These units operate in Denmark. Not being hamstrung by pointless safety regulations mean they can have a little fun with the front. The huge gasket feature looks soft, cuddly almost and very safe. The passenger experience here is all about reassurance and the cosy domesticity and sanity of the every day, all loaded with the latest values that modernity can offer

One of my favourites, the Class 43, here seen at Paddington. Now tremendously innefficient but stylistically representitive of the compromise decisions of British rail during the 1970s and, in this respect, it caries a burden of sadness at the opposrtunities missed. Nonetheless, from a design perspective there is a blanace of power and speed here most notable in the gentle and non aggressive angle of the front incline.

Also in Helsinki, this unit feels part of the international move toward extremely dull train design, I’m assuming that developments in computer modelling software have directed this. However, I couldn’t help but notice the rear view mirrors. I’ve never seen that anywhere else, it’s endearing and communicates naivety to me something a little toy-like and plastic.

The first of two images from a recent trip to Helsinki. I don’t know much about the history of Finnish railways but I just can’t get away from the feeling of a society with an extreme past. There is something in the visual cues, perhaps the lines on the side of the unit or the concertina doors that puts me in mind of Soviet Russia trains or those that still exist on the Italian network, a leftover from Mussolini.

Perhaps I like these locomotives (Class 47, Paddington, UK, 2009) because of a sense of nostalgia more than anything else but, nonetheless, there is just something extremely well balanced about their proportions and their suggested power. I don’t get the sense that there is any wasted interior space and while the outside has a functional charm. British railway engineering at its most funding-starved minimal best.

This must be one of the best train designs in Britain at the moment. The Heathrow express, seen today at Paddington station. I think it’s been really successful at finding the right curvature for the cab and managing to integrate the window into the front, it feels monoform but with enough detail for it not to be simplistic. It’s also not hamstrung by the yellow regulation in the UK where all trains are supposed to have a bright yellow front.

UK intercity timetables from 1984

Paris, Gare St Lazarre (I think)

Normally I’d say this was a bit of a brute there is a confidence in its inverted disregard of aerodynamics. Seems like there are some strange form devices at work here too, one being anthropomorphism, the little cheeks mkae me think it’s a trier of an engine. Then there is the lightening strike, Z shape, I can’t think of a better cue for saying ‘I run on electricity’.

Vienna

This one is so producty. I think there is loads in the surfaces that feel entirely relevant for much smaller scale product design.

Danish intercity train

Milan

Hamburg

I’m a great fan of Germany and especially teir their trains. This one commands the space it’s in, makes me think of going on a three day rail trip, something only a loco-drawn train can do.

DMU in Edinburgh about 1990

I love these old British diesels. They seem to have a glossiness and weight that lends them an air of substantiality, that acting in concert with some pleasing proportions make me feel they were well ahead of their time.