Inside the train carriage
Trains were made for more than the daily commute. We'd go so far as to say they're a work of art (some of them, at least). A feat of engineers, transport planners and designers. Aboard the carriages of some of the most remarkable trains, we find relics of the past, and precursors to the future. Designed for beauty, speed, or sheer novelty (much like Japan's Pokemon Train).
So let wood panelling and plush seats set the tone. Panoramic windows for prime viewing across Alpine vistas, or pastel-tones that plunge you straight into a Wes Anderson reverie. Read on for our insider's deep-dive into the train carriage: the weird, and the wonderful.
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Wikimedia Commons/Jean Bertin's Aérotrain: The Story of a French Genius and His Failure
France's 1964 Aérotrain
Straight from the pages of a Sci-fi novel, the Aérotrain was a revolutionary mode of transport that never quite lifted off. A precursor to the TGV reaching 300 km/h on an air-cushioned track, it was shortly abandoned in 1974, with remnants like the Limours to Gometz-la-Ville track now serving as pathways for walkers.
Pavol Svantner
The Wuppertal Schwebebahn
Europe’s only suspension monorail, Wuppertal's 'upside down train' is anything but a tourist gimmick; it is an essential part of the city's public transport network, carrying thousands of passengers as part of their daily commute. Beloved by locals for its reliability and the unique perspective it offers of the city – we'll take it over the Central line, any day.
Techno Train Nürnberg
Techno train
Twice a year, a unique train prepares to depart from Nuremberg Central Station. Enter the Techno Train: a non-stop rave on rails launched by the Nuremberg nightclub, House 33. With no marketing apart from social media, tickets get snapped up in minutes — keep an eye on their Instagram for the next event (in the meantime, we’ll be living vicariously through the live stream of DJ duo, Teksasy). Expect techno, low-fi and house – and some lovely views of the Bavarian countryside.
@eden__1202
The GoldenPass
Along Switzerland’s GoldenPass Line from Montreux and Zweisimmen runs two services: the Panoramic Service — or the GoldenPass Belle Époque, a serious rival to the interiors of the acclaimed Orient Express, without the exclusive price tag. It’s one of the better-value trains in Europe that still exudes the old-world luxury from trains of the golden age.
jag9889
Stoosbahn, Switzerland
The circular design of Switzerland's Stoosbahn cabin allows passengers to retain an upright position while ascending the steepest funicular railway in the world (a 110% gradient, to be precise). Train carriages don't get any more panoramic than this, with transparent wrap-around windows offering views across the mountainous canton of Schwyz.
