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South for Sunshine

Travel in style

Luxury travel was also promoted by the Southern Railway. There were four Pullman trains known as "The Bournemouth Belle", "The Brighton Belle", "The Devon Belle" and "The Thanet Belle". The Bournemouth Belle was considered the height of luxury. It was introduced on Saturday 5 July 1931. During its first season, it left Waterloo daily at 10.30 am and returned at 7.18 pm. It originally had ten Pullman cars but this varied in later years depending on the number of passengers.

The Bournemouth Belle

Southern Railway. The Bournemouth Belle by H. Molenaar, 1933
© National Railway Museum / Science & Society Picture Library

When the all-Pullman "Devon Belle" was introduced in 1947, it added yet another name to the list of famous British expresses. It brought a new standard of luxury to the journey westward and the added bonus of a specially constructed observation car. It ran from Waterloo to Ilfracombe. At the time, it was referred to as "The Glasshouse" and "Britain's only American style observation car".

The Devon Belle

Southern Railway. The Devon Belle by Marc Severin, 1947
© National Railway Museum / Science & Society Picture Library

The Southern Railway also advertised its continental services to promote the "exotic" destinations that could be reached by its ferry services. Again, luxurious trains were used including the "Golden Arrow" or "Flèche D'Or". The Golden Arrow was introduced as a deluxe train for first class Pullman passengers between London and Paris. The Southern had the advantage of being the major continental carriers and offered information on foreign hotels, passports, trains and reservations.

In the Southern booklet "Travelling South", Helen McKie describes the journey from Victoria to Paris on the Golden Arrow. It began with "the distinct thrill on arriving at Victoria and seeing the sumptuous blue coaches. The Wagons-Lits Company have excelled themselves in these new coaches specially built for the train ferry, with their blue lacquer walls, chromium fittings, mirrors, bells, lights everywhere even the water bottle in a neat little cupboard looks like a handsome gin decanter."

The new Golden Arrow Pullman

Southern Railway. The new "Golden Arrow" Pullman by Shep, 1929
© National Railway Museum / Science & Society Picture Library