You may not catch the shadow of Agatha Christie’s sophisticated Belgian detective Hercule Poirot at London’s Victoria Station, but standing trackside waiting to board the magnificent British Pullman will definitely sweep you back in time to the Golden Age of travel. Part of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the British Pullman’s impeccably restored vintage carriages offer a wide variety of sublime journey experiences, whether it’s the new Cambridge & Ely itinerary with a walking tour and visit to the Norman era Ely Cathedral, a summer jaunt to Sandringham House and its lovely formal gardens, or a single leg of a grand excursion between London and Venice. The British Pullman is even available as a private charter for personal celebrations or company business events.

Each of the 11 luxurious dining cars from the 1920s and 1930s are configured with solid brass fixtures, rare timber veneers and custom loomed fabrics — and each comes steeped in its own history. Cygnus, with Australian walnut panels, was reserved for the use of royalty and visiting heads of state; Perseus was used in Winston Churchill’s funeral train in 1965.

Each year, 22,000 bottles of Champagne and more than 330 pounds of caviar are served onboard, and an official train manager and staff of 25 uniformed stewards are on hand to ensure a memorable experience. Upholstered armchairs provide comfortable seating at tables accommodating between one and four guests. Other areas include an open dining car and small, four-person compartments called coupés, seating a total of 252 passengers.

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