You wait ages for a brand new state-of-the-art mould-breaking luxury train to come along and then there are three in rapid succession.

First up, in April, was the Shiki-Shima – sorry, Train Suite Shiki-Shima – a striking 21st-century reinvention of the humble locomotive with an eye-catching champagne and gold exterior, bold geometrically shaped windows, Michelin-starred cuisine, oh, and staff uniforms fashioned by the costume designer to the Empress of Japan.

Barely had this apparition of hi-tech loveliness glided its way past the perfect peak of Mount Fuji than thousands of miles away on the other side of the planet in Peru, the Belmond Andean Explorer, the latest offering from the company behind the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, raised the bar in another way by becoming South America’s first luxury sleeper train – upping the stakes by climbing to an altitude of more than 14,000ft on its pioneering journey to Lake Titicaca.

The Belmond Andean Explorer is South America’s first luxury sleeper train Credit: Matt Crossick/Belmond

And there’s more to come. Later this month, again in Japan, the Twilight Express Mizukaze promises to be another dramatic visual statement – with an exterior heralded as “avant-garde samurai helmet” and an interior that fuses Art Deco design with sheer opulence, on-board cuisine fashioned by a Michelin-starred chef and opportunities to explore cherished sites of natural beauty such as the Seto Inland Sea and the Setonaikai National Park.

The launch of these three modern-day Titans of the tracks within just a few short weeks underlines the fact that when it comes to exploring the world by train in style and with panache (and, it has to be said, a healthy disregard for expense), this is the way growing numbers are choosing to do it.

A cabin planned for the Twilight Express Mizukaze

And who can blame them? Who amongst us has looked at those stylised images of the original Paris to Istanbul Orient Express and not craved to travel in that way?

Who has not dreamt of boarding a train bound for somewhere exotic – Shanghai perhaps, forever associated with the sultry looks and husky tones of Marlene Dietrich – and of striking up stimulating acquaintance in the late-night piano bar?

On board the striking Train Suite Shiki-Shima

Somewhere in all of our minds we associate luxury train travel with the sophistication and glamour of a more elegant, slower-paced age – and seek it for ourselves.

To meet this demand, not only do we have new trains. There has also been a huge expansion in the range and scope of itineraries.

To the classic journeys such as London to Venice, Moscow to Vladivostok, Cape Town to the Victoria Falls, have been added sorties by luxury train to the “roof of the world” in Tibet, to the Arctic Circle and the midnight sun, to the cultural riches of Sicily and Hellenic Greece and even – something which until recently would have been considered unthinkable – to the heart of Iran and the treasures of ancient Persia.

“For a lot of people these trains allow access to exotic places they would love to visit but would not feel confident about seeing on their own,” says Tim Littler, founder of Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

“People like the fact that as with river cruises, they can journey to distant places without ever having to unpack. For many there is comfort in the cocoon of the privately chartered train, particularly in countries which are not the easiest to explore, such as India.”

Along with more varied itineraries, larger and more lavish suites and ever more sophisticated (and locally sourced) gourmet cuisine, luxury train operators have also been upping the ante when it comes to on and off-board activities.

On the new Andean Explorer, passengers have the opportunity to participate in lessons in preparing ceviche Credit: Matt Crossick/Belmond

On the new Andean Explorer, passengers have the opportunity to participate in lessons in preparing ceviche; spa compartments offering massage and facials are now commonplace; Golden Eagle this year introduces on the Moscow to Vladivostok run the possibility of yoga and meditation sessions.

“The coming of the new super luxury Japanese trains in particular has forced operators to rejig old routes and think anew about what to do with the trains”, says Simon Pielow of the Luxury Train Club, an organisation offering a range of top-end rail tours worldwide.

As examples of the trend, Pielow cites the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express departure coinciding with the city’s Grand Ball in November and the creation of a four-day Belmond Northern Belle journey that incorporates time in Chester and the Lake District.

As a further example of the new creative thinking, the same train will today be ferrying a select number from London to Cardiff for the Uefa Champions League final between Juventus and Real Madrid.

“Historically our journeys were very much about getting from A to B, albeit in an extremely stylish manner,” says Belmond’s Gary Franklin.

“But now travel by luxury train has become a viable holiday option. The enjoyment of the journey itself is still a key part of the pleasure, but we have added a lot more activities aimed at providing passengers with a real feel for the texture of the countries they are travelling through.”

For those travelling in Ireland on the Belmond Grand Hibernian – another new train, launched late last year – this can involve sampling oysters and Guinness during a stop at Waterford station and using cutlery created by a long-established Irish silversmith.

Those travelling on the Belmond Royal Scotsman have the option to walk to waterfalls or go biking in the hills.

Sushi on the Train Suite Shiki-Shima

Some operators are also laying on a celebrity component: if we may blow our own trumpet here, the Telegraph Tour to Iran next year, operated in conjunction with Steppes Travel, will have as its guest speaker the train maestro and former cabinet minister Michael Portillo.

With the new experiences comes a greater need to share and compare notes with fellow passengers. Belmond has noticed that in addition to a lowering of the average age of its clientele (from 50-plus to 40-plus), there has been a swing away from people requesting a table for two in the dining car, in favour of requests for tables for four, six and even eight.

“As our journeys have become more experiential they have become more convivial,” says Franklin. “Of course there is still the glamour – the sense of stepping on to a film set – but now there is now so much more.”

Welcome to the new age of the luxury train.

Smooth (train) operators

Belmond

0845 0772 222; belmond.com

With the launch of the Andean Explorer in Peru, Belmond has confirmed its position as the premier provider of luxury train travel. Its flagship train, is the Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express, and sister trains are the Eastern & Oriental Express, Grand Hibernian (Ireland), Hiram Bingham (Peru) and the British Pullman, Royal Scotsman and Northern Belle.

Golden Eagle

0161 928 9410, goldeneagleluxurytrains.com

Since 1989 Golden Eagle Luxury Trains (previously GW Travel Ltd) has established a reputation for high-end rail adventures in Russia, Europe, Central Asia and China. Its best seller is the Trans-Siberian. This year it offers a trip to Tibet on the privately owned Shangri-La Express.

Great Rail Journeys

01904 734500; greatrail.com

Offers a wide range of holidays by rail worldwide and has a substantial selection of luxury options, including on the Blue Train and the Pride of Africa (Rovos Rail) in South Africa

Luxury Train Club

01249 890205; luxurytrainclub.com

A subsidiary of Train Chartering, the Luxury Train Club is home to a raft of news and information about luxury train travel, and offers discounts for members. Simon Pielow, the club’s co-founder, is a self-confessed “trainvangelist” for the new age of rail.

The Man in Seat 61

seat61.com



An authoritative site on almost all aspects of rail travel, including luxury trips and cheaper alternatives.