KUALA LUMPUR: The Eastern and Oriental Express will return in 2024 with its "unrivalled" luxury train rides after a four-year hiatus. And it will have two new routes from Singapore to Malaysia.
The Eastern & Oriental Express will leave Singapore's Woodlands station and go through Malaysia, stopping in Penang and Taman Negara.
These routes represent the brand's formal return to Southeast Asia after the Covid-19 outbreak caused it to close its doors.
According to industry insiders, the operator Belmond Ltd is optimistic about the carriages' take-up as demand for greener alternatives to flying is increasing in the post-pandemic environment.
It is understood that Eastern & Oriental Express is expected to expand to Bangkok, Thailand after commencing Singapore-Malaysia services next year.
"Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) is in discussions with the luxury train service company to operate more routes to strengthen the rail industry and revive tourism in the country," a source familiar with the matter said.
KTMB has collaborated with Eastern and Oriental Express since 1991.
The luxury train made its Southeast Asian début in 1993, transporting passengers from Singapore to Bangkok.
Hitachi and Nippon Sharyo developed the train in Japan in 1972, and it was known as the Silver Star in New Zealand. All 31 carriages were later managed by Orient-Express Hotels, which was renamed Belmond Limited in 2014.
For Thai and Malaysian railway lines, twenty-four carriages were regauged from New Zealand's 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge to 1,000 mm gauge.
The new owners undertook a thorough internal refurbishment and fit-out, as well as exterior painting and badging, at their (then) newly-constructed maintenance depot on KTMB land in Singapore's Keppel Road rail yards.
The national railway company, KTMB, concluded an arrangement with Eastern and Oriental Express in February of this year.
The arrangement includes commercial upgrades to the existing agreement for the train business to use the rail network in Malaysia beginning in Woodlands and continuing to Padang Besar in Perlis before continuing to Bangkok.
"Both companies have reached an agreement to improve on the previous transport agreement to promote the connection of the land and rail sector as well as turn Malaysia into one of the preferred destinations by offering the luxury train service," KTMB said.
Meanwhile, the 15 iconic green and cream-colored carriages, which were previously a common sight for train enthusiasts in the region, have been restyled.
At the back of the train, there are eight sleeper cars, two restaurant cars, a piano bar and an open-air observation car. Guests can choose between three cabin types: Pullman, State, and Presidential.
All have private bathrooms, said a Belmond news release announcing the new routes.
"The Pullman cabins are inspired by the radiance of Kuala Lumpur, boasting red sofas juxtaposed with blue cushions, drapery and pelmets that reflect the city's dramatic skies, while the State cabins reflect Penang's marine locale, with a bright blue and green color palette," it said.
The Eastern and Oriental Express will provide two Malaysia experiences - "Essence of Malaysia: A Gateway into Malay Culture" and "Wild Malaysia: Exploring Sights Unseen".
Both itineraries are three nights long, with Pullman cabins starting at US$3,410 per person. Meals, beverages, entertainment, and activities are all included in the price.