Luxury rail specialist The Leading Trains bolsters UK team

Luxury rail specialist The Leading Trains has appointed former Tauck sales manager Tom Dumbrell as UK and Europe sales director. 

Founded earlier this year by Italian company Arsenale Group, which is the parent of several luxury hospitality brands, The Leading Trains comprises a portfolio of eight luxury rail journeys, including La Dolce Vita Orient Express and Golden Eagle Luxury Trains.

The collection also features several rail operators which are yet to launch, such as Saudi Arabia’s Dream of the Desert and Uzbekistan’s The Samarkand Express, both expected in late 2026, as well as Egypt’s Guardian of the Nile, slated for 2027. 

Having started the role on March 16, Dumbrell will be responsible for supporting agents with sales, reporting to global sales director Fabiola Monno. 

Most recently, he was national sales manager at Tauck River Cruises, which followed roles at Swan Hellenic, ROL Cruise, Belmond, APT Luxury Cruising & Touring and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.

Dumbrell told Aspire’s sister title Travel Weekly: “This is an exciting new role and venture that I am delighted to be part of.

“Luxury rail journeys or ‘train cruising’ is such an important and thriving sector, with guests increasingly seeking rich, slow-travel experiences that unveil every facet of a destination while drawing them away from their normal life and routine.

“I am here to support travel professionals in selling our growing collection.”

Dumbrell added one of his priorities would be providing "greater education” to agents on luxury rail experiences as well as group travel and charter opportunities.

He said: “Rail travel is something that I have always been deeply passionate about, but the ability to combine an ever-changing postcard view with world-class hospitality is something that has very broad appeal, and significant opportunities for prospective partners, most notably those with luxury cruise and touring clients.”