Lucinda O’Sullivan’s restaurant review: It’s full steam ahead for The Pullman at Glenlo Abbey as it embarks on a new journey under chef Angelo Vagiotis

There’s a new driver behind the engine of The Pullman at Glenlo Abbey in Galway and he’s certainly building up a head of steam. He’s taking this unique dining setting on an exciting journey, transforming it into the kind of destination that is sure to cause buzz and excitement. Consisting of two historic Pullman locomotive dining carriages, with beautiful inlaid walnut-panelled walls, creamy lacquered curved ceilings with gold beading and richly upholstered seating, one carriage — called Leona — dates back to 1927 and was part of the original Orient Express travelling Europe in the first half of the 20th century.

The glamorous passengers who sat in these carriages when the train was in service are perhaps only outshone by stars like Sean Connery and Ingrid Bergman, who boarded them when they featured in 1974’s Murder on the Orient Express..