An independent, trade-only hub
Luxury Train Hub is aimed exclusively at professional distribution. IATA-verified agencies, along with other agencies that have undergone rigorous vetting, are invited to join the platform. There they can access clear product information and trade-focused tools that simplify handling enquiries, preparing quotes and booking luxury trains worldwide.
The stated ambition is to make selling rail as natural as selling flights, cruises or hotels, without requiring agents to become rail experts overnight. Independent of any operator or collection, the platform intends to sit alongside the brand-led initiatives already present in the sector.
Premium rail in the spotlight
The launch comes as luxury rail attracts renewed attention worldwide, with new trains entering service, historic rolling stock being restored and routes being extended. La Tribune de l’Hôtellerie has followed this trend, notably with Accor’s relaunch of the Orient Express brand.
Against this backdrop, Luxury Train Hub aims to give frontline agents a practical way to understand, position and sell luxury rail across multiple brands as part of their day-to-day client work.
Consortia, networks and TMCs as priority targets
The platform targets agencies subject to strict financial and commercial oversight by professional travel organisations: consortia, franchised networks, travel management companies (TMCs) and agency groups with enhanced compliance requirements.
Its trade-only positioning and structured onboarding process are designed to allow these agents to meet their internal standards while adding luxury rail to their portfolio.
Paul Gridley, founder of Luxury Train Hub, explains that luxury rail is one of the most inspiring travel products, yet historically one of the hardest for busy agents to sell. He says Luxury Train Hub was created to bridge that gap: a trade-only hub that speaks agents’ language, connects them with luxury rail journeys around the world and turns interest into commissionable bookings.
Ready-to-use sales narratives
Each journey listed is presented from a sales perspective: key selling points, typical client profiles, itinerary highlights and how luxury rail fits alongside other premium products. The platform also offers market insight, training resources and ready-made sales narratives for when clients are looking for “something special by train”.
Luxury Train Hub focuses solely on the luxury rail niche and also supports pre- and post-journey arrangements.
A phased roll-out to agencies
The five-week launch programme is built around an email campaign, sending invitations and onboarding support to segmented groups of IATA-verified and other vetted agencies drawn from Luxury Train Hub’s licensed database.
These early adopters are invited to explore the platform, share feedback on its tools and content, and help shape its features ahead of a wider opening to the trade as a whole.
Simon Pielow of The Luxury Train Consultancy, which is supporting the launch of Luxury Train Hub, argues that the world’s luxury trains and legendary routes deserve to be sold with the same care and confidence that go into operating them. By giving agents a dedicated luxury rail hub, he adds, Luxury Train Hub makes it far easier for them to match the right journey to the right client, whether they work for a small independent agency or a larger organisation.
IATA-verified and rigorously vetted agencies wishing to add or strengthen luxury rail in their offering can register their interest and request access at luxurytrainhub.com.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Luxury Train Hub launches a trade-only luxury rail platform
Launched on 14 July 2026 in Reigate, England, by technology specialist Paul Gridley
Brings luxury rail journeys from multiple operators together in a single B2B hub
Open to IATA-verified and rigorously vetted agencies, including consortia, franchised networks and TMCs
Independent of any single operator, with sales narratives, training resources and market insight
Five-week launch phase with invited early adopters before wider trade roll-out
