Discover The Story Of The Mythical Orient Express

The Orient Express has a long-haul chronicle. This iconic rail itinerary is not only recognized for the luxurious service it offered and its long-distance trips. It has also served to give rise to legends or to be the literary protagonist in famous novels.

His long career is well worth a stop to learn about his history in depth. Join us and discover its secrets, its illustrious passengers and its key moments.

The birth of the Orient Express

In 1872, Georges Nagelmackers, the son of a Belgian banker, created the first French train company to incorporate a sleeping car and a dining car. It was this visionary who started the train known as the Express d’Orient in 1883. The idea was to offer travelers the possibility of getting from Paris to Constantinople (present-day Istanbul).

Thus, on October 4, 1883, the railway made its first journey. It started from the Gare de l’Est in the French capital. At first, several transfers had to be made to reach the final destination.

It will not be until six years later when the rail line will be completed. In this way, it was possible to complete the entire journey with a single train. In 1891 the name of the company was changed to Orient Express.

First interruption and golden age

With the start of the First World War, the route was suspended. Services were resumed in 1918 and the following year the Simplon Tunnel was inaugurated. With the arrival of this tunnel, a new journey is created that passes through Milan, Venice and Trieste to avoid crossing Germany.

The Simplon Orient Express will become the highlight itinerary, linking Paris and Istanbul. The 1930s will be the height of the company, which will have three different routes:

• The first Orient Express, which maintained the original route.
• The Simplon Orient Express, which was making the journey through the south.
• The Arberg Orient Express, which passed through Zurich and reached Bucharest or Athens.

At the moment, London already receives the services of the railroad. In this way, it was possible to depart from Victoria Station to catch a ferry from Dover to Calais. From there, travelers reached the Gare de Lyon, where the Simplon route began.

The Orient Express: a train fit for royalty

With this long journey and its increasing fame, the luxury that the Orient Express offered its occupants reached new heights. The comfort available to their clients with sleeping cars was beyond doubt. First-class services made royalty, nobles, and high diplomats its main users.

Likewise, the best and most reputable chefs were hired to work in the train restaurant. The sophisticated menu included oysters and elaborate French recipes. The mahogany furniture, the gold tableware, the silk sheets or the marble bathrooms, everything was carefully selected from the most exquisite designs.

Unfortunately, and as had happened a few decades before, with the onset of World War II, services were once again on hold. And so they remained until the end of the contest.

The last years of the Orient Express

In 1945 the routes were resumed again, but not without obstacles. In fact, several borders were closed and this made it impossible to reach Istanbul. Due to the Iron Curtain, many countries will begin to implement their own wagons.

In the 1960s the only active service, the Simplon, was replaced by another route that was slower. The routes are decreasing until in 1977, on May 19, the last route between Paris and Istanbul is made. In spite of everything, the Orient Express continues in operation with parts of the original route, traveling between Paris and Budapest.

With the arrival of the high-speed train, destinations are becoming too limited and prices are becoming less and less affordable. The mythical railway will make its last trip between Paris and Vienna on December 10, 2009.

Before, in 1982, the Venice Simpson-Orient-Express service was inaugurated and some of the company’s original wagons were acquired. This will begin to offer luxury routes between London and Venice that are not suitable for all budgets. It is the only opportunity left today to feel like an illustrious passenger on the Orient Express.

Scenario of great historical events

Despite everything, the fame and legend surrounding the Orient Express is more than deserved. Its luxurious wagons, designed by René Lalique, have experienced unique moments. Some of them have gone down in history.

The original route went through places as dangerous then as the Balkans. In fact, the Orient Express suffered several assaults. Passengers were even advised to carry weapons and show them out the window at certain times. In addition, there were blockades due to snow or quarantines due to outbreaks of cholera.

However, many of the Orient Express carriages also witnessed important milestones. One of his cars, the Foch, was chosen to sign the German surrender after arduous negotiation to end the First World War.

Another of his famous cars, the Persus, served as a hearse after the death of Winston Churchill in 1965. The Orient Express has been the scene of books, movies and advertisements. 

Ágatha Christie immortalized her legend forever in  Murder on the Orient Express . Other writers such as Graham Greene or Bram Stoker were inspired by this train for their novels. Similarly, filmmakers like Sidney Lumet would recreate his luxury on the big screen.

Not only that. Princes, spies, billionaires and personalities of all kinds made history aboard the most distinguished railway of the entire 20th century, the mythical Orient Express.