The Pullman Car Company, founded by George Pullman, manufactured railroad cars in the mid-to-late 19th century through the early decades of the 20th century, during the boom of railroads in the United States. Its workers initially lived in a planned worker community (or “company town”) named Pullman. Pullman developed the sleeping car, which carried his name into the 1980s. Pullman did not just manufacture the cars: he also operated them on most of the railroads in the United States, paying railroad companies to couple the cars to trains. The labor union associated with the company, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, which was founded and organized by A. Philip Randolph, was one of the most powerful African-American political entities of the 20th century. The company also built thousands of streetcars and trolley cars for use in cities. (Details from Wikipedia click here)
I spent 2 days riding in a Pullman sleeping car, after the first day I felt trapped. But it could have been worse, well it was since at the end of the trip my head was shaved and the US Army claimed me (the 60’s, everyone was there).
For decades, during the big days of train travel, Pullman was considered Luxury.
Most of my life, and really not all that long ago, we had heavy, quality, wool blankets in my family all stamped Pullman Company. I don’t know, don’t want to…previous generation thing.
All photographs here taken at the Connecticut Valley Railroad yards, June 2017. They use restored Pullman cars for tourist trips, dinner cars, and train rides to a river boat. Very cool, and the yards never have had a problem with me wandering around.
Click and image to view the gallery.
