A new chapter in luxury rail travel is set to unfold in England this summer as the iconic British Pullman unveils an extraordinary new private dining and events carriage conceived by filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and Oscar-winning costume and production designer Catherine Martin.

Created for Belmond, the lavish new carriage pushes the British Pullman into more immersive territory, blending the glamour of classic rail travel with the kind of rich storytelling usually reserved for film and theater. Newly launched aboard the historic train, Celia is designed for intimate celebrations, private dinners, and bespoke events for up to 12 people. The carriage includes its own lounge, bar, and kitchen, along with a dedicated guest experience curator — a newly created role focused entirely on tailoring each journey for Celia passengers. But its cinematic narrative may be what truly distinguishes Celia.

Inside Baz Luhrmann’s Theatrical Vision on Rails

Beyond simply creating a beautifully appointed train car, Luhrmann and Martin have crafted an entirely fictional world centered on a mysterious 1930s West End actress named Celia. According to the story, she was awarded her own Pullman carriage following a triumphant performance as Titania in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Every detail in the carriage draws from this imagined history, transforming the journey into something closer to a moving stage set than traditional luxury transport.

The interiors are richly layered with references to English pastoral landscapes, Shakespearean symbolism, and the opulent visual language synonymous with Luhrmann’s iconic visual feast films like “Moulin Rouge!” and “The Great Gatsby”. Tri-color marquetry panels depicting countryside scenes line the walls, while Celia herself appears immortalized as Titania among the imagery. Pansies — Titania’s symbolic flower in Shakespeare’s play — recur throughout the carriage in textiles, carvings, and decorative motifs.

A custom parquet floor mirrors the intricate marquetry overhead, creating the subtle illusion of moving through an enchanted English woodland as the countryside rolls by outside. Oversized velvet curtains divide the carriage into a series of theatrical “acts,” parting mid-journey to reveal the dining salon with all the drama of a stage production. There’s a bespoke signature scent, too, personally selected by Luhrmann and Martin, while a cocktail program, created exclusively for Celia, adds another layer to the experience.

Glamorous Day Trips

Classic day journeys through the English countryside include a Sunday lunch itinerary departing from London Victoria, as well as grand excursions to Blenheim Palace and Chatsworth House. Celia can be chartered exclusively for select journeys from £17,500. For Belmond, Celia is more than a glamorous new addition to the British Pullman — it’s a reflection of how luxury travel is evolving, with storytelling becoming just as essential as the destination itself.

All photos courtesy Belmond.