Gallery: The Design Thinking Behind London's New $4B Subway Trains

  • Image may contain Vehicle Transportation Automobile Sports Car Car Tire and Coupe
    Photo: PriestmanGoode
    01

    NTfL Exterior Outdoor Dawn-021014

    The London Underground revealed new plans today for subway cars, designed by British travel design firm PriestmanGoode.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Transportation Train Terminal and Train Station
    Photo: PriestmanGoode
    02

    NTfL Exterior Tunnel-021014

    The $4 billion subway cars will replace trains on the Piccadilly, Central, Waterloo, and City and Bakerville lines, and are aimed at accommodating London’s booming commuter population for the next several decades.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Transportation Train Locomotive Terminal and Train Station
    Photo: PriestmanGoode
    03

    NTfL Exterior Blue Studio-021014

    One way to do that is by fostering a more efficient commute. These cars will have bigger doors, and more of them, to prevent passenger bottlenecks.
  • Image may contain Cushion Transportation Vehicle and Train
    Photo: PriestmanGoode
    04

    NTfL Interior 02-021014

    Inside, poles tilt outwards to create more breathing room around passengers' faces and upper bodies.
  • Image may contain Building and Factory
    Photo: PriestmanGoode
    05

    NTfL Interior 03-021014

    The seats will stay upholstered, a nod to the previous Tube trains.
  • Image may contain Cushion Furniture and Bed
    Photo: PriestmanGoode
    06

    NTfL Interior 05-021014

    All told, the London Underground estimates that PriestmanGoode’s trains will allow for anywhere between 25 and 60 percent more passengers, depending on the line.
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