George Pullman must be one the best known names in railway history, for it was he who developed the sleeping car and dining car to a point where they became the epitome of luxury travel. His Pullman Palace Car Company, founded in Chicago in 1867, provided luxury cars for American railroads and the rest of the world.
His first sleeping car, the Pioneer, was built for the Chicago and Alton Railroad in 1864 and its immediate success led to the setting up of the company.
His first dining car, the President, was built in 1867 for the Great Western Railway of Canada. Known as the Hotel Car, it was a sleeping car equipped with a kitchen and pantry, and portable tables which were set up for meals. The first complete dining car, the Delmonico was built for the Chicago and Alton Railroad in 1868.
Dining Car ‘Adelaide’ was ordered from the Pullman Company, along with the sleeping cars ‘Mt Lofty’ and ‘Macedon’ in 1926, for use on the Melbourne Express, and is a typical example of North American carriage building practices of the time. At 75 tons (75,000kg) it was found to be too heavy. Its inclusion in the train consist (then limited to 11 E-cars over the Mt Lofty Ranges) excluded the use of two standard cars and therefore proved uneconomical. It nevertheless saw service from time to time, and became a favourite on enthusiasts’ trains in the 1960s and 1970s.
When Australian National took over South Australia’s country services in 1978, ‘Adelaide’ remained under the ownership of the State Transport Authority who leased it to the museum. It was placed in the museum on the 6th September 1988.
25.3.1978 Unknown – South Australia 2x unidentified females with 2x unidentified males in front of STA Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – Australian National Railways 830 class diesel locomotives Nos. 846 + 844 on Clare Flyer (439-1442-s011) 25.3.1978 Unknown – South Australia 2x unidentified females with 2x unidentified males in front of STA Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – Australian National Railways 830 class diesel locomotives Nos. 846 + 844 on Clare Flyer – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Harry Scultz Collection (CRS 439-1442)17.03.1963 Mount Lofty – South Australia South Australian Railways 500 class steam locomotive No. 500 on ARHS trip to Victor Harbour coming into yard- Pullman Dining car Adelaide – 2x unidentified South Australian Railways 500 or 600 class passenger cars – 3x 700 class type passenger cars – station buildings and platforms (376-1427-010) 17.03.1963 Mount Lofty – South Australia South Australian Railways 500 class steam locomotive No. 500 on ARHS trip to Victor Harbour coming into yard- Pullman Dining car Adelaide – 2x unidentified South Australian Railways 500 or 600 class passenger cars – 3x 700 class type passenger cars – station buildings and platforms – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Terry Trezsize Slides (CRS 376-1427)1.6.1968 South Australian Railways Adelaide – Nuriootpa – South Australia SAR Pullman Dining car Adelaide in front of unidentified SAR Steel cars (2-194-r-0220) 1.6.1968 South Australian Railways Adelaide – Nuriootpa – South Australia SAR Pullman Dining car Adelaide in front of unidentified SAR Steel cars – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Doug Colquhoun Photo Collection (CRS 2-194)3.8.1985 Australian National Railways – Keswick Terminal – South Australia Interior of State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide during Mile End Railway Museum Dinner at Rail Passenger Terminal (2-194-r-2982) 3.8.1985 Australian National Railways – Keswick Terminal – South Australia Interior of State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide during Mile End Railway Museum Dinner at Rail Passenger Terminal – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Doug Colquhoun Photo Collection (CRS 2-194)28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Lyndoch – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray (2-194-r-3004) 28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Lyndoch – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Doug Colquhoun Photo Collection (CRS 2-194)28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray (2-194-r-3005) 28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Doug Colquhoun Photo Collection (CRS 2-194)28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray (2-194-r-3006) 28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Doug Colquhoun Photo Collection (CRS 2-194)28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray (2-194-r-3007) 28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Doug Colquhoun Photo Collection (CRS 2-194)28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray (2-194-r-3008) 28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Doug Colquhoun Photo Collection (CRS 2-194)28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions 930 + S class No. 951 + 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia AN 930 class diesel locomotive No. 951 on Down empty Limestone crossing Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Up Train Tour Promotions special (2-194-r-3009) 28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions 930 + S class No. 951 + 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia AN 930 class diesel locomotive No. 951 on Down empty Limestone crossing Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Up Train Tour Promotions special – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Doug Colquhoun Photo Collection (CRS 2-194)28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray (2-194-r-3010) 28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Doug Colquhoun Photo Collection (CRS 2-194)28.7.1985 Train Tour promotions S class No. 317 – Lyndoch – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on down Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray (2-194-xr-0087) 28.7.1985 Train Tour promotions S class No. 317 – Lyndoch – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on down Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Doug Colquhoun Photo Collection (CRS 2-194)28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray (2-194-xy-0004) 28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Doug Colquhoun Photo Collection (CRS 2-194)28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray (2-194-z-0519) 28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Nuriootpa – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Doug Colquhoun Photo Collection (CRS 2-194)28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Unknown – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray (2-194-z-0575) 28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – Unknown – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Doug Colquhoun Photo Collection (CRS 2-194)28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – unknown – Barossa Valley – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray (2-194-z-1068) 28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – unknown – Barossa Valley – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Doug Colquhoun Photo Collection (CRS 2-194)28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – unknown – Barossa Valley – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray (2-194-z-1069) 28.7.1985 Train Tour Promotions S class No. 317 – unknown – Barossa Valley – South Australia Vline S class diesel locomotive No. 317 on Train Tour Promotions special – CD class brake van – D type passenger cars – State Transport Authority Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – State Transport Authority Commissioners Car Murray – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Doug Colquhoun Photo Collection (CRS 2-194)Pichi Richi Pass – South Australia Pichi Richi Railway – view of track (Murray Billett 17-337-mb-s059-05)circa early to mid 1980s Adelaide – South Australia STA Pullman Dining Car Adelaide in North Car Yard (19-357-1287) circa early to mid 1980s Adelaide – South Australia STA Pullman Dining Car Adelaide in North Car Yard – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, John Southwell Negative Collection (CRS 19-357)09.02.1950 Islington – South Australia South Australian Railways Pullman dining car Adelaide – South Australian Railways Centenary Baggage No.376 – unidentified damaged DA class 4 wheel lourve van (32-257-0310) 09.02.1950 Islington – South Australia South Australian Railways Pullman dining car Adelaide – South Australian Railways Centenary Baggage No.376 – unidentified damaged DA class 4 wheel lourve van – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Ralph Skewes Collection (CRS 32-257)5.5.1962 Unknown – South Australia South Australian Railways 620 class steam locomotive No.621 on ARHS special tour to Wilmington – Pullman dining car Adelaide – café car – South Australian Railways 780 class cars 781 + 783 – Centenary car No. 325 (32-257-x048)13.10.1969 Terowie – South Australia Farewell Narrow Gauge tour – South Australian Railways 520 class steam locomotive No.526 + 4x South Australian Railways steel passenger cars + South Australian Railways Pullman Dining Car Adelaide (160-285-P-003) 13.10.1969 Terowie – South Australia Farewell Narrow Gauge tour – South Australian Railways 520 class steam locomotive No.526 + 4x South Australian Railways steel passenger cars + South Australian Railways Pullman Dining Car Adelaide – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Geoffrey Randall Collection (CRS 160-285)c.1951 Islington – South Australia SAR Pullman Dining car Adelaide + Joint Stock Sleeper (215-1237-a231) c.1951 Islington – South Australia SAR Pullman Dining car Adelaide + Joint Stock Sleeper – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Ron Stewien Negative Collection (CRS 215-1237)17.03.1963 Mitcham – South Australia South Australian Railways 500 class steam locomotive No. 500 on ARHS trip to Victor Harbour passing through station – Pullman Dining car Adelaide – 2x unidentified South Australian Railways 500 or 600 class passenger cars – 3x 700 class type passenger cars – station buildings and platforms (376-1427-003) 17.03.1963 Mitcham – South Australia South Australian Railways 500 class steam locomotive No. 500 on ARHS trip to Victor Harbour passing through station – Pullman Dining car Adelaide – 2x unidentified South Australian Railways 500 or 600 class passenger cars – 3x 700 class type passenger cars – station buildings and platforms – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Terry Trezsize Slides (CRS 376-1427)17.03.1963 Mitcham – South Australia South Australian Railways 500 class steam locomotive No. 500 on ARHS trip to Victor Harbour passing through station – Pullman Dining car Adelaide – 2x unidentified South Australian Railways 500 or 600 class passenger cars – 3x 700 class type passenger cars – station buildings and platforms (376-1427-004) 17.03.1963 Mitcham – South Australia South Australian Railways 500 class steam locomotive No. 500 on ARHS trip to Victor Harbour passing through station – Pullman Dining car Adelaide – 2x unidentified South Australian Railways 500 or 600 class passenger cars – 3x 700 class type passenger cars – station buildings and platforms – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Terry Trezsize Slides (CRS 376-1427)17.03.1963 Belair – South Australia South Australian Railways 500 class steam locomotive No. 500 on ARHS trip to Victor Harbour coming into station – Pullman Dining car Adelaide – station buildings and platforms (376-1427-005) 17.03.1963 Belair – South Australia South Australian Railways 500 class steam locomotive No. 500 on ARHS trip to Victor Harbour coming into station – Pullman Dining car Adelaide – station buildings and platforms – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Terry Trezsize Slides (CRS 376-1427)17.03.1963 Belair – South Australia South Australian Railways 500 class steam locomotive No. 500 on ARHS trip to Victor Harbour passing through station – Pullman Dining car Adelaide – station buildings and platforms (376-1427-006) 17.03.1963 Belair – South Australia South Australian Railways 500 class steam locomotive No. 500 on ARHS trip to Victor Harbour passing through station – Pullman Dining car Adelaide – station buildings and platforms – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Terry Trezsize Slides (CRS 376-1427)17.03.1963 Mount Lofty – South Australia South Australian Railways 500 class steam locomotive No. 500 on ARHS trip to Victor Harbour coming into yard- Pullman Dining car Adelaide – 2x unidentified South Australian Railways 500 or 600 class passenger cars – 3x 700 class type passenger cars – station buildings and platforms (376-1427-008)17.03.1963 Mount Lofty – South Australia South Australian Railways 500 class steam locomotive No. 500 on ARHS trip to Victor Harbour coming into yard- Pullman Dining car Adelaide – 2x unidentified South Australian Railways 500 or 600 class passenger cars – 3x 700 class type passenger cars – station buildings and platforms (376-1427-009) 17.03.1963 Mount Lofty – South Australia South Australian Railways 500 class steam locomotive No. 500 on ARHS trip to Victor Harbour coming into yard- Pullman Dining car Adelaide – 2x unidentified South Australian Railways 500 or 600 class passenger cars – 3x 700 class type passenger cars – station buildings and platforms – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Terry Trezsize Slides (CRS 376-1427)c1985 Alice Springs – Northern Territory View of the Ghan in yard (439-1442-s056) c1985 Alice Springs – Northern Territory View of the Ghan in yard – National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, Harry Scultz Collection (CRS 439-1442)
