In the collective imagination, the Orient Express evokes adventure, luxury, and tales of spies and diplomats traveling across Europe. Behind this legendary train, which has inspired literature and cinema—from Agatha Christie’s *Murder on the Orient Express* to *From Russia with Love*, the second James Bond film—there is above all 140 Years of Railroad History.
For our podcast Want a hit? in partnership with SNCF Connect, we received Arthur Mettetal, railway historian and specialist in railway and industrial heritage. He specializes in managing archival collections and corporate archives, and he is also the executive director of the Orient Express Endowment Fund. He has also just published a book, Orient Express: A History and Corporate Heritage (19th–21st Centuries), published by Classiques Garnier.
In an interview with Lisa, he looks back on The Fascinating Legacy of the Orient Express for the technological, economic, and cultural development of the railway industry. All aboard for a journey through time…
Who created the Orient Express? Belgian industrialist Georges Nagelmackers, who founded the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits in 1876.
When did the first trip take place? October 4, 1883, between Paris and Constantinople (Istanbul).
Why the name "Orient Express"? The train connected Western Europe to the "gateways to the East" via Constantinople.
When did it stop running? The historic Paris-Istanbul service ended in 1977; the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express took over in 1982.
The history of the Orient Express began with a young Belgian engineer's trip to the United States. In 1869, Georges Nagelmackers Discover the revolutionary concept of the sleeper car, invented by George Pullman. As Arthur Mettetal explains: "At that time, young men from good families were sent to the United States to observe and bring back innovative ideas to Europe." This phenomenon, known as "Americanism," would transform the European railroad landscape.
Upon his return to Europe, Nagelmackers set out to adapt this model to the continent, with the goal of incorporating European luxury standards. In 1876, he founded the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, thus laying the groundwork for what would become the Orient Express. The October 4, 1883 marks the maiden voyage connecting From Paris to Constantinople, a date that will go down in railway history.
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What made luxury rail travel so unique at the time? : “Wood paneling, marquetry, leather, and beds where you slept just as well as in a Parisian hotel...,”
Dining cars embodied French culinary excellence :
"Tableware was everywhere, featuring Christofle silverware and elaborate menus designed to rival the finest restaurants in Paris." - Arthur Mettetal
As for the service, it was just as remarkable: "The drivers, who were not the engineers, were responsible for the passengers' well-being. They handled everything from luggage to safety, including even the most specific requests."," Arthur explains. We'll let you imagine what that was like!
"Through this train, the Compagnie des Wagons-Lits offered a unique opportunity to experience Orientalism, a major artistic and cultural movement of the time ", explains Arthur Mettetal.
Very quickly, the train became a bridge between different cultures and attracted a diverse clientele: from aristocrats to diplomats to tourists seeking adventure. At that time, Constantinople was much more than just a destination: "We have to keep in mind that this is only the gateway to the East. “Once you’re in Constantinople or Istanbul, you’re at the start of a new journey even further east and into the Middle East.”
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The historic architecture of Sirkeci Station, the terminus of the Orient Express in Istanbul (Turkey)
In 1930, with the launch of the Taurus Express, it even became possible to travel from London to Paris to Cairo and Baghdad in 7 to 8 days—a remarkable feat for that time!
From a diplomatic standpoint, the launch of the Orient Express was also a remarkable achievement. Indeed, Nagelmackers’s feat lay in his ability to bring together various stakeholders around a common project within a complex European context. "A true entrepreneurial feat for its time!"
"Not only were there empires and states that weren't necessarily on very good terms—notably Prussia and France after the 1870 war—but also, before 1938 and the creation of the SNCF, each territory was divided into several railway networks."," explains the historian. In France, The network was, in fact, fragmented (between the Compagnie du Nord, the Compagnie de l'Est, the Compagnie du Midi, and the Compagnie Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée).
"What's interesting is Georges Nagelmackers' ability to convince the highly fragmented European rail networks to collaborate." At that time, traveling through several countries on a single train was a true technical and diplomatic feat. "
Article
Orient Express from Paris: Prices, Schedules, and Practical Information
One of the major innovations introduced by the Compagnie des Wagons-Lits was the introduction of the bogie on the European continent. This system, consisting of a frame supporting the car body, made it possible to take sharper turns while significantly improving passenger comfort through better shock absorption. This technical innovation, which was quickly adopted by other European rail companies, perfectly illustrates the Orient Express’s pioneering role in the the spread of technological advances across the continent.
Beyond its technical innovations, the Orient Express played a crucial role in the modernization of European rail transport. The need to operate luxury cars on different networks has led to a unprecedented technical standardization. "It's truly an important part of the history of innovation and technology."," explains the historian. "We had to standardize the system and ensure that the rail networks could coordinate to run identical rolling stock on such long routes." "
If you've landed on this article, it's probably because you've heard about the Orient Express in a book, a movie, or even a YouTube video (as illustrated, for example, by the recent video by influencer Léna Situations).
And for good reason: the Orient Express has had a profound impact on popular culture. Agatha Christie's novel Murder on the Orient Express (1934) is based on a true story in which a train got stuck in the snow. The company's archives, in fact, contain a thank-you letter signed by about twenty passengers—a valuable record of this event!
The historic atmosphere of the Orient Express station in Turkey
The train has also given rise to numerous urban legends. While some stories about espionage or attacks cannot always be verified in the archives, they continue to add to the legend...
The Orient Express continues to inspire the modern rail industry, with many successors.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express continues the tradition with its luxurious, vintage-inspired experience, while the Accor Group, one of the brand's owners, is developing a contemporary vision by reinterpreting the Art Deco styles. We should also mention the project Dolce Vita Orient Express (which we'll discuss in detail in our article on the new trains for 2025) which, since 2025, has connected Rome, Venice, and Palermo while celebrating Italian design, cuisine, and heritage.
Although criticized for being elitist, this revival of luxury rail travel could play a a positive role in the ecological transition. In fact, offering prestigious rail alternatives could encourage affluent travelers—whose carbon footprint is particularly high—to rethink their travel habits. These trains, which many people dream of riding, also make it possible to launch more accessible projects and make rail travel more widely available to the general public.
We're also thinking about Midnight Train, which unfortunately will never see the light of day, but which would have created a new kind of hotel on wheels, offering a contemporary and accessible experience of overnight train travel. And this, as its founder Adrien Aumont puts it, with the goal of “ to offer travelers a viable alternative to medium-haul flights ". Although it did not come to fruition, this initiative illustrates the diversity of projects inspired by the legacy of the Orient Express, ranging from traditional luxury to more modern and inclusive concepts.
On a more accessible note, operators such as ÖBB and its Nightjet trains or SNCF and its night trains draw inspiration from this legacy to make overnight rail travel more accessible to everyone. While the Orient Express was historically reserved for an elite few, its influence helped modernize the European rail network and inspired more inclusive services!
“The Orient Express has a major impact—it’s a name, a train, and a brand—that allows us to explore a comprehensive history (we can examine its technical, social, cultural, and economic aspects...). This unique aspect means there are plenty of issues at stake and many key players involved.”", the historian concludes.
To learn more, we invite you to check out the book by Arthur Mettetal, Orient Express: A History and Corporate Heritage (19th–21st Centuries). And for all the Practical information about the Orient Express (schedules, ticket prices, dress code, low-cost alternatives, etc.)—find it here !
And to make sure you don't miss a single episode and get plenty of inspiration from our guests, feel free to Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite streaming platforms. Thanks to our partner SNCF Connect, the go-to app for trains and sustainable transportation that helps more than 15 million users plan their trips in France and across Europe!
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
