An article in CNN reports of the world’s first private luxury train concept.
Personal luxury train
Long-distance rail travel seemed like it might just end a few years ago, but a lot has changed since then. The classic style of travel is now having some revival, as travelers look for eco-friendly ways to see the world.
Several new trains and routes are currently in the pipeline, including Italy’s “Dolce Vita Train”, which is set to run 10 routes through the country’s most famous landscapes, and the Midnight Train, a night train from Paris to 12 different European destinations. There is an upcoming network of services across. .
However, French designer Thierry Gaugen plans to take the rail travel experience to an entirely new level with his latest concept, a personal luxury train built to measure up to one lucky and very wealthy, owner. .
Gaugen, who has worked with famed designer Philippe Starck on countless projects, is known for his impressive yacht designs, including Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ 80-metre vessel Venus, but also a train concept. It is his first attempt.
Described as a magnificent “castle on rails”, the 400-metre-long train will be made of 14 cars and glass so technologically advanced that it can change from opaque to full transparency.
‘Castle on Rails’
“This train is conceived for a unique owner,” Gaugen tells Granthshala Travel. “It is not a public train or a passenger train.”
“The owner we envision is someone who is aware of the uniqueness of this train and understands that we are not just talking about transportation. It is about the journey, not you from point A to point B. How fast do you get there?”
Gaugen feels that travel has become more focused on speed than on actual travel, and sees the G train as a mode of transport where riders have as much fun on the way to their chosen destination. Maybe, if not more.
“Travel is not about speed,” he says. “It’s about taking time, because time is the only treasure we have.” And it’s not just the exterior of the train that can be changed at the flick of a switch, passengers “can also change the interior of the train, no matter what section they are in.”
If they want to be sure of the outside environment, they can switch to transparent mode, but if they want to create their own views, they can change the glass to opaque and create any scene they want.
“The train is a platform,” explains Gaugen. “You can change the light, the weather, or the motion to change your relationship over time.”
Although luxury trains may not seem like the most obvious transition from motor yacht design, Gaugen believes the idea first came to his mind when he was a child, explaining that trains had always fascinated him. has done.
“There’s something wonderful about trains,” he explains. “There are a lot of romantic ideas attached to them.”
Slow down time
But Gaughan had a special one in mind when he conceived the G Train, the widow of billionaire Laurene Powell Jobs, Steve Jobs.
“When this idea came to my mind, I was thinking of him as a potential user,” he admits.
He hasn’t found any customers yet and admits that he may have to find a “crazy person” like himself to buy the train. It is expected to cost around $350 million and the project will take at least two and a half years to complete.
“Maybe the person who buys the train will start a new chapter in their life,” he says. “because we [travelers] Constantly in a hurry.”
“We need some time to slow down the inner journey to understand where we want to go and to understand our desires.”
With space for approximately 18 overnight guests, the G Train is set to run at 160 kilometers per hour and will be adapted to run on railways across the US and Europe.
Gaugen has brought in several experts such as Swiss train maker Stadler, glass maker Saint-Gobain, UK engineering firm Eckersley O’Callaghan and security company Marine Guard to ensure the design is “feasible”.
“Such a train is very complicated,” he explains. “Because there is no train running on all tracks around the world that complies with all the systems.”
Enjoy the present
Passengers enter the center of the train through the reception hall, which leads to its main residential area which includes the owner’s accommodation and entertainment space as well as an area for special guests, a social room, as well as the Grand Saloon. which is specially designed. to welcome.
Guests will also have access to a “secret” garden, while train wings can be folded to create an alfresco terrace where parties can be held, or even onboard concerts. can.
The G train can be split into two if the people on board the ship decide they want to go in different directions.
The concept comes as overnight/long-distance rail travel continues to resurface, with Austria’s OBB teaming up with Germany’s Deutsche Bahn, France’s SNCF and the Swiss Federal Railways to introduce new “nightjet” routes with sleeper trains between Zurich and Barcelona. announced the launch. next four years.
As travelers become more aware of their carbon footprint, new interest in train travel is fueled by concerns about the environment.
Gaugen says he is not surprised that things are moving in this direction, and predicts that trains will be even more popular in the coming years.
“The train is not an object from the past,” he says. “Trains are getting from present now. Stability is a major reason.”
“When it comes to traveling goods there is nothing more durable than trains. Aircraft are far behind, and other modes consume a lot of energy.”
“There will be more and more vehicles for the future. And we have in mind to make a vehicle for the future with this train. The marriage of extreme luxury and the best of technology.”
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Source: CNN
