
If you’ve watched ‘The Darjeeling Limited’ or ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ or even the H&M commercial from some time ago, you’ll know when it comes to trains, he’s a master.
Director and creative Wes Anderson teamed up with luxury travel company Belmond to revive a 50s british pullman carriage.
“I have often had the chance to invent train compartments and carriages in my movies, so I was very eager to make something new while also participating in the process of preservation which accompanies all the classic Belmond train projects. They are keeping something special alive. An endangered species of travel which is nevertheless very suited to our time”, Anderson explained.
Cygnus, this is how the carriage is called, debuted in cinemas in 1972 with Agatha movie, starring starring Dustin Hoffman and Vanessa Redgrave.
Together with ten other British Pulman carriages, Cygnus has hosted royalty, carried statesmen and survived World War II bomb raids over the years.
The result of the collaboration is a carriage that balances history with a bold and modern vision, straight out of one of Anderson’s films: stunningly symmetrical marquetry, bold rectilinear shapes and a spread of complementary colours like pastel pink and green. Stunning marquetry work in numerous wood panels shows sunbeams, clouds, stars and waves. Bold, sharp lines feature in the shape of the chairs and mirrors, adhering to the angular equilibrium the director is famed for. Eagle eyes will also spot the many swan details, referencing the carriage’s name and history.
Guests can ride in Cygnus on any journey on the British Pullman, a unique travel experience that rumbles across the rails all over England.



