Vintage Rail Cars

The great streamliner trains — Twentieth Century Limited, Capitol Limited and the Santa Fe Super Chief — offered specialized cars to their passengers.

The American Orient Express has restored these cars to a new level of contemporary splendor. Unified by the dark mahogany walls and adorned with delicate marquetry, they are fashioned in the tradition of George Pullman, the first builder of luxury rail cars.
The cars are for your enjoyment — places to enjoy the scenery, relax over refreshments, create conversation, or read or write without concern for the time.

The Dome Car

The American Orient Express is proud to have restored two rare Grand Dome cars, one for each train set.

Day or night, the glass-enclosed dome car offers a 360° view of the world outside. Furnished with comfortable couches, chairs and tables, each car seats 72.

The domes were built by the Budd Company in the 1950s for the Great Northern Railroad. Once called "super domes," they remain today, in the words of John H. White, Jr., former Curator of Transportation at Smithsonian Institution, "the most outstanding of the postwar cars."

The Observation Car (New York)

Bringing up the "markers," as trainmen might say of the last car, is the bow-tailed observation car. This car optimizes rail, with a ring of eleven extra-high windows.
Known as the Lookout Lounge, the car features an elegant round settee facing over-stuffed easy chairs and sofas.

In the center, a classic horseshoe-shaped club bar services plush swivel rockers with slender tables for writing, playing cards, or reading, with refreshments nearby.

The Lounge Car

For intimate seating on plush chairs and sofas, lively conversation, or live piano music the 1940s-era lounge car is the place to be. Enjoy cocktails while a pianist performs songs by George Gershwin, Hoagy Carmichael, Kenny Wayne, and Cab Calloway, on the baby grand piano at the car's center.

Sleeping Accommodations

Travel writers of the 1950s described these sleeping car compartments as "cozy, comfortable and pleasant." That feel is maintained on the American Orient Express — an inviting little oasis for those times when solitude beckons.

Whether you want a refreshing shower running or your car's compartment filled with the aromatic steam of hot coffee or tea, your porter is present and ready to accommodate your requests.

Vintage Pullman

Upper and lower beds, converted full-size couch, private sink and water closet.

Single Sleeper

Lower bed, converted single sofa seat, private sink, and water closet.

Parlor Suite

Larger cabin with two lower beds, and an extra upper converted bed, full couch, seat, private sink and water closet.

(Can accomodate up to three passengers; rates on request. Hand-held shower)

Deluxe Suite

Larger cabin with two lower beds in an "L" configuration, coverted full-size couch and converted single sofa seat, table, private sink, water closet and shower.

Presidential Suite

Double-size cabin with two lower beds, two converted single sofa seats or a converted couch, private sink, water closet and shower. (Can accommodate up to three passengers; rates on request.)