Who was the official operator of the famous American Orient Express train system?
The American Orient Express operated across the United States as well as parts of Canada and Mexico. It was advertised as a sort of combination of a cruise ship and a five-star hotel. After several years of operation it was sold in 2007 to new owners and its name was changed to GrandLuxe Rail Journeys. In late August 2008, GrandLuxe Rail Journeys abruptly ceased operations. The entire set of luxury train cars was put up for sale in September 2008. In June 2009, it was reported that 25 trains cars had been purchased by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, and would be used to “enhance the national parks experience. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.
The Orient Express is the name of a long-distance passenger train originally operated by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits. Its route has changed many times, and several routes have in the past concurrently used the name (or slight variants thereof). Although the original Orient Express was simply a normal international railway service, the name has become synonymous with intrigue and luxury travel. The two city names most intimately associated with the Orient Express are Paris and Istanbul, the original endpoints of the service. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.
