Is the train in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express fictional or real?
Orient Express, the very name conjures up images from Agatha Christie’s crime novel Murder on the Orient Express, doesn’t it? Well, it definitely does, especially if you are a thriller lover and are fascinated by the world of Hercule Poirot, an archetypal detective with an impeccable sense of dressing and a magnificent moustache. Murder on the Orient Express features this all-time favourite hero of suspense lovers. But the detective and the other characters if the plot aren’t the only ones who draw our attention in this unforgettable murder mystery. We have the train too, the Orient Express, which is no less than a character! Have you ever wondered if this train exists in reality? Well, it certainly did, in the late 19th century and was discontinued recently. In fact, people living in Paris who needed to travel to the port city of Constantinople, would need to board the Orient Express. Now, that’s interesting!
Orient Express: Tracing the journey of the iconic train
Also known as Simplon-Orient Express, the Orient Express was a long-distance luxury passenger train that was developed by a Belgian company Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL) and commissioned by a Belgian businessman named Georges Nagelmackers. The inspiration? American engineer and industrialist George Pullman’s pioneering railroad sleeper cars that ran across America since mid-19th century.
The Orient Express made its maiden voyage in June 1883. This trans-continental train ran from Europe’s Paris to western Asia’s Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) with multiple stops along the way, such as Munich, Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest. It was Europe’s first ever trans-continental train and covered a distance of over 1700 miles. It operated in the route till 1977 after which the original Orient Express was shut down. However, it was soon replaced by Venice Simplon-Orient Express, an upgraded version that was launched by an American named James Sherwood in 1982. Since then, other stops were added to attract in travellers. These included London, Milan, Venice, Zagreb and Belgrade. However, the legendary Orient Express was finally put to rest in December 2009.
A peep inside the Orient Express
The very name Orient Express seems to smell of style and comfort. Well, it sure did live up to its name. The had luxurious sleeping arrangements, salon cars as well as well-equipped restaurants. The interiors of the train were exotic, to say the least. Starting from oriental rugs, velvet curtains and wood panelling, to leather furniture, silk sheets and woollen blankets, Orient Express had it all.
From the people of the royal families to the elites of Europe, everyone wanted to experience the Orient Express. But guess what? They weren’t the only ones who travelled on this luxury train. In fact, the Orient Express was a popular choice among the undercover agents of those times too! Maybe, that’s what earned the train its nickname Spies Express. Make a guess now: Which famous spy used the Orient Express services? It’s none other than British secret agent Robert Baden-Powell, the man behind the world-famous Boy Scouts. Interesting, isn’t it?