Originally Posted by
Kagehitokiri
SNCF (owns Orient Express name) previously announced plan for Orient Express train of their own, and did deal with accor to do Orient Express hotels
Sorry by VSOE I mean the Venice Simplon Orient Express which is operated by Belmond with original refurbished carriages (air suspension, but no bathrooms and no air conditioning). A rolling museum and fantastic for train fans like myself. They also operate lovely trains in Ireland, the UK, Peru and SE Asia. They had even (failed) operations in Australia.
Indeed SNCF made drafts of a modern version of Orient Express with all comforts, but I doubt given the sore state of the French rail network (except high speed lines), their demotivated staff and disastrous finances that this project will have any future.