Churchill’s D-Day railway carriage returns to the rails in South Devon

A historic railway carriage used by Winston Churchill and General Eisenhower in the lead-up to D-Day has returned to service after more than 50 years, following extensive restoration in South Devon.

Pullman Car No. 246, known as Lydia, played a significant role in Britain’s wartime history, having hosted key strategic meetings before the 1944 Normandy landings. 

It was later used during Churchill’s state funeral in 1965.

The vintage carriage has been painstakingly restored to its original 1920s specification by a skilled team at the South Devon Railway. 

It will now be used for heritage journeys through the Devon countryside, including private hire, corporate events, and luxury dining experiences.

Originally built in 1924 by the Midland Railway Carriage & Wagon Company, Lydia was constructed for the prestigious Pullman Company, internationally renowned for operating luxury trains such as the Orient Express.

“Lydia embodies the golden age of luxury rail travel,” said a spokesperson for South Devon Railway. 

“With its art deco elegance and deep political and cultural resonance, the Pullman offers guests a journey into the heart of British history.”

The recommissioning of the carriage marks the culmination of years of careful restoration and research. 

Heritage staff say the project not only preserves a vital link to Britain’s past, but brings it vividly to life.

“Lydia will now form the centrepiece of a series of curated heritage experiences on the South Devon Railway, including private hires, corporate events, and scheduled fine dining journeys along the scenic line between Buckfastleigh and Totnes,” the railway confirmed.

The carriage’s return has been described by organisers as more than a restoration, calling it “the revival of a legacy that shaped the course of the 20th century.”

“As the world continues to reflect on the meaning of leadership, resilience, and international cooperation, this iconic carriage offers a unique and moving way to connect with the past,” a spokesperson said.

From this summer, visitors will be able to step aboard Lydia and relive a chapter of British history that once rolled through Europe during its darkest and most defining hours.