History, intrigue and lifestyle come together for classic train
Updated: 2015-08-24 07:47
By Mike Peters(China Daily)
|
|||||||||
An exhibition in Paris last year shows a poster of BBC's television adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express, in which David Suchet portrayed the role of detective Hercule Poirot. [Photo/CFP] |
The years between the world wars were the luxurious Orient Express heyday-one that has since undergone resurgence.
It has never been a single train and route but, rather, a network of trains connecting the cities of the East and West.
It was decimated during World War II.
Hitler conscripted many of the 1,750 cars the line had at its peak and scrapped them down to rolling platforms to transport tanks.
The war advanced the aviation industry, and flying quickly became the chic way to travel after 1945.
In 1977, millionaire shipping-magnate James Sherwood bought two shabby first-class sleeping carriages from the defunct line-without an engine-at an auction.
"People thought he was crazy," the train's senior manager, Bruno Janssens, says.
Sherwood was no railway nut chasing a boyhood dream but was intrigued by the nostalgia the Christie novel and subsequent films had inspired. His enthusiasm was stoked, Janssens says, by the fact that, while only two bidders competed for the train relics, about 500 journalists showed up.
- Tsipras formally resigns, requesting snap general elections
- China-Russia drill not targeting 3rd party
- UK, France boost security
- China demands Japan face history after Abe's wife visits Yasukuni Shrine
- DPRK deploys more fire units to frontlines with ROK
- DPRK, ROK trade artillery, rocket fire at border
- Giant panda Bao Bao celebrates two-year birthday
- Across America over the week (Aug 14 - Aug 20)
- Stars in their eyes: leaders in love
- A survival guide for singles on Chinese Valentine’s Day
- Beijing police publishes cartoon images of residents who tip off police
- Rare brown panda grows up in NW China
- Putin rides to bottom of Black Sea
- The changing looks of Beijing before V Day parade
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Seventh China-US strategic dialogue |
Premier Li embarks on Latin America visit |
What do we know about AIIB |
Full coverage of Boao Forum for Asia |
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Spring Festival trends reflect a changing China |
Today's Top News
China advocates practical cooperation between LatAm, East Asia
Giant panda gives birth at Washington's National Zoo
Emissions data won't change China policy
Preparations shutter Forbidden City, other major tourist spots
President Xi Jinping calls for crews not to ease up
Chemical plants to be relocated in blast zone
Asian sprinters on track to make some big strides
Jon Bon Jovi sings in Mandarin for Chinese Valentine's Day
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |