PBS in the US and Australia’s SBS have also boarded the four-part series

The Orient Express route will be explored in a new series called A Golden Era of Travel, co-produced by Rumpus Media and High Rock Media and pre-sold to Channel 4.

To be shown on More4 in September, the 4 x 60’ series follows the train’s 1,700-mile journey from London to Istanbul, including the key stopping points of Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest and Sofia to explore their importance during the train’s golden era and how the European landscape has changed since the iconic train was launched in 1883.

Rumpus Media (part of STV Studios) and High Rock Media previously co-produced 2024’s Abandoned Railways From Above together for Channel 4. The executive producer is Fintan Maguire. Rumpus Media is part of the STV Studios family of labels.

Also on board are PBS in the US, that is handling also handling international distribution – apart from in Australia, where the series will air on SBS.

Josephine Brassey, acting managing director at Rumpus Media, said: “The original Orient Express may now be a symbol of a bygone era, but through continued representation in the arts – not least in one of the most-loved detective stories of all time – the train service remains an enduring source of wonder and intrigue.

“Combining stunning aerial footage and illuminating historical insight, this series gives viewers a first-class ticket on an iconic journey that was once the pinnacle of luxury travel.”

The series’ executive producer Fintan Maguire, MD and creative director at High Rock Media, added: “This series captures the Orient Express journey in the glory days, when passengers could start in London and fan out across Europe on an adventure of a lifetime.

“Packed with great archive and enlightening interviews as we retrace the journey today, the series gives viewers a brilliant sense of what Europe was like for Orient Express travellers, as well as how things are now – with plenty of surprises along the way.”