Trains can be cute!

[whole diary]

[stuving]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

The first of Glasgow's brand new Subway trains has been seen on the city's system for the first time.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT^▸ (Signal Post Telephone)) said two trial exercises had taken place successfully in the Glasgow Subway.

The first bespoke train - built by contractors Stadler and Hitachi - rolled into the system on 5 December.

Tests were carried out while the Subway was closed to the public at night.

The milestone is part of the system's modernisation programme and marks the start of extensive testing of the new trains that will continue throughout next year.

Glasgow subway trains do of course have a bit of a track record where cuteness is concerned, since they have to be small and round to make best use of the tunnels. They also need small wheels, for a train, at about half a metre. Being made by Stadler means some other design peculiarities too; the two centre vehicles have one one bogie apiece. More details from their data sheet.

[Bmblbzzz]

Something about the roundness, coupled with the large headlights and expanse of frontal glass, makes it look like The Future, circa 1969. Could they get Buzz Aldrin to drive one? Or maybe Barbarella?

[JayMac]

There is indeed a retro 1960s design vibe going on. Are there some of these seats onboard?



And perhaps this for the moquette for other seating.

[paul7575]

Interesting that the very small size, (in terms of the “frontal diameter”), seems to hide the fact that the four segments of the walk through train only total 40m overall…

Paul

[stuving]

Something about the roundness, coupled with the large headlights and expanse of frontal glass, makes it look like The Future, circa 1969. Could they get Buzz Aldrin to drive one? Or maybe Barbarella?

They are meant to drive themselves - eventually.

[TonyK]

Something about the roundness, coupled with the large headlights and expanse of frontal glass, makes it look like The Future, circa 1969. Could they get Buzz Aldrin to drive one? Or maybe Barbarella?

To infinity and beyond! (clockwise or anti-clockwise).