Alongside seeing the Northern Lights and hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, taking a trip on a vintage-inspired luxury train is up there on many people’s bucket lists.
Harking back to the golden age of travel, the experience involves fine dining and cocktails in seriously plush surrounds, with the journey being just as important as the destination, if not more so.
One of the major players on the scene is Belmond, which operates the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and Royal Scotsman, among others – and now the luxury hospitality company has unveiled a new private carriage you can book.
Part of the luxury British Pullman train, the new carriage has been designed by legendary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann in collaboration with costume and production designer Catherine Martin.
Available for private events starting this summer, the “Celia” carriage can host up to 12 guests for cocktail hour, dinners and dancing on all British Pullman journeys. From London Victoria, the train currently offers day trips to Blenheim Palace, Oxford and Bath.
The inspiration behind the British Pullman’s new carriage
Each of the carriages aboard the British Pullman has its own unique history, design and name.
For example, in 2021 American filmmaker Wes Anderson designed the train’s Cygnus carriage. Named for the Greek God of Balance, which is often personified as a swan, that train car features waterbird detailing throughout, including shaped Champagne coolers.
Celia is named for a fictional muse created by Luhrmann. In his imaginations, Celia is a leading lady of the West End who was gifted a Pullman car after playing Titania, the queen of the fairies in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the 1930s.
That translates into a space that is meant to reflect “Shakespeare’s fantastic world”, with British-inspired floral motifs throughout, including a mosaic and hand-painted ceiling in the powder room, as well as heavy theatre-style curtains to divide the space.
“Stepping inside the carriage is like being transported into another world, and one in which guests are invited to become part of the story,” Luhrmann said.
“Celia, at its heart, is a magical mystery tour – a travelling dining experience for friends or an intimate celebration, filled with food, music, wine, laughter, and performance.
“All of this unfolds as you drift through the countryside, feeling as though you’ve stepped inside A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s a playful and exceptionally unique way to explore the UK, at your own pace and according to your own rhythm and story.”
If you want to see it for yourself, prices to rent out the Celia carriage start from €17,250.
Other new luxury train experiences
Last month, private sleeper cars debuted on two Amtrak routes in the US.
Passengers can now book exclusive use of both Evelyn Henry, a sleeping car, and the Warren R. Henry, a vista dome lounge car, between San Francisco and Denver or from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
In Europe, Accor launched Orient Express La Dolce Vita in April 2025, with various itineraries available throughout Italy.
L’Orient Express, a revival of the historic 1883 train, is set to launch in 2027.
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