Haunting Photos of a Once Luxurious Orient Express Train Now Abandoned

Once the pinnacle of luxury travel during a time in which travelling was still a relatively rough experience The Orient Express has a deep and rich legacy of mystery surrounding it thanks to the countless references to it in film, music and literature. Starting life as a long-distance passenger railway service in 1883 the train was created by international hotel and travel logistics group Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL) with an original route from Paris Gare de l’Est to Giurgiu, Romania by way of Munich and Vienna. Since it’s founding however the route of the Orient Express has changed many times.

In stark contrast to the Orient Expresses legacy, photographer Andre Joosse of Urbex nl recently came across a group of abandoned carriages and locomotives within the city of Belgium which have been placed at the site by the national railway company from Belgium. Although the locomotives origins aren’t quite clear, they appear to be of a luxury appearance if you’re able to look past the rust, decay and rot. Known by locals in the area as “the Orient Express” the carriages where destined to be put into a museum however they appeared to have been forgotten about.

After years of adapting, shortening and changing both the route and service that the Orient Express offered it ceased to operate in December 2009 disappearing from train timetables forever. Reportedly a victim of cheaper flights and high speed train services those still looking for that grand experience steeped in history and luxury are in luck as a train in it’s legacy still lives on as the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, a private venture by leisure company Belmond.

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Urbex nl
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