Few filmmakers are as closely associated with spectacle as Baz Luhrmann. From the dazzling excess of The Great Gatsby to the theatrical romance of Moulin Rouge! , his work has always blurred the line between storytelling and fantasy. Now, the celebrated director has stepped away from the silver screen to create an experience that moves through the countryside instead of a cinema.
In collaboration with longtime creative partner and wife Catherine Martin, Luhrmann has designed an extraordinary new carriage for Belmond’s iconic British Pullman train. Named Celia , the private carriage transforms luxury rail travel into a fully immersive theatrical experience, combining vintage glamour, fine dining, and cinematic storytelling.
Set to enter service in summer 2026, Celia occupies a restored Pullman carriage dating back to 1932. While the British Pullman is already famous for its beautifully preserved Art Deco interiors and nostalgic journeys through the English countryside, this latest addition takes the concept of luxury travel to another level. Rather than simply restoring a historic railcar, Luhrmann and Martin have created an entire fictional universe around it.
The carriage is named after an imagined West End actress from the 1930s who, according to the story crafted by the designers, received her own Pullman carriage after a celebrated performance as Titania in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream . That whimsical narrative serves as the foundation for every detail inside the space, from its decorative motifs to its theatrical atmosphere.
Stepping aboard Celia is intended to feel less like boarding a train and more like entering a carefully staged production. Rich velvet furnishings, intricate marquetry, floral patterns, and dramatic color palettes create an environment that balances old-world elegance with fantasy. References to Shakespeare, vintage cinema, and London’s golden age of theatre are woven throughout the interior, resulting in a space that feels both nostalgic and dreamlike.
Designed for exclusive groups of up to 12 guests, the carriage includes a private dining room, cocktail bar, lounge area, and dedicated service spaces. The experience extends well beyond transportation. Guests can enjoy bespoke menus, curated entertainment, live performances, and personalized celebrations while traveling through some of Britain’s most picturesque landscapes.
The attention to craftsmanship is equally impressive. Martin collaborated with renowned British artisans and manufacturers to source custom furnishings, tableware, glassware, and decorative details. Every element was selected to reinforce the carriage’s narrative identity, creating a seamless blend of design, storytelling, and hospitality.
What makes Celia particularly intriguing is that it reflects a growing shift in luxury travel. Increasingly, travelers are seeking memorable experiences rather than simply premium accommodations. In that sense, Belmond is not selling a train journey. It is selling immersion, atmosphere, and a temporary escape into a world that feels removed from everyday life.
Luxury rail travel has always been associated with romance and nostalgia, but Celia adds another layer: cinematic fantasy. The carriage invites passengers to become part of a story rather than merely observe one. For a few hours, surrounded by fine food, elegant interiors, and rolling countryside views, guests are encouraged to embrace a slower pace and a more theatrical version of travel.
With Celia , Baz Luhrmann has done what he does best. He has created a world. The only difference is that this one happens to run on rails.
