In 1874, the visionary Belgian civil engineer and railway entrepreneur, Georges Nagelmackers, founded the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL), also known as the "Orient Express" and the International Sleeping-Car Company. His ambitious goal was to create a network of opulent long-distance passenger trains across Europe, drawing inspiration from the renowned Pullman night trains in the United States. Among these envisioned connections was a direct cross-continental link between Saint Petersburg and Lisbon, aiming to seamlessly connect with ocean liners bound for America. However, the complexity of this concept proved insurmountable, leading to the emergence of two distinct connections: the Sud Express from Paris to Lisbon and the Nord Express from Paris to Saint Petersburg.
Before World War I
The Nord Express embarked on its inaugural journey from France to the Russian capital on May 9, 1896. This pioneering train service allowed travelers to traverse Europe in a remarkably fast and comfortable manner. To operate the Nord Express, CIWL negotiated contracts and timetable agreements with fourteen railway administrations, including nine Prussian administrations. Additionally, agreements were made for the ferry service across the English Channel between Dover and Ostend. The route extended from Paris and Ostend, with a connection from London, passing through Brussels, Cologne, Hanover, Berlin, Königsberg (now Kaliningrad), and Dvinsk (now Daugavpils) before reaching Saint Petersburg. Passengers traveling to and from Russia had to change trains in East Prussia at the German/Russian border due to the wider gauge of Russian railway tracks compared to those in Western Europe. In Paris, a connecting service to the Sud Express, bound for Lisbon, enhanced the overall connectivity of the Nord Express.
Interwar Period
Following World War I and the Russian Revolution, the train's route underwent modifications, shortening its journey to Warsaw and Riga instead of Saint Petersburg.
Post-War Period
In the aftermath of World War II, the "iron curtain" divided Europe, leading to a further redirection of the once-luxurious and, since 1951, ordinary night train's route. It now passed through Paris, Hamburg, Copenhagen, and ultimately reached Stockholm and Oslo. The advent of air travel and high-speed rail marked the eventual demise of this illustrious train. By 2007, its route had been further truncated, operating between Paris and Hamburg and completing the journey in 10.5 hours.
