As Murder on the Orient Express arrives in UK cinemas, Anthony Lambert runs the rule over 10 icons of rail travel.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Paris–Venice/Istanbul

No train has engendered as many tales of romance, illicit sex and espionage as the Orient Express, which first left Paris for Istanbul in 1883. In its heyday and in today’s incarnation of the train, it has been a byword for luxury, exemplary service and delectable cuisine, providing Agatha Christie with the perfect setting for her most famous Poirot crime story. The new film version of the story directed by Kenneth Branagh launched yesterday and is sure to encourage more passengers to take its principal route from London Victoria to Venice – Istanbul is visited once a year, following the 1883 route as closely as possible. Its magnificent period carriages will be supplemented next year by reconfigured cars with en suite cabins.

Belmond (020 3117 1300; www.belmond.com). From £2,210 inclusive of meals but not alcohol.

Mystery (and history) on the world's most iconic rail journey