Do the locomotive

Trains are a smart, smooth way to travel. A well-designed train can connect communities and make business and leisure a pleasure. Sadly, many railway companies are relying on old rolling stock and tired notions of onboard hospitality, occasionally excelling in one area while falling short in another (big windows but small seats, for example). 

That’s why we’re designing our own. If we were to chart a route, our train would offer unrivalled connections, reaching areas not readily served by routes that cross state and national borders. To make this vision a reality, we’ve enlisted a wish list of global talent to create a train that gets you where you want to go on time, and in style. So grab a ticket and hop on The Monocle Express. All aboard! — L

1.
proper dining cars
First-class fare

Dinner service often feels dull, so The Monocle Express is reinstating the refined onboard restaurant. Our train takes inspiration from the blue dining cars found on Switzerland’s Rhätische Bahn and older carriages belong to state operator sbb. Staff, who wait tables covered with crisp linen and tableware, are trained in a finely tuned apprenticeship programme that’s the gold standard in the hospitality sector.

2.
good bar car
One for the rail

Our bar car has an actual bar, helmed by staff trained by the team at Berlin’s Château Royal. There’s a variety of seating, including freestanding armchairs and stools by French firm Alki, ensuring that the space feels domestic and calming, while providing moments for a team drink or solitary sip on the last train home. As for the menu? We’ll be serving wines local to the route, beers and cocktails.

3.
service trolley
Rolling stock

A trolley serving pretzels, wine and coffee ensures that passengers are always sated. To keep the peace, its wheels are smooth and quiet, and the trolley is thin so that it doesn’t bang into seats as it passes down the aisle.

4.
proper cooking
Flavour of the month

The kitchen serves classics that passengers look forward to. Its bakery makes great sourdough and the spaghetti bolognese is ideal for late-night commutes. Emerging chefs also devise seasonal menus that capture the best of regional produce.

5.
gentle lighting
Subtle distinction

Good lighting can make or break a space. As such, the whole train is illuminated by warm-hued lights that are recessed in subtle ceiling grooves, creating a diffused glow and a relaxing atmosphere. And yes, those are real candles on the tables in the dining car.

6.
on-platform kiosk
Sales pitch

For those who can’t wait until they board the train for refreshments, there’s a small kiosk on the platform, similar to the set-ups found across Japan. It’s stocked with the day’s newspapers, the best magazines and a surprising selection of pocketbooks. Depending on the station, we’re also working with the very best local coffee roasters and, of course, the baristas are always sunny.

7.
later departures
Railway sleepers

Our timetable also offers late departures so that you can enjoy dinner in Paris and still roll into Zürich at 04.00. Rather than a proper sleeper service, special seats go into deep recline, lights go down and there are fresh pillows and blankets for a solid four-hour sleep.

8.
resort routes
Station to vacation

Much like seasonal airline services connecting city dwellers with island destinations, The Monocle Express tailors its routes to passengers’ holiday preferences. A line runs across the Alps in winter and routes track Italy’s west coast in summer. Viewing carriages – inspired by Switzerland’s Bernina Express – are attached to the train for these journeys, with double-pane floor-to-ceiling windows running the length of the carriage.

9.
boarding music
Laying down the tracks

The Monocle Express is known for its superior approach to audio: signature jingles for pulling into stations, kicky boarding tracks and an infectious theme song that defines the brand in slick TV, radio and digital campaigns. Also, there’s special emphasis on training our on-board staff to sound both in control and silky smooth.

10.
business carriage
Work in progress

High-speed rail travel doesn’t mean that work can’t continue at pace. Those looking to continue wheeling and dealing in peace can book into our dedicated business carriage designed by Caon Design Office. The Australian studio, which specialises in transit interiors, has designed a timber-clad space that feels more like a cosy office than a charmless train compartment, offering acoustic relief and a calming space in which to get down to busines

11.
family pods
Letting off steam

While many rail operators have family-themed carriages, we also offer special cabins for moments when a tantrum can unsettle the other 300 passengers on board. Just as we have call cabins for chattier passengers (see below), parents should be able to have less stressful moments when junior needs to calm down. Of course, there’s a special call button when mum and dad need a calming glass of pinot bianco.

12.
phone booth
Chatter boxes

Looking for a moment of discretion? Or just want to catch up with a friend without pouring your heart out to the whole carriage? Jump into one of our soundproof phone booths. Inspired by Spanish brand Kettal’s Kall phone pod, these have a compact footprint and a glass door that provides transparency but still allows for privacy (curtains are optional). Clad in wood, it has a warm character and comes with integrated yet silent ventilation.

13.
silent cars
Train of thought

There’s an unspoken rule that noise should be kept to a minimum and sometimes it’s nice to sit still and simply watch the world go by. Our silent cars really are silent: no talking, no typing.

14.
dimmable lights
Dip, don’t dazzle

Personal reading lights should offer a gentle, direct glow – and not illuminate the carriage like a spotlight. We’ve tapped German firm Occhio to create a bespoke light system to meet this brief.

15.
particular porters
Friends of the line

Porters line the platform. They’re there to help and organise rather than just point passengers toward seats. The porter will ensure that no stray briefcases, backpack handles or coats come tumbling onto the floor. These customer-facing staff members are also on hand to make boarding as seamless as possible, by rolling bags on and off platforms. Plus, the porter team have exceptional knowledge of the towns along the route and can provide hot tips on where to go and what to see – they’re the train’s concierge service. You’ll recognise them from their uniforms by Milan’s Older Studio.

16.
soft surfaces
Curtain call

There’s a reason why our homes have curtains: they ensure privacy and offer great acoustic insulation. A train is no different and the windows of The Monocle Express are dressed in fabric drapes by Danish textile specialist Kvadrat. In addition to curtains, other plush furnishings, including seats upholstered by Italian brand Dedar, are essential onboard inclusions. Hard surfaces can amplify noise, making it difficult to have a quiet conversation, so acoustic panels made from natural materials have been prioritised over metal where possible, thanks to their acoustic absorption properties.

17.
spacious bathroom
Clean getaway

Every carriage has a bathroom, separated from passengers’ seats by the luggage storage area (so there are no unpleasant wafts). Facilities are spacious and clean, with a shelf for travellers to place their skincare products and glasses while freshening up before arrival. There’s also a custom fragrance diffused in the space, made in collaboration with London’s Perfumer H. 

18.
bathroom attendants
Groom service

This unsung hero of The Monocle Express is our toilet attendants, who keep things running. They make sure the facilities are clean and well-stocked with grooming essentials to ensure that passengers are always looking, feeling and smelling their best. 

19.
smart seating
Noble berth

We’ve turned to Marc Newson, who recently created a beautiful task chair for furniture giant Knoll, to design our bespoke seats. All are equipped with in-built phone and computer chargers, a discreet footrest and a generously proportioned timber table and reading light, which folds out from the back of every seat. With temperature controls built into the armrests, guests can warm and cool their perch, which is finished in Poltrona Frau’s Impact Less Leather.

20.
the right retail
Revenue booster

Our investors are impressed that our retail sales account for more than 15 per cent of The Monocle Express’s turnover. The kiosk near the bar car and the well-stocked trolleys offer everything from handsomely designed souvenirs, toiletries for moments when the trip becomes an overnighter and always the best in print from monocle’s presses.

21.
lounges
Comfort zone

Every journey should have a distinct starting point, which is why we’ve built a specific station for just that purpose, which also serves as a city landmark. It has dedicated passenger lounges with comfortable armchairs, complimentary newspapers and magazines, and high-speed wi-fi. For its interior design, we’ve commissioned German architecture firm Hollin 1 Radoske, after being inspired by its time-tested work on the Lufthansa First Class lounge at Frankfurt International Airport.

22.
meeting rooms
Business class

Travellers require transit lounges to provide more than simply a moment of respite. They should also comprise functional spaces in which to take important calls, draft emails and even host small meetings. As such, these dedicated workrooms are fitted out with facilities enabling conference calls and presentations, allowing business to continue at pace. 

23.
shower facilities
Signal of intent

Did you get the overnight from Milan and want to freshen up before that meeting in London this morning? (Yes, we charted a new route.) Our top-tier shower facilities have a spa-like atmosphere, with soft imabari towels, high-pressure shower heads from Spain’s Roca and a pamper pack that includes a skincare range that we created with South Korea’s Beauty of Joseon. All this will have guests looking fresh on arrival. This is about more than hygiene; it’s a statement of passenger care.

24.
play space
Fun of the fare

A train station should be a welcoming space for all, and that includes the youngest travellers. Our dedicated children’s playground transforms the potential stress point of a long wait into a joyful experience. We’ve taken inspiration from our favourite playgrounds (designed by Dutch firm Carve), with a bouldering wall and a train-shaped climbing structure. It’s a small but significant step towards inspiring and engaging the next generation of rail travellers. 

25.
nap rooms
Bed and boarding

Train travel can be an exhausting process, especially when crossing time zones or involving early departures. To help travellers feel fresher on arrival, our dedicated nap room allows passengers to grab a quick moment of shut-eye. This appropriately lit space is equipped with comfortable loungers for shorter rests and sleep pods for those in need of a longer snooze. The result? Passengers who feel refreshed and ready to embark on their next adventure.