[pedromorgan]

hello Alistair

This is a simple question with a very colplicated answer.

To the naked eye they all look like aluminium panelled coaches BUT some of them are wodden panelled coaches that have the wodden panelling plated over to comply with regulations.

I understand that at least 1 of them actually had the wodden panelling restored and then the sheeted over.
a real shame i would have loved to have seen it.
The orient express web site is actually very good and gives you a breif description of each coach both in the UK rake and the continental one.
You can also order broshours that have one or 2 nice pictures in them.

I would love to go on it but i am so afraid of it not living up to my expectations. i prefer to leave it as a dream.

Peter

P.S. its "Simplon" not Simpleton!

 

[pedromorgan]

oah yes many of them are former brighton bells. they are easy to spot because they are slightly narrower at the top than at the waistline. a unique feature among the pullmans.

Orient express actually owns all 5 cars from one of the brighton bells.
They were all completly rewired and many had new braking systems fitted when they were first used for the express.

the heratige railway carridge ragister is on the web somewhere and its a great source of information.
Peter

 

[pedromorgan]

gwen, vera and audrey are all ex-5Bel

 

[pedromorgan]

They started work on one but the last i heard was that they had given up for the time being. a shame really i think thye could be converted into good observation cars.

I think only 3 of the driving cars are at stuarts lane. the rest are at various other sited.

Peter