Belmond’s Wes Anderson Carriage Encompasses a Resurgence of the Golden Age of Train Travel

LONDON

Each Belmond train journey offers a unique adventure, from coastal escapades to afternoons of culture amongst the best of Britain’s historic towns, and even a Moving Murder Mystery Lunch or two. Boasting an array of luxury day trips across England, every itinerary is as meticulously crafted, to perfectly complement the trains and their interiors. The carriages, many of which date back to the 1920s and ’30s, have been restored with the same detailed marquetry, plush upholstery, and outlandish design from collaborations with heritage brands like Liberty, a continuation and restoration of the brand's bold and eclectic character.

But even iconic brands must evolve, and Belmond has done so with a marketing finesse. In recent years, the brand is appealing more to wanderlust-fuelled young travellers, with a marketing strategy that celebrates style and experience and is onboard with their digitally-driven Gen Z audience. Alongside the breakthrough into this new yet influential demographic, Belmond maintains its audience amongst the Golden Age, nostalgia-loving returning guests, combining the old and the new with impeccable aesthetics.

Image courtesy of CSP Times

Nowhere is this marriage of historic pasts and pastures new more evident than in the train’s most talked-about feature - a bespoke carriage designed by Hollywood royalty Wes Anderson. An iteration to the Latin term for “swan”, the "Cygnus" carriage captures Anderson’s unmistakable eccentric aesthetic while honouring the train’s historic heart. Stepping into it is like stepping onto a film set, one that just might appear in his next feature!

The pinnacle of modern automotive engineering

The aged grandeur of Belmond’s historic fleet has very much adapted to the times, as most carriages have been refurbished to suit modern safety regulations. At the hands of the expert engineering team, a whole central locking has been fitted through the British Pullman train - a task that is easier said than done when working with cars dating back to the 1920’s.

Following the typical recondition process of the ghost fleet, from skeleton chassis was born Cygnus. The hibernation period of the pandemic allowed Anderson the creative liberty to then dive head-first into the design process, sculpting the Cygnus carriage in France.

Golden Age grandeur meets Hollywood royalty

When Belmond approached Wes Anderson to design a carriage for the British Pullman, they offered him rare creative freedom and an expert internal design team to collaborate with on the project. The result of this legendary partnership is Cygnus, a striking fusion of Anderson’s signature aesthetic and the timeless elegance of luxury rail travel.

Inside, plush reclining armchairs, bespoke glassware, and hand-selected materials reflect Belmond’s commitment to craftsmanship, reimagined through Anderson’s cinematic lens. Capturing a period when travellers were fascinated by travel to faraway destinations, Cygnus taps into trends of the twenties and thirties, in an abundance of exotically decorated décor. Anderson hand-picked the very best materials, with Australian wood panels that line the carriage, and constellate walls in ornamental motifs that tell a story. Wrapped in rich forest-green marquetry and lined with 1920s-inspired patterns, the carriage - built in the 1950s - channels a whimsical lens of French Art Deco. Modern furnishings are perfectly complimented with original accents, like the brass marquetry and smoking vents, a subtle nod to the rich history of train travel.

Image courtesy of CSP Times

The Art Deco influences are unmistakable, but there’s also something dreamlike at play, as Anderson has created a hyper-stylised vision of what train travel could have been, had Hollywood designed it. The experience is as much about storytelling as it is about luxury, and is offered as an invitation to travellers to step into the director’s world, without ever leaving your seat.

Not only do guests enjoy the enhanced luxury experience of sitting in the brainchild of one of cinema's most established directors, but they can sit, sip, and ruminate on Anderson's inner workings all while enjoying a bottle of Veuve Clicquot.

Belmond’s commitment to conscious luxury

Each car of the British Pullman is embellished by copies of the Belmond Magazine, and a hard copy of the London Wildlife Trust's book, London in the Wild. The brand’s quarterly design signature offers a stylistic lens into Belmond’s international locations, mixing high art and culture with thought-provoking reading as you embark on your journey.

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Belmond’s advocation of sustainability doesn’t stop at its philanthropic initiatives and extends far beyond surface-level greenwashing. All locomotives on the Belmond fleet run off biofuel, to reduce the carbon footprint within the day-to-day operations. Responsible sourcing of ingredients for the British Pullman's five-star menu is in collaboration with EarthCheck, which not only gives back to the local communities, but reduces consumption of over-farmed products and uses sustainably sourced ingredients. Belmond's desire for meaningful change runs deeper than simple, superficial initiatives as the brand seeks neutral environmental impact, proving that luxury brands can maintain opulence and be sustainable at the same time.

A journey of self-discovery with Belmond’s Britannic Explorer

Newly launched in July, the Britannic Explorer is the latest addition to the Belmond fleet. Refurbished with precision and purpose, the train charts an overnight course through some of Britain’s most breath taking landscapes, including Cornwall, Wales, and the Peak District.

Designed by London-based studio Albion Nord, the interiors exude calming elegance, pairing heritage detailing with contemporary refinement. Every carriage reflects a seamless fusion of design and destination, as the journey itself becomes a sanctuary. More than a new route, the Britannic Explorer represents a refreshed vision for Belmond, one that deepens the brand’s commitment to wellness and reconnection with nature. At the pinnacle of slow travel, it offers a rarefied experience where luxury is not about excess, but about presence as guests enjoy intimate, mindful, and exquisitely curated luxury experiences.

To book the Cygnus carriage for your next excursion please visit the Belmond website, and explore the journeys that the British Pullman has to offer.

Image courtesy of CSP Times