The Stannington Pullman has been fully refurbished to provide luxury accommodation
A dream home for railway buffs has hit the market at a steal of just £70,000. The luxury train carriage has been transformed into a plush holiday cottage.
The Stannington Pullman, a 75ft (23m) long converted railway carriage, has been fully revamped to offer cosy accommodation for up to four people. This first-class property in Morpeth, Northumberland, boasts a dash of Hollywood sparkle as it is perched on the very tracks featured in the original Mission Impossible film. Emma Williams, co-owner of the 1978 train, bought it from a rolling stock company after it had completed its service life in 2020, having shuttled between inter-city routes to London and later around the East Midlands.
Williams then set about turning the carriage into a stunning abode complete with gas central heating, a separate shower room/toilet, two bedrooms, and a fully-equipped shaker-style kitchen. The dining area is crafted from an authentic leather East Midlands Railway booth, complete with original tables and chairs. For the past three years, it has been operating as a holiday let, fetching £220 per night.
Currently nestled near the East Coast Mainline, five miles south of Morpeth, this unique home is being touted as the perfect property for trainspotters and railway enthusiasts.
The rails beneath the carriage are included in the sale, alongside the ballast supporting it, the external decking and all internal furnishings. Emma, who is handling the private sale herself, revealed the venture took two years from initial conception to its 2022 launch.
She explained: “We’d originally looked at putting a couple of log cabins on the land, but with the site being so close to the East Coast Mainline, we had the idea of converting a train carriage instead.
“After finding the right option for the space we had, we came up with a design that both provided everything that you’d expect from high quality holiday accommodation and also retained the character of the carriage.
“It’s been a brilliant project to create, especially with the amazing response we’ve had from our guests over the last three years, and it’s been extremely popular all year-round, but it’s now time for the train to pull out of the station and find a new place to stop.”
The 47-year-old carriage started life as a Mark III Tourist Standard Open, before being reconstructed for Grand Central as a Mark III Trailer Standard and ultimately reconfigured as Coach 41207. Emma continued: “Train enthusiasts and former railway workers have naturally made a significant proportion of our guests, especially given the great views that the Pullman has of the East Coast Mainline.
“But its been popular with people who were just looking for a quirky place to stay and also with children with special educational needs who’ve loved having the chance to stay in a train.
“We think any number of buyers could be interested, from holiday park owners or destination venues who want to add an extra dimension to their site through to people like us with some land to use for something interesting or someone who just wants to use the Pullman as their own personal bolthole.
“We’re happy to give help and advice on how to transport and set up the carriage, and we’d love to think that it goes to someone who’ll enjoy having it as much as we have.”
