Tenco Mobile Logo

Inside Baz Luhrmann's New Belmond Train Carriage

British Pullman, a Belmond Train
Luxury rail travel has always existed at the intersection of nostalgia, glamour, and escapism. Long before private aviation became synonymous with exclusivity, trains represented the golden age of travel, an era where the journey itself was as important as the destination. Today, Belmond continues to redefine that tradition through immersive hospitality and storytelling, unveiling one of the most ambitious additions to modern luxury travel: Celia, a new private dining and events carriage aboard the British Pullman, designed by visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and Oscar-winning costume and production designer Catherine Martin. Launching in 2026, Celia transforms a historic 1932 Pullman carriage into a cinematic world of theatrical elegance, immersive design, and curated hospitality, a space where fine dining, entertainment and storytelling converge aboard one of Britain’s most iconic luxury trains.
Luxury rail travel has always existed at the intersection of nostalgia, glamour, and escapism. Long before private aviation became synonymous with exclusivity, trains represented the golden age of travel, an era where the journey itself was as important as the destination. Today, Belmond continues to redefine that tradition through immersive hospitality and storytelling, unveiling one of the most ambitious additions to modern luxury travel: Celia, a new private dining and events carriage aboard the British Pullman, designed by visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and Oscar-winning costume and production designer Catherine Martin. Launching in 2026, Celia transforms a historic 1932 Pullman carriage into a cinematic world of theatrical elegance, immersive design, and curated hospitality, a space where fine dining, entertainment and storytelling converge aboard one of Britain’s most iconic luxury trains.
Baz Luhrmann & Catherine Martin
Baz Luhrmann & Catherine Martin
Celia - New Dining/Events Carriage
Celia - New Dining/Events Carriage

A Carriage Inspired by Theatre, Cinema, and Fantasy

Rather than approaching the project as a traditional train refurbishment, Luhrmann and Martin envisioned Celia as a fully immersive environment inspired by the visual language of theatre and film. Drawing influence from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, London’s glamorous 1930s theatre scene, and the romantic decadence often associated with Luhrmann’s cinematic universe, the carriage was designed to feel like a moving stage set suspended between fantasy and reality. The carriage itself is named after a fictional character imagined by the creative duo, Celia, a glamorous West End actress from the 1930s whose personality and imagined life inspired the atmosphere, textures and storytelling behind the space. Through this fictional muse, the carriage becomes more than a physical environment; it becomes a narrative experience intended to transport guests into another era.
A Carriage Inspired by Theatre, Cinema, and Fantasy
Rather than approaching the project as a traditional train refurbishment, Luhrmann and Martin envisioned Celia as a fully immersive environment inspired by the visual language of theatre and film. Drawing influence from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, London’s glamorous 1930s theatre scene, and the romantic decadence often associated with Luhrmann’s cinematic universe, the carriage was designed to feel like a moving stage set suspended between fantasy and reality. The carriage itself is named after a fictional character imagined by the creative duo, Celia, a glamorous West End actress from the 1930s whose personality and imagined life inspired the atmosphere, textures and storytelling behind the space. Through this fictional muse, the carriage becomes more than a physical environment; it becomes a narrative experience intended to transport guests into another era.
Celia Bathroom

Design Details and Interior Craftsmanship

Inside Celia, every detail has been carefully curated to evoke drama, intimacy, and timeless sophistication. Rich velvet seating, floral marquetry, theatrical drapery, mirrored surfaces, custom glasswork, and handcrafted British artisanal details create a layered and cinematic interior unlike anything currently found in modern rail travel. The carriage balances Art Deco references with contemporary refinement, combining historical authenticity with Belmond’s modern luxury identity. Warm lighting and intimate seating arrangements create the atmosphere of a private members’ club or theatrical salon, while subtle visual references to stage design reinforce the sense of performance and escapism.
As with many Belmond experiences, craftsmanship plays a central role in the project. The restoration and transformation of the original Pullman carriage required extensive collaboration with British artisans, designers and restoration specialists to preserve the heritage of the train while introducing an entirely new visual identity.
 
Celia Bathroom
Design Details and Interior Craftsmanship
Inside Celia, every detail has been carefully curated to evoke drama, intimacy, and timeless sophistication. Rich velvet seating, floral marquetry, theatrical drapery, mirrored surfaces, custom glasswork, and handcrafted British artisanal details create a layered and cinematic interior unlike anything currently found in modern rail travel. The carriage balances Art Deco references with contemporary refinement, combining historical authenticity with Belmond’s modern luxury identity. Warm lighting and intimate seating arrangements create the atmosphere of a private members’ club or theatrical salon, while subtle visual references to stage design reinforce the sense of performance and escapism.
As with many Belmond experiences, craftsmanship plays a central role in the project. The restoration and transformation of the original Pullman carriage required extensive collaboration with British artisans, designers and restoration specialists to preserve the heritage of the train while introducing an entirely new visual identity.
 
Exclusive Bespoke Activities

A Private Space Designed for Dining and Events

Unlike traditional dining carriages, Celia has been designed as an entirely private venue capable of hosting bespoke events and highly personalized experiences. Accommodating up to 12 guests, the carriage includes a private cocktail bar, lounge area, dining space, entertainment area and dedicated kitchen facilities. Guests will be able to curate their own journeys and events aboard the carriage, ranging from intimate dinners and private celebrations to immersive performances, live music, curated entertainment experiences and luxury brand activations. Menus can be customized by private chefs, while the carriage itself can be adapted to different atmospheres and themes depending on the occasion. This flexibility reflects the broader evolution of luxury hospitality, where personalization and exclusivity increasingly define modern travel experiences. Rather than offering a standardized journey, Celia is intended to feel entirely unique to each guest.
Exclusive Bespoke Activities
A Private Space Designed for Dining and Events
Unlike traditional dining carriages, Celia has been designed as an entirely private venue capable of hosting bespoke events and highly personalized experiences. Accommodating up to 12 guests, the carriage includes a private cocktail bar, lounge area, dining space, entertainment area and dedicated kitchen facilities. Guests will be able to curate their own journeys and events aboard the carriage, ranging from intimate dinners and private celebrations to immersive performances, live music, curated entertainment experiences and luxury brand activations. Menus can be customized by private chefs, while the carriage itself can be adapted to different atmospheres and themes depending on the occasion. This flexibility reflects the broader evolution of luxury hospitality, where personalization and exclusivity increasingly define modern travel experiences. Rather than offering a standardized journey, Celia is intended to feel entirely unique to each guest.
Welcome Drinks and Expert Wine Pairings
Welcome Drinks and Expert Wine Pairings

The Return of “Slow Luxury”

At the heart of the project lies a broader cultural shift toward slow travel and experiential luxury. In contrast to the speed and efficiency that dominate modern transportation, luxury trains like the British Pullman offer something increasingly rare: the opportunity to slow down and experience travel as an emotional and sensory journey. For Luhrmann and Martin, this philosophy became central to the carriage’s identity. Their vision embraces the romance of movement, conversation, dining, music, and atmosphere, transforming rail travel into a form of contemporary escapism rooted in elegance and storytelling. Belmond has long positioned itself at the forefront of experiential luxury hospitality, operating some of the world’s most iconic trains including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the Royal Scotsman, and the British Pullman. With Celia, the company continues to expand beyond traditional hospitality into immersive cultural experiences that blend travel, art, gastronomy and design.
The Return of “Slow Luxury”
At the heart of the project lies a broader cultural shift toward slow travel and experiential luxury. In contrast to the speed and efficiency that dominate modern transportation, luxury trains like the British Pullman offer something increasingly rare: the opportunity to slow down and experience travel as an emotional and sensory journey. For Luhrmann and Martin, this philosophy became central to the carriage’s identity. Their vision embraces the romance of movement, conversation, dining, music, and atmosphere, transforming rail travel into a form of contemporary escapism rooted in elegance and storytelling. Belmond has long positioned itself at the forefront of experiential luxury hospitality, operating some of the world’s most iconic trains including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the Royal Scotsman, and the British Pullman. With Celia, the company continues to expand beyond traditional hospitality into immersive cultural experiences that blend travel, art, gastronomy and design.
Opening Night at London Victoria Station
Opening Night at London Victoria Station
Celia Carriage
Celia Carriage

Redefining the Future of Luxury Hospitality

The unveiling of Celia reflects a larger evolution within luxury itself. Increasingly, exclusivity is no longer defined solely by material opulence, but by access to experiences that feel deeply personal, emotionally engaging and impossible to replicate. By collaborating with figures like Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, creatives known for building entire visual worlds through cinema and design, Belmond transforms a train carriage into something far more ambitious: a living theatrical environment where guests become participants in the story itself. As luxury travelers continue searching for experiences that combine heritage, craftsmanship, culture and individuality, Celia stands as one of the most compelling examples of where modern hospitality is heading. More than simply a dining carriage, it represents a new chapter in experiential travel, one where movement, storytelling and design come together to create unforgettable journeys.
Know More
Redefining the Future of Luxury Hospitality
The unveiling of Celia reflects a larger evolution within luxury itself. Increasingly, exclusivity is no longer defined solely by material opulence, but by access to experiences that feel deeply personal, emotionally engaging and impossible to replicate. By collaborating with figures like Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, creatives known for building entire visual worlds through cinema and design, Belmond transforms a train carriage into something far more ambitious: a living theatrical environment where guests become participants in the story itself. As luxury travelers continue searching for experiences that combine heritage, craftsmanship, culture and individuality, Celia stands as one of the most compelling examples of where modern hospitality is heading. More than simply a dining carriage, it represents a new chapter in experiential travel, one where movement, storytelling and design come together to create unforgettable journeys.
Know More

Join Our Newsletter

Never miss out.

Membership Application