The legendary train, the Orient Express, known from Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, has reappeared in Antwerp. Train spotters could see the train passing by in Mechelen, Antwerp East, Luchtbal and Essen. “The romance that surrounds the train is very special,” one of the train spotters admits.
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Saar Van Olmen
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“It’s a lot of fun here, you should definitely do it yourself!” That’s what some Dutch passengers say when we approach them as we pass. But they soon left. The Orient Express has to go through.
The Orient Express only passes through the country once or twice a year, adding the mythical atmosphere that surrounds it. This is how James Bond escaped from the train in the movie From Russia with Love and Graham Green wrote about the phenomenon in his novel Stamboul Train† Famous passengers included Mata Hari, Coco Chanel, Sigmund Freud, Marlène Dietrich and Albert Einstein. Legendary, or did we say that already?
Janmart shows his photos to his colleagues. — © Jan Van der Perre
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Last year the train could already be admired in Essen, with a few hours delay. That didn’t bother the spotters, though. He would also pass through Antwerp-Central, but due to the large turnout of spectators, he was eventually diverted. In contrast to last year, there were now only five fanciers at the Luchtbal.
Alain Janmart (68) from Berchem is a retired train driver and was once allowed to take a ride in the Orient Express. “For me, the train is nostalgia. I’m glad it’s held up so well by the staff,” he says. Although it comes with an expensive price tag. “If you want to rent the train, you pay 380,000 euros for it, which is 4,000 euros per person. I was allowed to drive from Paris Gare de L’Est to Brussels South, and that was a great experience. You let yourself be carried away by the luxury, eat in style and drink pink champagne from beautiful glasses.”
–Gilian Fimers (26) from Berchem. — © Jan Van der Perre
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For Gilian Fimers (26) from Berchem it is a pleasure to spend some time with a few comrades. He had the early shift today, so should have been in bed by now. But he likes to stay awake a little longer for this. “I am fascinated by the movements and mobility that come with train traffic. That modal shift is really my thing.”
The youngest of the gang is Dries Avonds from Lier. He is 13 years old and uses every opportunity to photograph trains. “My first word was even train”, he laughs. Dries first took pictures of the Orient Express in Zinnik and then quickly came to Antwerp. “I saw him last year, but it’s still fun of course.” He doesn’t yet know exactly what he wants to do with his passion, although he has no intention of stopping it yet. “Become a professional train spotter, if only you could.”
The Orient Express can be seen again on Thursday. Then he drives via the Luchtbal around 12.30 pm.
–Dries Avonds (13) from Lier. — © Jan Van der Perre
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