The British Pullman takes its name from George Mortimer Pullman, an American, who in 1864 built The Pioneer, the first railway carriage designed with true comfort for the passenger. The later creation of the Pullman Car Company in 1882 led to his domination of luxury train travel in Britain from that time onwards.

These luxury day cars formed the train that would take passengers from London to the English Channel ports as part of the famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, as well as travelling the length and breadth of Great Britain.

The history of the train lies in the individual carriages which today form the British Pullman. The carriages have changed hands many times during their lifetime and bring with them stories and events which give them their unique character.