Luxury train

File:Luxury on wheels.jpg timetable]]

George Pullman's first sleeping car, the Pioneer, was introduced in 1865 in the United States and was followed two years later by "hotel cars".[http://americanhistory.si.edu/archives/d8181.htm Railroad Collections] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100719122828/http://americanhistory.si.edu/archives/d8181.htm |date=19 July 2010 }} It was the first railway carriage with dining and sleeping areas.[http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/01026/main/special.htm Thinkquest Library] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731135829/http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/01026/main/special.htm |date=31 July 2012 }}, History of Luxury Trains

Georges Nagelmackers founded the French Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, creator of the Orient Express. Inspired by Pullman trains in the US, Nagelmackers returned to Europe and built a fleet of over 30 luxury trains that traveled to several European destinations.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} He is credited with beginning the age of luxury trains and grand hotels.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} The Orient Express, setting of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, was Europe's first luxury train. It began its maiden journey on 5 June 1883 from Paris' Gare de l'Est. Although the original Orient Express ceased operation in 2009, private operators and public–private joint ventures provide luxury train travel in several countries.{{Cite web |title=The Most Luxurious Train Rides in the World |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/bus-train/worlds-most-luxurious-trains |access-date=25 August 2022 |website=Travel + Leisure}}

File:SBB-CFF-FFS Ae 6-6.jpg-hauled Venice-Simplon Orient Express in Switzerland]]

File:67006 'Royal Sovereign' at Evesham.JPG, no. 67,006 Royal Sovereign hauling the Northern Belle]]

File:Eastern & Oriental Express passenger cars, Kuala Lumpur.jpg-bound Eastern and Oriental Express train at the Kuala Lumpur railway station in Malaysia]]

According to Belmond{{cite web|url=http://www.orient-express.com/collection/trains/trains.jsp|title=Orient-Express|access-date=2 April 2017}} (formerly known as Orient Express Hotels),{{Cite web|date=26 February 2014|title=The Curious Rebranding of Orient-Express Hotels Into the Belmond Brand|url=https://skift.com/2014/02/26/the-curious-rebranding-of-orient-express-hotels-into-the-belmond-brand/|access-date=11 January 2021|website=Skift}} the company operates the highest number of luxury train tours in the world. With service in Europe, Asia, and South America, Belmond is the only private luxury tour provider (with the exception of Russia's Golden Eagle Trans Siberian Express) to offer continental or intercontinental service.

The Venice-Simplon Orient Express, with service from London to Venice, was voted the top luxury train in the world in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.cntraveller.com/magazine/readers-travel-awards-2009/trains|title=Readers' Travel Awards 2009|access-date=2 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720180555/http://www.cntraveller.com/magazine/readers-travel-awards-2009/trains|archive-date=20 July 2013|url-status=dead}} The Royal Scotsman offers service across Scotland and, occasionally, the rest of Britain. The Belmond Grand Hibernian began operations in Ireland on 30 August 2016.{{cite web|title=Ireland's only luxury sleeper train derailed by Covid-19 |url=https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/travel-news/irelands-only-luxury-sleeper-train-derailed-by-covid-19/40111022.html |website=independent.ie |date=19 February 2021 |access-date=9 August 2024}}

The Eastern and Oriental Express runs from Bangkok to Singapore (via Kuala Lumpur) and to Vientiane. Covering over {{convert|2000|km}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my/intl_en/en/about/essentials_transportation.asp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120806005103/http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my/intl_en/en/about/essentials_transportation.asp|url-status=dead|title=Official Website of Tourism Malaysia – Experience the Best Time of Your...|date=6 August 2012|archive-date=6 August 2012|website=archive.is}} of peninsular Southeast Asia, its two-day journey includes frequent stops at scenic locations.{{cite web|url=http://www.orient-express.com/web/eoe/the_train.jsp|title=Orient-Express|access-date=2 April 2017}}

The Belmond Andean Explorer services the Peruvian cities of Arequipa to Cusco in vice versa{{Cite web|date=9 December 2019|title=Belmond Andean Explorer, Arequipa, Cusco, Peru {{!}} Out There magazine {{!}} Luxury and Experiential Travel Inspiration|url=https://www.outthere.travel/beyond-paddington-belmond-andean-explorer-peru/|access-date=11 January 2021|website=OutThere {{!}} Experiential Luxury Travel}} and the Belmond Hiram Bingham, named after the explorer who rediscovered the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu, runs from the Sacred Valley to the landmark.

Cross-border luxury trains in Europe include the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which runs between London and Venice.

File:Pullman 284 'Vera' at London Victoria.JPG, now part of the Venice-Simplon Orient Express fleet]]

British Pullman cars were formerly used on the Brighton Belle out of London Victoria station.{{cite web|url=http://www.orient-express.com/web/uktr/british_pullman_train.jsp|title=Orient-Express|access-date=2 April 2017}}

Northern Belle is a privately owned luxury train introduced in 2000. It consists primarily of British Rail Mark 2 coach stock, refurbished internally and painted externally to resemble the Brighton Belle{{'s}} British Pullman coaches. Buffet cars are British Rail Mark 1 coaches. Although the train primarily operates in Northern England and Scotland, it also serves London and Bristol. The train has two British Rail Mark 3 sleeper coaches for its crew.[http://www.rollingstock.fotopic.net/p45206824.html]{{dead link|date=March 2013}} It departs from a number of northern cities, including Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Manchester. The Northern Belle has six dining cars, named after historic British houses.{{cite web|url=http://www.orient-express.com/collection/trains/northern_belle.jsp|title=Orient-Express|access-date=2 April 2017}}

Spain's state-owned network of luxury trains is operated by Renfe Viajeros and runs from March to October on scheduled and charter trips. The main routes cross northern Spain and Andalusia, with special tours throughout the peninsula.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

The oldest tourist train in Spain (operating since 1983), the Transcantábrico, uses original 1923 Pullman coaches.[http://www.renfe.com/trenesturisticos/eng/index.html Luxury Tourist Trains], Official Website of Luxury Tourist Trains Spain{{dead link|date=August 2024}}

Between 1950 and 1969, Swedish State Railways operated the luxury train service Sunlit Nights Land Cruises, which ran from Stockholm to northern Sweden and primarily targeted foreign tourists.{{cite book |last=Bergsten |first=Jan |author-link= |date=2020 |title=Kryssningståg |language=sv |location=Stockholm |publisher=Trafik-Nostalgiska Förlaget |page=59, 72 |isbn=978-91-88605-63-4}}

The GoldenPass Express is a luxury train linking Montreux on Lake Geneva with the Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland.

The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express began operation in April 2007 and takes passengers on a {{convert|6000|mi|0|adj=on}} trip (the world's longest train journey){{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/999366/On-track-for-a-classic-train-journey.html|title=On track for a classic train journey|first=Anthony|last=Lambert|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=20 March 2018|date=28 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331202400/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/999366/On-track-for-a-classic-train-journey.html|archive-date=31 March 2008|url-status=live}} across two continents and eight time zones. It follows the Trans-Siberian Railway, which connects Moscow and European Russia with the Russian Far East, Mongolia, China, and the Sea of Japan.

File:Jasper.Rocky.Mountaineer.P1033590.jpg.]]

Rocky Mountaineer is a Canadian company that operates trains touring the Canadian Rockies and the northwestern U.S. Via Rail sold off its Rockies by Daylight scenic train to Rocky Mountaineer Vacations (which became Rocky Mountaineer) in 1990. The company operates four routes.{{cite web|url=http://www.rockymountaineer.com/en/experience/onboard_service/our-trains |title=Rocky Mountaineer |access-date=2 April 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006174100/http://www.rockymountaineer.com/en/experience/onboard_service/our-trains |archive-date=6 October 2011 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/journeysbyrail/7527639/Canadas-Rocky-Mountaineer-train-ride.html|title=Canada's Rocky Mountaineer train ride|first=Laurence|last=Marks|access-date=2 April 2017}}

File:The Royal CP.jpg in 2012]]

The Royal Canadian Pacific is a luxury overnight passenger train based in Calgary, Canada. The train has a royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth. It makes charter runs along CP tracks in summer and fall, taking passengers into the Rocky Mountains of Alberta and British Columbia. A typical six-day, five-night round trip runs through the Columbia River valley and Crowsnest Pass. The train halts at night to enable passengers to enjoy the scenery. It consists of up to ten luxury passenger cars (built between 1916 and 1931), two fully restored 1950s locomotives,{{cite web|url=http://www.royalcanadianpacific.com/heritage.html|title=A luxury rail tour with Royal Canadian Pacific brings the history of the railroad in Canada to life|access-date=2 April 2017}} and a booster unit.

Seven Stars in Kyushu{{cite web|url=http://www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315140709/http://cruisetrain-sevenstars.com/|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 March 2013|title=Cruise Train Seven Stars in Kyushu Japan's first cruise train, the luxurious "Seven Stars in Kyushu"|access-date=2 April 2017}} is a deluxe sleeping-car excursion train that has toured the island of Kyushu since October 2013. Its name derives from Kyushu's seven prefectures and the train's seven cars.{{cite web|url=http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/cruisetrain/about.html |title=Concept |work=Seven Stars in Kyushu |publisher=Kyushu Railway Company |location=Japan |date=2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531225657/http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/cruisetrain/about.html |archive-date=31 May 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=29 May 2012 }} The train has a piano, bar, suites, a mini-kitchen, a crew room, shower rooms, and toilets. It offers two- and four-day round trips, departing from Hakata Station. The two-day tour visits Nagasaki, Aso, and Yufuin, and the four-day journey visits Yufuin, Miyazaki, Miyakonojō, Hayato, Kagoshima-Chuo, Kagoshima, Aso, and Bungo-Mori.

{{main|Luxury rail in India}}

Luxury trains in India include the Palace on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, Golden Chariot, Maharajas' Express, and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels.{{cite web|date=5 September 2010 |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/Super-luxury-train-Royal-Rajasthan-on-Wheels-flagged-off-from-New-Delhi/articleshow/6505235.cms |title=Super luxury train 'Royal Rajasthan on Wheels' flagged off from New Delhi – Economic Times |publisher=Economictimes.indiatimes.com |access-date=26 March 2013}}

The Blue Train, covering about {{convert|1600|km}} between Pretoria and Cape Town, is South Africa's oldest and best-known luxury train service. Transnet Freight Rail runs the Blue Train, also between Pretoria and Cape Town. Rovos Rail operates the Pride of Africa service, which runs between South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania.

The Ghan, a luxury train, runs {{convert|2979|km|0|abbr=off}} through the heart of the Australian continent, from Darwin in the north to Adelaide in the south.{{cite web|url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/348189,paris-hilton-upset-at-japan-ban-special-way-traverse-australia.html|title=Earth Times: news/348189,paris-hilton-upset-at-japan-ban-special-way-traverse-australia.html|access-date=2 April 2017}} The Indian Pacific is a long-distance train connecting Sydney on the east coast, with Perth on the west coast.{{Cite web|url=http://www.greatsouthernrail.com.au/trains/the-indian-pacific/all-inclusive-journeys/sydney-to-perth|title=Sydney to Perth|website=www.greatsouthernrail.com.au|access-date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920121448/http://www.greatsouthernrail.com.au/trains/the-indian-pacific/all-inclusive-journeys/sydney-to-perth|archive-date=20 September 2017|url-status=dead}}

Mashifu77-7002 Dining space.jpg|alt=Wood-paneled dining car, with comfortable seating|Dining car on Seven Stars in Kyushu

Rovos Rail Deluxe Suite.jpg|alt=Bed, enclosed for privacy|Pride of Africa deluxe suite

The Blue Train.jpg|alt=See caption|Dining car on the Blue Train

NR45 + NR10 + Ghan Alice Springs, 2015 (02).JPG|alt=Train rounding a bend through scrubland|The Ghan approaching Alice Springs, 5 July 2015

• Heritage railway

{{Wikivoyage|tourist trains}}

{{clear}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}