European Railroad Discussion > All Aboard! Ireland's first luxury sleeper train launches

All Aboard! Ireland's first luxury sleeper train launches today
The Grand Hibernian
Irish Independent
Pól Ó Conghaile, Travel writer
30/08/2016 | 01:00

> The Belmond Grand Hibernian, billed as Ireland's first luxury sleeper
> train, launches in Dublin today.
>
> The luxury train includes 10 carriages, 20 en-suite cabins, two
> dining cars and an observation car, all refurbished by specialist
> outfitters.
>
> The Grand Hibernian's inaugural journey will be a 'Grand Tour of
> Ireland', a six-night itinerary departing Huston Station at around
> 2.30pm today.
>
> Costs for the project have not been released, but prices for Grand
> Hibernian itineraries range from €3,160pp for two nights, to €5,420pp
> for four and €7,722pp for six.
>
> Predominantly aimed at the US, UK and European markets, Belmond says
> hundreds of bookings have already been taken for the luxury train
> journeys.
>
> The company also operates the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and
> Belmond Royal Scotsman, among other trains and luxury properties.
> Belmond's 'Royal Scotsman' - a model for the Grand Hibernian
>
> Belmond is paying Irish Rail to provide operational support,
> including haulage and stabling, it has said, with no State aid sought
> or given by the Irish government.
>
> The Grand Hibernian was refurbished and fitted by 40 skilled
> craftsmen at specialist outfitters Mivan Marine Ltd. in Belfast over
> the past year.
>
> Each of the ten midnight blue carriages are named after Irish
> counties - Kildare, Wexford, Sligo, Kerry, Down, Waterford, Leitrim,
> Fermanagh, Donegal and Carlow.
>
> Interior designs, by James Park Associates, reflect Dublin's Georgian
> Architecture with inspiration taken from the flora and fauna of Irish
> landscape.

Link to article, with photos:

Ireland's first luxury sleeper train launches today

The Wanderer's website has plenty of pictures of the Grand Hibernian during its working up runs

https://thewandererphotos.smugmug.com/