Train of thought

For anyone about to catch a train to work in the morning, here's a little rail trivia. I'd heard of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but I'd never heard of a Railroad Hall of Fame. Maybe they're both for people who made great tracks.

But this Railroad Hall of Fame has a new member, in the form of George Pullman, who gave his name to comfortable train travel and phrases such as pullman lounges, pullman cases and pullman kitchens.

Pullman is credited with creating the first railway sleeper cars, which were known as "palace cars" because of their glamour and luxury. Passengers on the long journeys across the United States needed more comfort than a hard seat - and Pullman's sleepers from the 1860s held the promise of being hotels on wheels, with fine food and soft beds.