Inspiro-ing the Piccadilly Line – a look at TfL’s new trains
Transport for London (TfL) and Siemens Mobility have unveiled the detailed design of the new generation Tube trains for the Piccadilly line, which will soon be in production to replace the existing 1970s fleet. 94 new Siemens Inspiro ‘2024 Stock’ trains are due for delivery starting in 2025. The state-of-the-art Tube trains will significantly improve […]
8 books you MUST have on your bookshelf if you love transport and design
Do you know your Arial from your Helvetica, from your Rail Alphabet? Here are 8 books you need on your shelf
A hundred years of Johnston – the iconic typeface of the London Underground
Paul Wilson, University of Leeds It’s been 100 years since the London Underground’s distinctive typeface made its first appearance. Alongside the unmistakable roundel, Johnston has helped to create some of the most recognisable signage in the world: a design which screams “London!”, no matter which language you speak. It has guided Londoners and visitors alike […]
London Transport Museum throws open the doors to Acton Depot to celebrate Capital Design
London’s Transport Museum threw open the doors to its design heritage this weekend. (Note: This article is about an event which took place on 21 & 22 April 2018.) Capital Design will take place at London Transport’s Acton Depot on 21 and 22 April, revealing the Museum’s vast and rarely seen treasure trove of vintage vehicles, […]
Arts et Métiers: a hidden wonder of the Paris Métro
Sci-fi nerds unite! Arts et Métiers is surely a contender for the title of the ‘world’s most surreal subway station’. Arts et Métiers is a Métro station that you’re less likely to visit than most. It’s nestled away on Line 11, one of the shortest lines on the Paris Métro, and is starkly lacking in tourist attractions […]
Transport on Trend: free wifi
‘Free wifi’ became the buzzword (or rather, phrase) of public transport bodies across the globe during 2013. With one transport group trialling free wifi on rail services out of London Paddington and equipping its entire 800-strong bus fleet in Manchester with wifi by 2014 (at a cost of £1million), it’s clear that operators believe that the internet truly has […]
Siemens: inspiring the future
Siemens’ vision for the future of the Tube has been showcased at its urban development centre – The Crystal – in London. The Inspiro family is the next-generation of metro train from the German company. The full-size mock-up displayed at the Royal Victoria Docks in London is a brand new design created exclusively for the Tube […]
Harry Beck – 80 years
The late Harry Beck this week received a blue plaque on the 80th anniversary of his Tube map’s first appearance. Beck’s map, created in 1933, would set the future standard for London Tube maps (and indeed, transit maps the world over). His design, though updated over time, remains in use right up to the present […]