Orient Express

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The history of the Orient-Express is both legendary and colourful.

The carriages which today form the famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express each have a history of their own, with long years of service criss-crossing the frontiers of Europe, operating for a variety of railway companies.
The history of 'luxury' train travel can be traced back to 1864 when the innovative railway builder, George Mortimer Pullman, created a train in Britain, featuring the ultimate in nineteenth century technology and opulence and was far more advanced than anything that existed in Europe.

In the 1870's the first sleeping carriages and parlour cars in Britain went into service and for the first time meals were served on board a train. The first all Pullman train in Europe, the Pullman Limited Express, began operating in 1881.
It ran from London to Brighton and was the first train to be illuminated by electricity. Shortly afterwards, by connecting trains to ferries, George Mortimer Pullman made safe and comfortable train travel between London and Paris a reality.

Georges Nagelmackers, a young Belgian railway enthusiast, also began building luxury railway carriages and gradually proceeded to do for continental train travel what Pullman had for Britain. In 1881 after experimenting with several demands, Nagelmackers introduced the first restaurant car aboard a continental train.
With sleeping carriages and restaurant cars in place, Nagelmackers was finally able to fulfil his dream and on 4th October 1883 the first Orient-Express train service was inaugurated. The initial route ran from Paris to Giurgi (on the Danube in Romania), via Strasbourg, Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest.

By the turn of the century, the great age of rail travel was in full swing. The Simplon Tunnel - at 12½ miles, the world's longest - was built in 1906, cutting the trip from Paris to Venice significantly, and by 1921 the Orient-Express was running an extended Simplon-Orient-Express route to Istanbul.
The 1920s and 1930s were the heyday of the legendary train - elaborate meals, decadent company and fine wines characterised this era of rail travel. Royalty, celebrities, courtesans and spies intermingled as they travelled in opulence throughout Europe - small wonder that this provided the perfect setting for Agatha Christie's most famous work, Murder on the Orient-Express.

The Second World War put paid to all of this. Ferry services were cancelled and cross-frontier travel became impossible. In the depression that followed, economy not premier carriages were added to the rakes. Air travel was faster and cheaper and although the Orient-Express continued to operate until May 1977, its final run consisted of just one shabby sleeping compartment and three day cars.
The fabled train was however saved by entrepreneur and rail enthusiast, James B. Sherwood. In 1977 he bought two of the trains carriages at a Sotheby's auction in Monte Carlo.
The next few years and US$16 million were spent locating, purchasing and restoring some 35 vintage sleepers, Pullmans and restaurant cars.
On 25th May 1982 the legend was reborn when the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express made its maiden run from London to Venice.

Today, the gleaming carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express continue to transport passengers across Europe in exquisite surroundings on one of the most romantic journeys in the world. The world of the Orient-Express is now truly international and passengers can enjoy a similar experience on board the Eastern & Oriental Express in South East Asia and the Road To Mandalay in Myanmar (ancient Burma).