Most of us are familliar with the famous wool Pullman blanket. Does anyone know what the numbers mean that are printed (or woven in the old heavyweight era) just below the Pullman emblem? I’ve seen a S-20 or S-22 number. Would the S stand for “section” as in open section or is it a size designation. Pullman had a habit of numbering EVERYTHING!
Thanks, ED
Yikes: Tough question, I tried everywhere to find out what the number means, no luck, but someone out there knows. I read sections from “The LIfe of A Pullman Porter” which is out of print, what a revealing portion of life in North America in that time frame, scary, really. C’mon out there, surely you know what those numbers meant. One revealing statement from the book was the issuance of “blue” pullman blankets to porters. I’m sure a few of the readers know the reason for this.
According to information provided by William F Howes in “The Sleeping Car - A General Guide”, by Theodore Shrady, published by the ACL and SAL Historical Society -
The “S” possibly referred to the actual color and pattern of a particular blanket run while the number indicated the number of years after the introduction of that particular pattern. The Chocolate blankets were introduced in 1907, while the Cedar blankets debued in 1936. So, S-20 would indicate that the blanket was manufactured in 1927 or in 1956, depending on the color/pattern. According to the book, when the Cedar blankets were introduced, the numbering system reverted back to 1.
Also, on the Chocolate blankets, those manufactured before 1927 just had “Pullman” woven in, whereas blankets manufactured after that date had “The Property of the Pullman Co” woven in.
Does anyone know if FDR had his own pattern of Pullman Blankets on his car? If so, what was the pattern? If not, what was the standard pattern then?
Many thanks,
Strumline
I would like to know as well.
I have two, an S-17 and a S-21, that appear to be identical, but then I’ve never put them side by side and compared. I may do that later and report back.
Are the blankets a solid color with a circular Pullman logo or does it have a woven pattern with “Pullman” in a rectangular box? See my previous post for dating these blankets. I think there were only two patterns issued.
I realize I’m replying to an old post but I have a definitive answer. After Hurricane Andrew in '92 I supervised the restoration and repair of South Florida historic sites while working for FEMA. That included the restoration of the Ferdinand Magellan, U.S. Rail Car No.1, the presidential car you refer to. The car has long been a National Historic Landmark, South Florida’s first, contrary to statements by others.
The Magellan was probably the safest place to be during the hurricane. Its steel plating, heavy duty trucks and bulletproof glass helped it remain nearly intact, even when the steel shed it was displayed under collapsed on it during the storm. The security officer for the Gold Coast Railroad Museum (who own the Magellan and display it down in Miami) occupied the caqr along with his wife during the storm. They didn’t realize the shed had collapsed until daylight arrived. They thought the shaking of the car was no different from what they’d been experiencing all night. That was a smart move, staying in the car, since their nearby mobile home ended up in pieces in the Everglades.
Research to overhaul and repair the car after the storm could turn up no record of linens and blankets, tablecloths, etc., other than standard Pullman issue. Even when the federal government declared it surplus decades ago, it was stored intact and fully stocked except for perishables. We have since taken that to mean the lnens, etc., that were inside the car when it was conveyed to the Museum are original. They remain in the car today.
I am going to guess -
Big organizations designate a specific ‘form number’ for virtually every item that is ‘required’ in the operation of their business. This goes from form numbers applied to various paper forms (switch lists, accounting ledgers, menus, etc.) or any physical objects (blankets, mattresses, sheets, pillows, etc.) that are required to ordered from the company’s ‘Storeroom’ for whatever the reasons.
Employees in the operation will frequently refer these products by their ‘form number’ when conversing about their supplies.
From my working days the card stock Switch List was commonly referred to as a CF62, other things were also commonly referred to by their form number.
[quote user="navyman636"]
I realize I’m replying to an old post but I have a definitive answer. After Hurricane Andrew in '92 I supervised the restoration and repair of South Florida historic sites while working for FEMA. That included the restoration of the Ferdinand Magellan, U.S. Rail Car No.1, the presidential car you refer to. The car has long been a National Historic Landmark, South Florida’s first, contrary to statements by others.
The Magellan was probably the safest place to be during the hurricane. Its steel plating, heavy duty trucks and bulletproof glass helped it remain nearly intact, even when the steel shed it was displayed under collapsed on it during the storm. The security officer for the Gold Coast Railroad Museum (who own the Magellan and display it down in Miami) occupied the caqr along with his wife during the storm. They didn’t realize the shed had collapsed until daylight arrived. They thought the shaking of the car was no different from what they’d been experiencing all night. That was a smart move, staying in the car, since their nearby mobile home ended up in pieces in the Everglades.
Research to overhaul and repair the car after the storm could turn up no record of linens and blankets, tablecloths, etc., other than standard Pullman issue. Even when the federal government declared it surplus decades ago, it was stored intact and fully stocked except for perishables. We have since taken that to mean the lnens, etc., that were inside the car when it was conveyed to the Museum are original. They remain in the car today.
/quote]
The Car Ferdinand Magellan Pullman #1`is at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum as previously stated by (navyman636)… Linked here @
Reading this reopened thread made me wonder if there was more info (why not, could be interesting). Turns out that Classic Trains in the summer 2008 issue published an article by Robert Klara called ‘Woolen Wonders’ which covered the topic of Pullman Blankets (including explaining the number code). Since that article was published 3 years after the initial creation of this thread, I wonder if that was somehow linked or inspiring to either Kalmbach or Mr. Klara…
Back in my early Army days, there was a form that listed the location (present for duty, detached, hospitalized, emprisoned, absent with leave, absent without leave, Dead, Missing in Action, Wounded in Action and Killed in Action) of every service member assigned to a company or company sized organization as of 8AM of every day. It had to be submitted to battalion by a certain time and eventually ended up in DC as the permanent, official, legal record of your service. It was so ancient, that it was, believe it or not, Department of the Army Form 1. Legend had it that George Washington himself had instituted the first morning reports at Vally Forge in the winter of 1776-77. I could belive it.
Hulcher also has part numbers for the various equipment used in derailment cleanups. It also has the effect of making it easier to get the right tool for the right job.
SO, with a tip of the hat; to Poster chutton01:
Here is an “enlargable copy” of the linked article, published by Mr. Robert Klara: linked from-- http://www.robertklara.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Woolen-Wonders.pdf
Image contained in this link can be blown up, to a readable size, with the link at the top of its page…[Recomend at least 400(orPlus)]
“blue” pullman blankets to Porters. I researched this topic several years ago when brother came up for us to pal around. The spare bedroom was turned into a “pullman room” complete with historical blackets, towels, and made up pillow case (of course there were several pullman advertisments hanging on the walls.) The numbers had to do with the year the blanket entered service. The blue blankets were worn out/too old blanks that were died that color and issued to the Porters. Easy way to tell employee use vs. customer use.