HI, Mark, sorry to see that old perennial train go! I only rode it once, from Erzerum Turkey to France. Interesting trip...As the train came to each national border, the entire crew got off and a new crew from the country being entered got on and took over, rechecking pasports, etc. I almost got dropped off in the Beograd (Belgrade) train depot at 2:00 am; I reborded and got my same compartment, and sat there until a conductor banged on the outside window and asked me why I was still there... it turns out that the Orient express dropped cars off as it went along and the passengers were expected to move forward. so who knew? also, in 2nd class you were supposed to take your own bedding, they just proveded a pull out shelf to sleep on. so who knew?