The Polaris Group
Posted: Fri May 18, 2018 2:41 pm
The Polaris Group is a bit of alternate history, as the vestibuled train wasn't introduced until 1887. I'm open to feedback from any of the buffer history buffs. Things I'm not sure about: Did they have express trains? How many could a train car accommodate? Did they have train service on Sundays and holidays? Did they even have sleepers in the UK? Most of what I found related to the Pullman cars in the US, but apparently his market was broken open because of the funeral train for Lincoln, so maybe they aren't even much of a thing.
Manchester Victoria Station has a two-story frontage and is one of the largest in Britain. It is managed by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway and connects the capital to the north country. Throngs of people from all walks of life brush elbows here. There are aristocrats boarding alongside shopkeeps and girls going to take on work at country estates, although they are not all boarding the same cars. Only a few of the cars are linked with vestibules, meaning passengers can walk safely between them while the train is in motion. Vestibuled cars are a new innovation, and only available as the most luxurious accomodations. Lady Jane directs you to the end of the train furthest from the engine, where there is a string of 5 vestibule cars. The first is a rather plain crew and baggage car, the second a well-appointed dining car, then two sleepers and an observation car. It really is a small rolling hotel and is known as the Polaris Group. There is nothing like it on the rails anywhere in the world.
The crew car is plain and functional on the inside. The staff of the Polaris group lives on board for a week at a time, taking off only on Sundays. It contains a small lounge, separate sleeping accommodations for 4 women and 4 men and a toilette. The rest of the car is given over to baggage.
The dining car serves breakfast from 6:00 until 10:00 in the AM, then lunch from 11:00 until 2:00, then tea from 3:00 to 5:00. It is closed for an hour while they prepare for supper, which is served from 6:00 until 9:00. The gentlemen typically take over the dining car at that point for brandy, cards and cigars, occasionally joined by several of the bolder ladies.
The sleeper cars can accommodate up to 20 people each. The plush couches fold out into beds that are very nearly comfortable, and berths fold down from the top to convert to a second set of beds accessible by ladder. Heavy velvet curtains provide a modicum of privacy and there are two small toilettes, one for the men and one for the ladies. Riding in the Polaris Group is considered quite risque and adventurous. Both men and women sleep in the same cars, although naturally not in the same berths. On this trip the sleeping cars are only about three-quarters full, as one may pay a premium to have an entire couch to one's self.
The observation car adds seating for up to 10 people. It is typically occupied by the servants of the real passengers in the sleeping car, though there are always a few pleasure-seekers on holiday. Most of the car is taken up with a spacious lounge featuring large windows that wrap around the sides and back of the car. It is always at the tail-end of a train to provide spectacular views of the countryside. The ladies typically take over the observation car at 9:00 in the evening for cocktails and cards, occasionally joined by several of the bolder gentlemen.
Manchester Victoria Station has a two-story frontage and is one of the largest in Britain. It is managed by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway and connects the capital to the north country. Throngs of people from all walks of life brush elbows here. There are aristocrats boarding alongside shopkeeps and girls going to take on work at country estates, although they are not all boarding the same cars. Only a few of the cars are linked with vestibules, meaning passengers can walk safely between them while the train is in motion. Vestibuled cars are a new innovation, and only available as the most luxurious accomodations. Lady Jane directs you to the end of the train furthest from the engine, where there is a string of 5 vestibule cars. The first is a rather plain crew and baggage car, the second a well-appointed dining car, then two sleepers and an observation car. It really is a small rolling hotel and is known as the Polaris Group. There is nothing like it on the rails anywhere in the world.
The crew car is plain and functional on the inside. The staff of the Polaris group lives on board for a week at a time, taking off only on Sundays. It contains a small lounge, separate sleeping accommodations for 4 women and 4 men and a toilette. The rest of the car is given over to baggage.
The dining car serves breakfast from 6:00 until 10:00 in the AM, then lunch from 11:00 until 2:00, then tea from 3:00 to 5:00. It is closed for an hour while they prepare for supper, which is served from 6:00 until 9:00. The gentlemen typically take over the dining car at that point for brandy, cards and cigars, occasionally joined by several of the bolder ladies.
The sleeper cars can accommodate up to 20 people each. The plush couches fold out into beds that are very nearly comfortable, and berths fold down from the top to convert to a second set of beds accessible by ladder. Heavy velvet curtains provide a modicum of privacy and there are two small toilettes, one for the men and one for the ladies. Riding in the Polaris Group is considered quite risque and adventurous. Both men and women sleep in the same cars, although naturally not in the same berths. On this trip the sleeping cars are only about three-quarters full, as one may pay a premium to have an entire couch to one's self.
The observation car adds seating for up to 10 people. It is typically occupied by the servants of the real passengers in the sleeping car, though there are always a few pleasure-seekers on holiday. Most of the car is taken up with a spacious lounge featuring large windows that wrap around the sides and back of the car. It is always at the tail-end of a train to provide spectacular views of the countryside. The ladies typically take over the observation car at 9:00 in the evening for cocktails and cards, occasionally joined by several of the bolder gentlemen.