected at the two points where the runners jumped a brook. The runners returned towards the racecourse by running along the edge of the canal before re-entering the course at the opposite end. The runners then ran the length of the racecourse before embarking on a second circuit before finishing in front of

7896-550: The world in 2009. The Royal Scotsman offers service across Scotland and, occasionally, the rest of Britain. The Belmond Grand Hibernian began operations in Ireland on 30 August 2016. The Eastern and Oriental Express runs from Bangkok to Singapore (via Kuala Lumpur ) and to Vientiane . Covering over 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) of peninsular Southeast Asia, its two-day journey includes frequent stops at scenic locations. The Belmond Andean Explorer services

7990-420: Was breaking all records to become the most successful racehorse in Grand National history. Originally bought as a yearling in 1966 for 400 guineas (£420), he passed through various training yards before being bought for 6,000 guineas (£6,300) by Ginger McCain on behalf of Noel le Mare. Two days after the purchase while trotting the horse on Southport beach, McCain noticed that Red Rum appeared lame. The horse

8084-599: Was called the Racecourse Association Steeplechase, and in 1917 and 1918 the race was called the War National Steeplechase. The races at Gatwick are not always recognised as "Grand Nationals" and their results are often omitted from winners' lists. On the day of the 1928 Grand National , before the race had begun, Tipperary Tim 's jockey William Dutton heard a friend call out to him: "Billy boy, you'll only win if all

8178-469: Was founded by William Lynn, a syndicate head and proprietor of the Waterloo Hotel , on land he leased in Aintree from William Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton . Lynn set out a course, built a grandstand, and Lord Sefton laid the foundation stone on 7 February 1829. There is much debate regarding the first official Grand National; most leading published historians, including John Pinfold, now prefer

8272-417: Was in second place at the last fence, 15 lengths behind champion horse Crisp , who was carrying 23 lbs more. Red Rum made up the ground on the run-in and, two strides from the finishing post, he pipped the tiring Crisp to win by three-quarters of a length in what is arguably the most memorable Grand National of all time. Red Rum finished in 9 minutes 1.9 seconds, taking 18.3 seconds off the previous record for

8366-440: Was normally sufficient. An onboard Travelling Maintenance Attendant monitored the supply of services. Seating was 2+1 armchair-type around tables with a table lamp and with steward call button. The saloons were protected from track noise by extra insulation in the bodywork and double-glazed windows with Venetian blinds between the panes. To emphasise the new type of service, a Nanking blue livery and associated brand image replaced

8460-528: Was of a run from London Paddington to Birmingham Snow Hill via Leamington Spa and was largely a sped-up "cab view" film in the style of London to Brighton in Four Minutes . The driver in the film, Ernest Morris, was killed on 15 August 1963 in the Knowle and Dorridge rail crash when his express train collided with a freight train at 20 mph (32 km/h). His train was a Birmingham Pullman hauled by

8554-400: Was repainted in replica Blue Pullman livery. The train made its inaugural run on 12 December that year, from London St Pancras to Crewe and back, and (as of January 2023) offers several railtours every year as the "Midland Pullman". The units starred in the 1960 British Transport Films Blue Pullman directed by James Ritchie, which followed their development, preparation and a journey on

8648-405: Was ridden by Martin Becher . The fence Becher's Brook is named after him and is where he fell in the race. By the 1840s, Lynn's ill-health blunted his enthusiasm for Aintree. Edward Topham, a respected handicapper and prominent member of Lynn's syndicate, began to exert greater influence over the National. He turned the chase into a handicap in 1843 after it had been a weight-for-age race for

8742-448: Was suffering from pedal osteitis , an inflammatory bone disorder. McCain had witnessed many lame carthorses reconditioned by being galloped in sea-water. He successfully used this treatment on his newly acquired racehorse. Red Rum became, and remains as of 2018, the only horse to have won the Grand National three times, in 1973 , 1974 , and 1977 . He also finished second in the two intervening years, 1975 and 1976 . In 1973, he

8836-472: Was unable to complete the race, leaving E.S.B. to cross the finishing line first. Responding to the commiserations of E.S.B.’s owner, the Queen Mother famously commented: "Oh, that's racing!" Had Devon Loch completed the race he might have set a new record for the fastest finishing time, which E.S.B. missed by only four-fifths of a second. Many explanations have been offered for Devon Loch's behaviour on

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