Comments on: A Pullman Blanket Tells a Story

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Tue, 05 May 2026 13:24:59 +0000

In reply to Carolyn Malk. Thank you for reading.

By: Carolyn Malk

Carolyn Malk — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:07:03 +0000

Old Pullman blanket.
Only indication is the name.
Tears. Fixing w/self wool threads.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:22:53 +0000

I have two Pullman Blankets that I would like to sell, one has the number 19 on it and the other has S-17. I do not know a lot about them except the story they were dyed. I also have a glass panel stating Restrooms, with the arrow white, colored, AT & SF. If anyone is interested they can write to me on here. Thank you Kathy

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:46:06 +0000

In reply to Linda Curcio. I just tried AI and got additonal information. Pullman began numbering their blankets in 1907 so they would know the age of the blankets... They changed the numbers approximately once a year, so the #4 might indicate that it dates from 1910 or 1911.

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:39:58 +0000

In reply to Linda Curcio. That's a great question. I just did a quick search and do not see anything. But I'll keep watching, and in the meantime, perhaps someone will have an answer.

By: Linda Curcio

Linda Curcio — Sun, 06 Apr 2025 13:10:37 +0000

I just bought a Pullman 4 at a train show, does anyone know what year it was from this in perfect condition
?

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 17:09:55 +0000

In reply to Dave B. Thank you so much! One or two people have questioned this article, so I am thrilled to hear from you and to have you verify it. Many thanks! Enjoy Thanksgiving!

By: Dave B

Dave B — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 02:46:17 +0000

The story about blue-dyed Pullman blankets is absolutely true. I collect Pullman blankets and have 2 Blue ones – they are vrey hard to find.
For those interested – here is some additional info:
Date Key: Old/Hatch Pattern> add # to 1906; New/Cedar> add # to 1935
Old Pattern ran from 1907 thru 1935 (#’s 1-29) unclear if any produced in early 1936
New Pattern ran from 1936 to ???
Old Pattern “Property Of” started in 1927 (#21) – “Property Of” added to deter theft
Old Pattern “S” designates Private Car Service
Old Pattern “O” – unknown designator
Old Pattern Blue – RARE designates only to be used by blacks/porters not for passengers
New/Cedar “RFC” designates Reconstruction Finance Corp
New/Cedar “D” designates Defense Plant Corp
“TOURIST” tag: indicates a blanket that was typically a bit worn and was therefore only to be used in Pullman’s economy tourist berth cars.

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 17:22:17 +0000

In reply to Steve Culbert. Thank you for posting this. I picked up this information at a lecture by a railroad historian about 15 years ago. He even displayed a blanket. It could be folklore, and I should look into it. Thank you!

By: Steve Culbert

Steve Culbert — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 07:10:30 +0000

The blue blankets were used by porters and kept separate from passengers’ courtesy blankets because the blankets were often stolen by passengers. The porters knew their company blankets by color, blue, eand so collected them where seen and kept for porters’ personal use. . . In used to take the train from Birmingham AL to central Wisconsin and really loved those blankets. I do not believe the blankets were dyed blue just so only black porters would use them.