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  4. I boarded the sister train of the Orient Express in London for a quick tour. I liked it so much I didn't want to get off.

I boarded the sister train of the Orient Express in London for a quick tour. I liked it so much I didn't want to get off.

I boarded the sister train of the Orient Express in London for a quick tour. I liked it so much I didn't want to get off.
The carriages all had places set for the customers about to board.Abby Wallace/Insider.
  • The British Pullman train is the sister train of the Venice-Simplon Orient Express.
  • I toured the train while it was waiting at Victoria Station in London to depart.

The British Pullman train runs around three times a week from Victoria Station in London. I jumped on board before the train left the station to take a look.

The British Pullman train runs around three times a week from Victoria Station in London. I jumped on board before the train left the station to take a look.
The British Pullman train.      Abby Wallace/Insider.

The train is the sister train of the Venice-Simplon Orient Express. Both trains were refurbished and relaunched by the same founder, James Sherwood, in 1982.

The train is the sister train of the Venice-Simplon Orient Express. Both trains were refurbished and relaunched by the same founder, James Sherwood, in 1982.
The outside of the one of the British Pullman carriages      Abby Wallace/Insider

The British Pullman lounge is located on platform two of London's Victoria Station ...

The British Pullman lounge is located on platform two of London
Signs pointing towards the British Pullman train at Victoria Station, London.      Abby Wallace/Insider

... Guests can wait inside the lounge to board the train.

... Guests can wait inside the lounge to board the train.
The British Pullman lounge.      Abby Wallace/Insider

The train is made up of ten art deco guest carriages. Each of the carriages were restored from different years and has a design unique to them.

The train is made up of ten art deco guest carriages. Each of the carriages were restored from different years and has a design unique to them.
The carriages all had places set for the customers about to board.      Abby Wallace/Insider.

The cars are all named after Greek and Roman legends — including Minerva, Cygnus, and Zena — while others have traditional women's names from their era, including Lucille and Audrey, according to British Pullman's general manager, Craig Moffat.

The cars are all named after Greek and Roman legends — including Minerva, Cygnus, and Zena — while others have traditional women
The Ibis carriage.      Abby Wallace/Insider

The train has also hosted some famous guests. Craig told Insider that Nelson Mandela once traveled in the Vera car because the interiors featured a springbok design.

The train has also hosted some famous guests. Craig told Insider that Nelson Mandela once traveled in the Vera car because the interiors featured a springbok design.
Nelson Mandela once traveled in the Vera car.      Abby Wallace/Insider

When I boarded, the places were set for customers waiting to travel on the train.

When I boarded, the places were set for customers waiting to travel on the train.
Inside the first carriage I toured.      Abby Wallace/Insider

People on board were treated to a champagne brunch on the way out...

People on board were treated to a champagne brunch on the way out...
The brunch menu on the British Pullman train.      Abby Wallace/Insider

...and a four-course dinner on the way home.

...and a four-course dinner on the way home.
The dinner menu on the British Pullman train.      Abby Wallace/Insider

The day I boarded the train, it was heading for Bath, England. The journey through the British countryside would take around three hours, Craig told Insider.

The day I boarded the train, it was heading for Bath, England. The journey through the British countryside would take around three hours, Craig told Insider.
The carriages had places set for customers ready to board.      Abby Wallace/Insider

Craig told Insider the train had no wifi — and British Pullman had no plans to install wifi — so people can switch off completely.

Craig told Insider the train had no wifi — and British Pullman had no plans to install wifi — so people can switch off completely.
The Ibis carriage.      Abby Wallace/Insider

Each car can accommodate between 19 and 25 guests. The train can hold up to 223 people in total.

Each car can accommodate between 19 and 25 guests. The train can hold up to 223 people in total.
Inside the British Pullman train.      Abby Wallace/Insider

Craig told Insider that the train usually welcomes a range of guests on board. "On one recent lunch journey we had different parties of guests celebrating a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, and 70th, along with an amazing former Spitfire pilot from World War II who was celebrating his 101st," he said.

Craig told Insider that the train usually welcomes a range of guests on board. "On one recent lunch journey we had different parties of guests celebrating a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, and 70th, along with an amazing former Spitfire pilot from World War II who was celebrating his 101st," he said.
Inside the Phoenix carriage.      Abby Wallace/Insider

Car Ibis is the oldest, dating back to 1925 ...

Car Ibis is the oldest, dating back to 1925 ...
The Ibis carriage is the oldest.      Abby Wallace/Insider

... While car Cygnus is the newest, dating back to 1952. The car was designed by film-maker, Wes Anderson, Craig told Insider.

... While car Cygnus is the newest, dating back to 1952. The car was designed by film-maker, Wes Anderson, Craig told Insider.
Car Cygnus was designed by Wes Anderson.      Abby Wallace/Insider.

One carriage was salvaged from an old Pullman vehicle, which suffered extensive fire damage in 1936. The carriage was restored 16 years later and named "Phoenix" as a nod to its past.

One carriage was salvaged from an old Pullman vehicle, which suffered extensive fire damage in 1936. The carriage was restored 16 years later and named "Phoenix" as a nod to its past.
The Phoenix carriage.      Abby Wallace/Insider

A ticket on board is priced from £350, or around $458, depending on the trip, Craig told Insider

A ticket on board is priced from £350, or around $458, depending on the trip, Craig told Insider
Inside the British Pullman train      Abby Wallace/Insider

The train also runs to historical sites including Downton Abbey's filming location, Highclere Castle, and Chatsworth House — where the 2005 adaption of Pride and Prejudice was filmed — which Craig said is more popular with mature customers.

The train also runs to historical sites including Downton Abbey
Inside the British Pullman train.      Abby Wallace/Insider

A ticket for a murder mystery lunch costs around £435, or around $569, according to the company website. Craig said this tour was more popular with younger guests.

A ticket for a murder mystery lunch costs around £435, or around $569, according to the company website. Craig said this tour was more popular with younger guests.
The dining tables on the British Pullman train.      Abby Wallace/Insider

The train runs between March and December. Craig said the train is busy all year round. He added that interest had gone up since travel had got back underway.

The train runs between March and December. Craig said the train is busy all year round. He added that interest had gone up since travel had got back underway.
The Ibis carriage.      Abby Wallace/Insider

"I think that a lot of folks who may have been waiting to enjoy that special experience, whatever it may be, have now realised that time is precious and fleeting and that we really do not know what may be around the corner," he said.

"I think that a lot of folks who may have been waiting to enjoy that special experience, whatever it may be, have now realised that time is precious and fleeting and that we really do not know what may be around the corner," he said.
The British Pullman train at Victoria Station, London.      Abby Wallace/Insider

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