Evolution of the Pullman Car

Pullman Facts No. 2 told the history of the Pullman sleeping car, a story the company loved to repeat to show people how good they had it compared to previous generations. The booklet even admits that there were sleeping cars before Pullman, but says they were cramped, with three bunks instead of two, and were provided with no or limited bedding.


Click image to download a 2.0-MB PDF of this 12-page booklet.

From a nostalgic point of view, cruising across the country in a large seat during the day and a comfortable, roomy berth at night sounds appealing, especially when compared with the cramped seating offered by most airlines. But Pullman sleeping cars were always so expensive that they were used mainly by the elites, and while airline seats may be cramped, for a lot less money that the cost of a sleeping car, someone can get more room by flying first class or other premium classes.


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