The first ever Orient Express set off from Paris on October 4th, 1883, immediately becoming a byword for extreme luxury.

With its wood panelling, silk sheets and gourmet menus, the train quickly became a favourite of kings, aristocrats, artists and even spies.

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explore why the train neither went to the “Orient” nor was it particular “express”; discuss why a very particular type of heartbreak led Belgian businessman Georges Nagelmackers to come up with the sleeper train; and look into why the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles rode the Orient Express…

Further Reading:

• ‘The True History of the Orient Express’ (Smithsonian Magazine, 2014): https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-history-of-the-orient-express-149702768/ 

• ‘The 50 Greatest Train Journeys of the World’ (Anthony Lambert, 2016): https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_50_Greatest_Train_Journeys_of_the_Wo/j7YLDAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 

• ‘The truth behind the legend: The Orient Express’ (The Man in Seat 61, 2009): https://www.seat61.com/history-of-the-orient-express.htm 

• ‘28hrs on World’s Most Luxurious Train: The Venice Simplon Orient Express’ (Trek Trendy, 2021): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh56ESOVYdQ 

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The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.

Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Sophie King.

Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2022.

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