Pullman Passenger
The Making Of A Legend The Venice Simplonorientexpress
The carriages which now make up the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express have an interesting history. They have crossed Europe, operated by a number of different railway companies, each having developed it's own special character and creating its own history along the way.
The age of luxury train travel can be traced back to 1864, when George Mortimer Pullman, a creative railway builder, built a train in Britain using the latest technology of the era and offered luxury far superior to anything else available in Europe at that time.
At about the same time in Europe, George Nagelmackers began building luxury train carriages and proceeded to do for continental trains what George Pullman had done for trains in Britain. In the 1880's he introduced the first dining car aboard a continental train and later added sleeping cars. On 4th October1883, the first Orient-Express train operated from Paris via Strasbourg, Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest to Giugi in Romania.
By 1900 the age of rail travel in Europe was in full swing and in 1906 the Simplon Tunnel was completed, joining Switzerland to Italy through the Alps. It was the longest tunnel in the world and significantly cut the journey time from Paris to Venice and by 1921 the Orient-Express was running an extended Simplon-Orient-Express trip to Istanbul.
The 1920s and 30s were the pinnacle of the Orient-Express services with Royalty and celebrities enjoying elaborate meals and fine wines in decadent company intermingled with spies and courtesans.
The Second World War put end to this magnificent era and in the depression that followed, the demand for these luxury carriages dwindled. Air travel, which was faster and cheaper dealt another blow to the Orient-Express, which managed to keep operating until May 1977, its final journey.
The train was however given a ‘rebirth' by rail enthusiast, James B Sherwood who bought two of the carriages at auction in Monte Carlo and spent the following few years and sixteen million dollars locating, buying and restoring 35 vintage sleeping cars, Pullmans and dining cars. 1982 saw the maiden run of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from London to Venice and today it continues to transport passengers in luxury across Europe on one of the most romantic journeys possible.
As you board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express today, you step back into an era of luxury and refined service as you are shown to your cabin of polished brass, gleaming wood, crisp linen and soft towels. Your compartment is a restful retreat with views of an ever-changing landscape. Passengers are looked after by cabin Stewards during their journey providing attentive but discreet service.
Although the cabins are fitted to the highest standard, it must be remembered that these carriages were originally built at a time when sleeping on board a train was a luxury in itself, and private facilities that we expect today were unheard of. Each cabin has a compact wash-basin, there is a shared w.c. at the end of each carriage, but there are no baths or showers on board.
Dining on board compares to the finest restaurants with all meals prepared on board by expert chefs, using only the finest, fresh ingredients, which are taken on board along the train's journey.
Breakfast and afternoon tea are served in your cabin. Brunch, lunch and dinner are served by Italian waiters in one of the three Dining Cars.
Today the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express makes regular journeys between London, Paris and Venice between March and November. It makes an annual trip from Paris to Istanbul, travelling via Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest and Varna and returning back to Venice. During the year it also makes occasional journeys to Rome, Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Krakow.
With an overnight journey to Venice starting at £1,595 per person (2010) the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is not going to be a trip for everyone's budget, but for those that can afford it, or save for the trip of a lifetime, this certainly is an experience that will live in your memories for ever!
About the Author
Jeff Paulett is a partner of Luxury Trains. Visit their site if you would like to find out
more aboutOrient Express trains or luxury train journeys in general.
Pullman Passenger
 |
 Lionel 19060 Pullman Heavyweight 4 Pk Passenger Cars  US $474.95
|
 Lionel 15517 2pac SR Pullman HeavyWeight wInteriors Passengers BuyItNowFreeUPS US $359.99
|
 Lionel 6 19060 NYC Pullman Heavyweight 4 Car Passenger Set NEW IN shipping box US $359.00
|
 brass Sunset heavyweight Pullman passenger car 2 rail lighted with people lit US $325.00
|
 Lionel Pre War Set of Blue Silver Passenger Cars Pullman Observation 2631 2630 US $162.74
|
 New Lionel 6 30111 Pullman Passenger Expansion pack US $140.00
|
 Pullman Passenger Expansion Pack US $137.99
|
 NEW Lionel Pullman Passenger Expansion Pack 6 30111 NIB US $137.99
|
 LIONEL 6 30111 PULLMAN PASSENGER EXPANSION PACK NEW IN THE BOX US $137.99
|
 LIONEL PULLMAN PASSENGER CAR EXPANSION PACK 6 30111 NIB US $137.99
|
 Lionel O 27 Pullman Passenger Expansion Pack LNL630111 US $137.99
|
 Lionel 6 30111 Pullman Passenger Expansion Pack US $135.99
|
 LIONEL PREWAR 603 RED COMET PULLMAN COACH PASSENGER CAR EXC US $125.00
|
 2 LIONEL PREWAR 603 RED COMET PULLMAN COACH PASSENGER CARS US $125.00
|
 Lionel 6 30111 PULLMAN PASSENGER EXPANSION PACK US $124.99
|
 Williams by Bachmann O Scale Train Passenger Car Set Pullman 43471 US $121.78
|
 Lionel Lionel Pullman Passenger Expansion Pack US $121.43
|
 K Line Trains 6 22533 Great Northern 21 Aluminum Pullman Passenger Car 1377 US $104.95
|
 3 Vintage PULLMAN Passenger Cars one is a Observation Car 607607608 Green US $100.00
|
 Lionel new 6 19058 Pullman Heavyweight Passenger car US $100.00
|
 LIONEL PULLMAN HEAVYWEIGHT Willow Passenger Car 6 19058 US $89.99
|
 LIONEL IRVINGTON 2625 AND MANHATTAN 2628 PULLMAN PASSENGER CARS US $82.00
|
 K Line O Train Pennsylvania RR Brunswick Ltd Emerald Lodge Pullman Passenger Car US $75.00
|
 PULLMAN PASSENGER CAR No 6442 US $99.99
|
 Lionel Pullman Heavyweight Passenger Car Niagara Falls Sleeper US $69.95
|
 K LINE RINGLING BROS BARNUM BAILEY PULLMAN 6 21231 lionel passenger circus 21232 US $61.60
|
CREATE ME A WORD PUZZLE AND WIN TEN POINTS ASaP?
with these words
Railroads
GeorgePullman
Chicago
Pullman Car
passenger
Oil Well
Porters
Pullman Peabody
Hyde Park
Porters
SleepingCars
Hotel Florence
elastomer
Kellogg
freight car
PullmanStrike
TrinityIndustry
Halliburton
AfricanAmerican
A.PhilipRandolh
Here's a site where you can create your own crossword puzzle..
http://www.crosswordpuzzlegames.com/create.html