Just a little dry, but plenty interesting to read. I recently started Murder on the Orient Express, which piqued me to open this. That novel starts in Syria, so maybe some train routes stretched even further than Istanbul? It strikes me too that this opulent project was sponsored by the horrible Leopold II, who is known for his exploitation of Congo. And now, long-distance “slow” train travel is touted as a sustainable alternative to air travel. I at least heard about a new sleeper train opening to connect Stockholm to Paris. Anti earth-exploitation, in a way.
You made me curious, so I looked it up. Apparently, Poirot travels with the Taurus Express (operated by the same company as the Orient Express) from Aleppo to Istanbul, where he boards the Orient Express to Paris.
I've never read the book, but I've seen one of the TV adaptations, and as far as I recall the episode started with him already on board the Orient Express. They probably had to slim the story down a bit for it to fit into a one-hour format.
You’re right! Clearly I was reading only half attentively, I do recall the switch of trains in Istanbul. The ironic part, which this article also points out, is that the Taurus Express was running further east than the “Orient” Express.
Enjoyably informative! Great one to kick off the day.
We want to go!
Just a little dry, but plenty interesting to read. I recently started Murder on the Orient Express, which piqued me to open this. That novel starts in Syria, so maybe some train routes stretched even further than Istanbul? It strikes me too that this opulent project was sponsored by the horrible Leopold II, who is known for his exploitation of Congo. And now, long-distance “slow” train travel is touted as a sustainable alternative to air travel. I at least heard about a new sleeper train opening to connect Stockholm to Paris. Anti earth-exploitation, in a way.
You made me curious, so I looked it up. Apparently, Poirot travels with the Taurus Express (operated by the same company as the Orient Express) from Aleppo to Istanbul, where he boards the Orient Express to Paris.
I've never read the book, but I've seen one of the TV adaptations, and as far as I recall the episode started with him already on board the Orient Express. They probably had to slim the story down a bit for it to fit into a one-hour format.
You’re right! Clearly I was reading only half attentively, I do recall the switch of trains in Istanbul. The ironic part, which this article also points out, is that the Taurus Express was running further east than the “Orient” Express.