Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Difference between revisions
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The VSOE has separate carriages for use in the UK and for continental Europe, but all of the same vintage (mostly dating from the 1920s and 1930s). Passengers are conveyed across the English Channel by coach on the [[Eurotunnel]] shuttle through the [[Channel Tunnel]]. Whereas restored [[Pullman train (UK)|Pullman]] carriages are used in the UK, in continental Europe restored dark blue painted former [[Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits]] carriages are used. |
The VSOE has separate carriages for use in the UK and for continental Europe, but all of the same vintage (mostly dating from the 1920s and 1930s). Passengers are conveyed across the English Channel by coach on the [[Eurotunnel]] shuttle through the [[Channel Tunnel]]. Whereas restored [[Pullman train (UK)|Pullman]] carriages are used in the UK, in continental Europe restored dark blue painted former [[Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits]] carriages are used. |
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These VSOE services are not to be confused with a regular scheduled train called the Orient Express, which |
These VSOE services are not to be confused with a regular scheduled train called the Orient Express, which recently ran nightly between [[Strasbourg]] and [[Vienna]] until 14 December 2009. This latter is a normal EuroNight sleeper train and is the lineal descendant of the regular Orient Express daily departure from [[Paris]] to Vienna and the Balkans. Until 8 June 2007, this train originated in [[Paris]], but thereafter was curtailed at its western extremity to [[Strasbourg]] after a TGV line was opened between Paris and Strasbourg. While this descendant train is still primarily used for transportation to Vienna and costs only the standard train fare between the two cities, the VSOE train is rather aimed at tourists looking to take a luxury train ride. |
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==Other VSOE services== |
==Other VSOE services== |
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Revision as of 00:39, 27 August 2010
| File:VSOE.JPG | |
 | |
| Franchise(s) | Railtour Operator |
|---|---|
| Main service(s) | Venice Simplon-Orient-Express British Pullman Northern Belle Royal Scotsman Eastern & Oriental Express Perurail |
| Other service(s) | Orient-Express Hotels Afloat in France Road to Mandalay |
| Fleet | 17 rail carriages (restaurant, Pullman) |
| Parent company | Orient-Express Hotels Ltd |
| Other | |
| Website | www.vsoe.com |
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a private luxury train service that travels from London to Venice that is popularly referred to as the Orient Express.
The original company was founded by James Sherwood in 1982; five years earlier, in 1977, he purchased two of the original carriages at the auction when the Compagnie International des Wagons-Lits withdrew from the Orient Express service, passing on the service to the national railways of France, Germany, and Austria. Over the next few years, he spent a total of $16 million purchasing 35 sleeper, restaurant and Pullman carriages. On 25 May 1982, the first London-Venice run was made.
It is currently owned by Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.
Orient Express today
VSOE runs services today to eight major destinations in Europe between March and November:
The VSOE has separate carriages for use in the UK and for continental Europe, but all of the same vintage (mostly dating from the 1920s and 1930s). Passengers are conveyed across the English Channel by coach on the Eurotunnel shuttle through the Channel Tunnel. Whereas restored Pullman carriages are used in the UK, in continental Europe restored dark blue painted former Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits carriages are used.
These VSOE services are not to be confused with a regular scheduled train called the Orient Express, which recently ran nightly between Strasbourg and Vienna until 14 December 2009. This latter is a normal EuroNight sleeper train and is the lineal descendant of the regular Orient Express daily departure from Paris to Vienna and the Balkans. Until 8 June 2007, this train originated in Paris, but thereafter was curtailed at its western extremity to Strasbourg after a TGV line was opened between Paris and Strasbourg. While this descendant train is still primarily used for transportation to Vienna and costs only the standard train fare between the two cities, the VSOE train is rather aimed at tourists looking to take a luxury train ride.
Other VSOE services
There are also services run to supplementary destinations. Trading on the traditions of the name, fares on the Orient Express are high: the service is not intended as an ordinary rail service, but as a leisure event. The company also operates services in South-East Asia (the Eastern and Oriental Express) and Peru (PeruRail). Between 1998 and 2003 they also ran a service on the East Coast of Australia named the Great South Pacific Express.
Orient Express in Britain
VSOE operates two services within Great Britain separate from its main continental services as an "open access" operator. The British Pullman (which also runs the London-Folkestone leg of the Orient Express) consists mainly of former Brighton Belle Pullman coaches. It operates services mainly in the South of England and the Midlands, with York as its most northerly terminus. Usually operating from Victoria Station in London, specials are often run from London to Southampton to meet cruise ships. On 9 October 2007, the Westfield Group rented the whole train to open its new mall in Derby, departing from the former LNER London Kings Cross station.
The Northern Belle is a more extensive service operating throughout the country, as far north as Inverness and south to Plymouth. It is composed of more modern British Rail Mark 2 coaches, with British Rail Mark 1 kitchen cars, liveried and named to resemble the older Pullman coaches. Both services have their own dedicated sets of carriages, and are hauled by EWS locomotives - the trains have often been hauled by a Class 67 locomotive. Selected services are also hauled by preserved steam locomotives.
The British Pullman
Audrey - First class kitchen car, 20 seats, built 1932 by Metropolitan Cammell Carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd. for the Brighton Belle. Damaged 1940 by air raid at Victoria Station, repaired and rejoined Brighton Belle in 1947. Carried the Queen, the Queen Mother and H.R.H. Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh to review the Fleet in 1953. Transported the Queen on her visit to Sussex University 1964. Acquired from D.S. Lowther 1980. Decoration – marquetry landscape panels and Art Deco strips lights.
Cygnus - First class parlour car, 26 seats, construction commenced 1938 but completion deferred until 1951 due to war. Builders were Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Co. Used in the special Festival of Britain rake in 1951; reserved for use by Royalty and visiting Heads of State; made last journey of golden Arrow 1972. Acquired from North Yorkshire Moors Railway 1977. Decoration - Australian walnut panels, mirrors and old prints.
Gwen - First class kitchen car, 20 seats, built 1932 by Metropolitan Cammell Carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd for the Brighton Belle. In 1948 was used, with sister car Mona, to convey H.M. Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) to Brighton. Brighton Belle service withdrawn in 1972. Preserved as a restaurant at The Horseless Carriage, Chingford, Essex, and later at the Colne Valley Railway, Castle Hedingham, Essex. Acquired by VSOE in 1988 and joined British Pullman Train in 1999. Decoration - Pearwood shell motif on English Walnut.
Ibis - First class kitchen car, 20 seats, built 1925 by Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. Sold to La Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits et des Grands Express Européen for service in Italy. Purchased by the Pullman Car Company Ltd. in 1928 and returned to Britain for Golden Arrow service. Entered Cunard boat train service between Victoria and Southampton 1952. Retired 1968. Acquired from the Birmingham Railway Museum 1981. Decoration – Greek dancing girls marquetry.
Ione - First class kitchen car, 20 seats, built 1928 by Metropolitan Cammell Carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd. for the Queen of Scots Pullman. Ocean Liner services to Plymouth or Southampton and Bournemouth Belle 1929-1939. Queen of Scots 1948-1954, 1960-1964. Golden Arrow, Yorkshire and South Wales Pullman 1954-1960. On the high speed Talisman route (880 miles per day) 1964-1968. Retired 1968. Acquired from the Birmingham Railway Museum 1981. Decoration -–burr wood panels and Victorian frieze.
Lucille - First class parlour car, 24 seats, built 1928 by Metropolitan Cammell Carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd for the Queen of Scots Pullman of the London and North Eastern Railway. Transferred to Southern Region in 1963 and ran in Bournemouth Belle 1963-1967. Preserved by Mr E. Lewis-Evans at the South Eastern Steam Centre, Ashford 1968-1984. Acquired in 1985. Decoration – Grecian urn design on green dyed holly wood.
Minerva - First class parlour car, 26 seats, built 1927 by Midland Railway Carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd. Devon Belle 1947-1951. Used in the special Festival of Britain rake 1951. Golden Arrow 1951-1961. Acquired from Lytham Creek Railway Museum 1981. Decoration – Edwardian-type marquetry.
Perseus - First class parlour car, 26 seats, construction commenced 1938 but completion deferred until 1951 due to war. Builders were Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Co. Used in the special Festival of Britain rake State; used in Winston Churchill’s funeral train 1965; made last journey of Golden Arrow 1972. Acquired from North Yorkshire Moors Railway 1977. Decoration – ash panels and old prints.
Phoenix - First class parlour car, 26 seats, built 1927 by Metropolitan Cammell Carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd. Named Rainbow. Burned Micheldever, England 1936. Rebuilt 1952 by Preston Park Works, Brighton, and appropriately renamed Phoenix. Favourite carriage of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother: used by General de Gaulle and visiting Heads of State; made last journey of Golden Arrow 1972. Became stationary restaurant in Lyon, France 1973. Acquired 1980. Decoration – oval frames of marquetry flowers on American cherry wood.
Vera - First class kitchen car, 20 seats, built 1932 by Metropolitan Cammell Carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd for the Brighton Belle. Always paired with Audrey as a two car unit. Directly hit in an air raid at Victoria Station in 1940. Roof extensively repaired, rejoined Brighton Belle in 1947. Used by Royalty to review the Fleet in 1953 and for Prince Charles’ and Princess Anne’s first trip on an electric train in 1954. Brighton Belle service withdrawn in 1972. Preserved as a garden house in Suffolk. Acquired in 1985 and joined the British Pullman train in 1990. Decoration – marquetry antelope leaping between palm trees.
Zena - First class parlour car, 24 seats, built 1928 by Metropolitan Cammell Carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd. Bournemouth Belle 1929-1946. Queen of Scots and Yorkshire Pullman 1946-1955. Golden Arrow 195-1960. Queen of Scots 1960-1961. Tees-Tyne Pullman 1961-1965. Used in film “Agatha” about Agatha Christie 1976. Acquired from T. Robinson 1979. Decoration – Art Deco marquetry.
Routes
London-Paris-Rome
- London Victoria
- Folkestone West
- Channel tunnel
- Calais-Ville
- Paris Gare de l'Est
- Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof
- Venice Santa Lucia
- Florence Santa Maria Novella
- Rome Ostiense
Media coverage
- British travel journalist Alan Whicker joined the inaugural service in 1982, interviewing invited guests and celebrities along the way for his Whicker's World TV series. [1]
- Actor David Suchet hosts the Masterpiece Mystery episode "David Suchet on the Orient Express" about a real trip on this train[2] which originally aired July 7, 2010
References
- ^ "BFI: Whicker's World - Aboard The Orient Express". 1988-09-26. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
- ^ "David Suchet on the Orient Express" (Web, Video). New York, New York: PBS. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
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