
Winston Churchill's D-Day carriage returns to rails after 50 years
Pullman Car No 246 'Lydia' was used during crucial wartime strategy meetings ahead of D-Day and later during Churchill's state funeral in 1965.
It has been meticulously returned to its original specification by a team at South Devon Railway.
Originally constructed in 1924 by the Midland Railway Carriage & Wagon Company, 'Lydia' embodies the golden age of luxury rail travel.
'Built for the prestigious Pullman Company, known globally for iconic trains such as the Orient Express, the carriage is a rare and tangible link to Britain's wartime past and a symbol of enduring craftsmanship,' a South Devon Railway spokesman said.
From this summer, the carriage will operate on journeys through the South Devon countryside along the scenic line between Buckfastleigh and Totnes.
'With its Art Deco elegance and deep political and cultural resonance, the Pullman offers guests a journey into the heart of British history,' the spokesman said.
'The return of 'Lydia' to active service represents more than the restoration of a rail carriage, it is the revival of a legacy that shaped the course of the 20th century.
'The South Devon Railway's recommissioning of 'Lydia' ensures that this unique piece of global history is not only preserved but reanimated for a new generation.'
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Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Our pick of Kent's best beaches from hidden bays to pubs on the sand ahead of the 26C weather
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Head of Travel (Digital) Caroline McGuire 9 Whitstable is still a great destination despite it's popularity Credit: Alamy 9 The Old Neptune Pub is right on the beach Credit: Alamy Palm Bay, Margate One of Margate's big draws is the sandy Main Sands which you can see as soon as you leave the train station - but the nearby Palm Bay is my favourite. Having lived in Margate for a number of years, Palm Bay is where you will spot the locals. Tucked under the cliffs, it is much quieter than the main area and is round the corner from Walpole Bay lido - the largest of it's kind in Europe. Make sure to find the pop up sauna as well, and visit on the last Sunday of every month for Cliftonville Farmers' Market, with fresh food and drinks. Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey 9 Palm Bay is quieter in Margate and near the famous lido Credit: Alamy Kingsgate Bay Beach, Broadstairs The walk from Margate to Broadstairs has some amazing hidden coves, one of which being Kingsgate Bay. 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Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
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Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
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