The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has announced that its Pullman Car 79 has returned to operational service after a restoration project that took ten years to complete.

Car no. 79 is the oldest Pullman dining coach at the NYMR, having been built in 1928, and is the only car of its type still in existence.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s Autumn Pullman services, which run until 4 November, will provide the first opportunity for passengers to enjoy dining in the fully restored carriage.

They will be served with a hearty Yorkshire three-course meal (including vegetarian options) as the train travels through the scenic North York Moors.

The dining car was one of twenty-nine cars that were the first British Pullmans to be built entirely from steel for use on the LNER.

Car no. 79 ran on various Pullman services until 1965. Eight years later, it was donated to the South Yorkshire Area Group of the NYMR, and came to the NYMR in May 1990.

Restoration work on the car has included carrying out major repairs to its roof, including replacing roof side panels, overhauling the bogies and repairing bodywork.

The car has been fully rewired and its marquetry repaired and varnished. Its floor, carpets and upholstery have also been replaced.

The railway is currently preparing for its Autumn Steam Gala at the end of this month, and a busy festive programme later in the year.

Car 79 is a truly special part of the NYMR heritage, so it’s incredibly exciting to see this beautifully restored carriage return to service. The scale and craftsmanship involved in the project has been remarkable, and we’re so glad passengers can now experience it for themselves. The Autumn Pullman services are the perfect opportunity to step back in time whilst travelling on history through the stunning Moors – we hope diners will enjoy the unique character of Car 79 as much as we do.

Laura Strangeway, Chief Executive Officer, North Yorkshire Moors Railway