US RAIL CRUISER

What if....?

Client: Self Originated
Year: 2023
Sector: Mobily
Services: Product Design, Innovation, Digital, Services, Business Strategy Branding & Communication

Project Brief

This project explores a Travel / Leisure service that could have happened if the North American Rail had developed as the European rail network.

This project analyzes a thread in the North American leisure culture: Cruising + Camping.

Drive to Nature and see the amazing landscapes and landmarks is an activity fully driven by private vehicles. This experience involves either cars, trucks or mobile-homes.

The aim of this study dives into the activity experience and export the services and feels from the private vehicle onto a public transport mode.

Since Railways is considered a public service we wanted to open the range of users/groups of users and experiences to build a catalogue of solutions that can compete with the private option.

This US Rail Cruiser recovers the spirit of the origins of the railway system, when trans-continental trips were expeditions and moved populations from East to West Coast. This Discovery mindset is the motto for the project.

Rail Cruiser is more than a cruise on rails. Clients can decide independently, the route, the times of stay in the conditioned resorts, the spots to see, the type of accommodation, etc. It is like an organized vacation which includes all the privacy and freedom a discovery trip shall provide.

US Round Trip. Sample of circular route, with possible stops in Resorts with 10 hours average hours between spots.

It is a new railway business model that distances itself from the historical Hotel Trains and is closer to luxury expedition Trip, which can be enjoyed alone, as a couple, a small group or a family, including accessibility solutions within the modularity.

For the exterior we have chosen a “dystopic” graphic to generate a EMU/DMU with a bold presence so can easily call the attention and curiosity of those who see it. And can easily be associated with a unique travel experience.

The Interior design proposals cover some of the basic traveler offers regarding number and type of service. The “apartment” and eco-friendly feel wish to communicate a comfortable and green way to make an expedition to know the Country in a convenient and relaxed way.

This concept relies on the actual rail network and only needs extra rail infrastructure where there is a technical stop or where there is a rail resort for coaches to stay some days. All services in the rail resort are to be defined depending on the type of activity the spot can offer. (all sort of watersports near sea/river/pond, mountain activities, city sightseen, vehicle rental, etc)

Each Car includes a pivoting terrace that only can be deployed once the module is stopped at the Resort mode. The platform faces the landscape providing private chill out space.

Each Resort has a railway loop managed by a small maneuvering machine to locate the Cars in each private area.
Once the car is located in the private space of the Resort, it has multiple services to expand the experience: Scheduled excursions, restaurants, outdoor Chill Out Spaces, Swimming Pool, Private BBQ areas, laundry, shops...