Rail up……Rail up……Orient-Express Auctions Historic ‘Brighton Belle’ Pullman Carriage on eBay

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LONDON, July 23 /PRNewswire/ — This week, luxury train operator, Orient-Express, is auctioning an
original 1930’s Pullman Car on eBay.

Currently stored in Orient-Express’ Battersea depot, Car
number 85 is a third class parlour car, which was built in 1932, and was once
part of the famous Brighton Belle.

The car has a unique history; it entered service in January
1933 where it spent the next forty years conveying city workers and holiday
makers between London and Brighton. It was withdrawn from service in 1972 but
it found a completely new lease of life as a restaurant attached to the
‘Nag’s Head’ Public house in Mickleover in Derbyshire.

Following this, it was then moved to the heritage Severn
Valley Railway in Shropshire but was never put back to use on the rails.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express purchased it in 1998 and since then it has been
stored undercover, awaiting restoration.

Car 85 is in above-average condition for its age and type and
this is “a rare opportunity for a truly dedicated collector of railwayana who
would enjoy the restoration process,” says Andrew Overton, General Manager
Orient-Express UK Trains, he add’s “this car is being auctioned off as it is
now surplus to our (Orient-Express) requirements.”
Orient-Express have 8 carriages in their reserve fleet which
are not refurbished. Car 85 is a third class car and Orient-Express only use
first class cars. This rare opportunity allows an avid railway enthusiast to
bring this car back to life.

The item is currently on http://www.ebay.co.uk and is item
number 270256929705, The auction ends on Monday 28th July at 13.23.

Notes to Editors

Orient-Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises (
http://www.orient-express.com ) is a hotel and leisure company providing
luxury travel experiences for discerning travellers in areas of outstanding
cultural, historic or recreational interest. Founded in 1976 when the company
acquired Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Orient-Express owns or has investments in
51 businesses: 41 highly individual hotels, two restaurants, six tourist
trains and two river cruise operations, located in 25 countries worldwide.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe

The legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers a travel
experience like no other, in the style of a bygone era, to exciting cities
including Venice, Paris, London, Budapest, Prague, Istanbul, Vienna and Rome.

British Pullman, United Kingdom

Experience the golden age of travel aboard the vintage
carriages of the British Pullman. Superbly comfortable carriages make the
perfect way to travel on a day excursion or short break from London and other
cities to some of the UK’s most spectacular destinations.

Northern Belle, United Kingdom

The Northern Belle fulfils the highest expectations of the
original Pullman “Belle” trains of the 1930s, offering day, weekend and Grand
Tours in immaculate carriages, with ornate interiors and superb food.
Departures from towns and cities throughout the UK.

The Royal Scotsman, Scotland

Experience the majesty of the Scottish Highlands,
ever-changing landscapes of sweeping glens, towering peaks and mirror-calm
lochs of Scotland from aboard The Royal Scotsman on a selection of one to
seven night journeys.

Eastern & Oriental Express, South East Asia

The Eastern & Oriental Express carries passengers in luxury
between Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand and travels through dense
rainforests and towering mountains, past golden temples, rubber plantations
and remote towns and villages.

For further information or high resolution images please
contact Anna Nash or Lisa Sharland at Orient-Express Public Relations on
44(0)207-921-4050 / 64 or email anna.nash@orient-express.com /
lisa.sharland@orient-express.com.

For further information regarding Orient-Express please visit
http://www.orient-express.com

Orient Express Hotels Ltd