Modern Interior Design for Trains

Why are most interiors of today's trains still so dull and unattractive -compared to other types of transport - be it private cars, passenger planes or ships? When we include interiors of other "public spaces" into our comparison -like small restaurants or cafes, hotel-lobbies, shops, reception-areas of companies or modern office environments, this discrepancy becomes even more evident. Looking at these public interiors more closely, we will realize, that despite of their different functions and use-environments, most of them have similar combinations of materials, have design-consistency from the overall layout up to the smallest detail, use lighting in a similar way or have a similar approach in balancing contrasts - in short, that they have a similar 'modern' design language. It therefore is difficult to understand, why this modern design language is not being used as a basis in designing modern train interiors as well.
I think this is because even today, the vision and creativity of train-engineers, designers and their clients - the railway companies, are often restricted by an old-fashioned idea of a characteristic 'train-image.This is combined with their desire to create vandalism-safe interiors, using vandalism-resistant materials or relying on traditional small-series production techniques.They are often unaware, that in other areas, i.e. in modern architecture or modern furniture, new production- and surface technologies or new material-combinations are already 'state of the art' at reasonable prices and with excellent use-characteristics.
For me, the most important thing in changing the image of train interiors therefore is the willingness to learn from others what is possible and to see how it can be applied to train design. During the last years the scope of work of train designers has changed drastically - from selecting textiles and colors to creating 'travel environments'!
Today, many times, we are given a head start by railway companies to look for new solutions in car layout, in service and comfort or the development of practical details which will make travel in a train more comfortable, more attractive, for different types of users. In my opinion, this is just the beginning of a new approach in train design- exterior and interior. With a career in train design of more than 25 years and having worked with different development teams and railway companies in Europe and Japan, I am quite aware of restrictions and limitations which are specific to trains. On the other hand, I have experienced as well how creative and motivated engineers and railway project-managers have overcome seemingly unsurpassable barriers. The following examples of new interiors for subways, regional trains and high-speed trains are meant to illustrate this new 'state of the art' in train interiors. They not only show a different type of design, but are the result of a different designer-client-relationship, a new dimension in interdisciplinary-teamwork between customer, designer and engineer as well.

1. The New Munich Subway

The Munich Subway Authorities and Neumeister-Design, jointly developed the design study for the next generation of subway trains, based on a careful analysis of passenger demands and 25 years of practical operation experience.
Only after the train-design was approved by City Authorities, it became integral part of the technical description for bidding by industry.The new subway is fully walk-through and features an innovative interior layout with upholstered vis-a-vis seating towards the middle and curved side seats in laminated wood at the front and rear of the train. Cantilever mounted seats, curved hand-rails with glass partitions, sidewall lighting, fresh colors are some of the design features of this interior. A design language, which aims to create an fresh, functional and inviting atmosphere.

1. Exterior of first production train
2. Side wall seating with beach chairs at the front section
3. Interior with clean and open image
4. Center area with vis-a-vis seating and upholstered seats

2. Kyushu Railway Company and the Designs of Eiji Mitooka

In close collaboration with the management of Kyushu Railway Company, the free-lance designer Eiji Mitooka and his team, over the years have developed a unique and very attractive design language for the whole fleet of Kyushu Railway Company's Trains. In close cooperation with the engineers at Hitachi Kasado Works, new material combinations, surfaces and lighting concepts have been developed and combined with fascinating details and high workmanship.

Various interiors for trains of Kyusyu Railways by E.Mitooka

3. The ICE 3 High-speed Trains of German Railways

A front lounge with a view of the track looking over the shoulders of the driver, varying interior travel environments featuring natural materials, such as wood, glass, metal and stone or new service areas like 'mother and child' compartments or dedicated work-spaces with large tables are just a few of the characteristics of the newest generation of German high-speed trains.
Its design resulted from a competition to which German Railways invited 3 international design-studios. A detailed briefing was purposely avoided in order to give all teams the possibility to develop innovative ideas for modern traveling-environments. Following the decision by the Board of Directors, Neumeister Design was commissioned to develop the complete exterior- and interior of the two train types, build full scale models which then were approved by Railways, prior to the detail development by Industry.

1. New driver's area with front view for passengers
2. Special compartment for "mother and child"
3. Standard class interior
4. ICE3 / ICE-T Mock-Ups 1995