All Aboard The 'Train of the Future'
30/07/2025
As part of the Railway 200 celebrations, a cross-industry partnership celebrating 200 years of the modern railway, LNER has gazed into the future to predict what train travel could look like in the year 2075.
Partnering with Applied Futurist Tom Cheesewright, and asking train passengers of today what they would most like to see in 50 years’ time, the predictions have been brought to life as windows into the future in the LNER ‘Train of the Future’, stationed at London King’s Cross July 30th - August 1st.
Cheesewright predicts that 2075 train carriages could be focused on maximum comfort, entertainment and wellness. Train travel might not just be about getting from ‘A-to-B’ – but it would be transformed into a full holistic experience that promotes passenger health and wellbeing.
Key features of a ‘Train of the Future’ could include floor-to-ceiling windows providing beautiful 360-degree views of the landscape. This sounds ideal for the 57% of people questioned, who agreed that simply gazing out at the countryside is their favourite thing to do on a train. In addition, an augmented reality layer, adding surreal scenes and gamification options, could please the 60% who say they need constant entertainment whilst travelling.
With speed being one of the main reasons those surveyed used train travel (66%),Cheesewright predicts that new technologies could allow UK trains to go even faster, further slashing travel times. This starts with making the trains more aerodynamic, using quantum computing and AI together, which would allow for thousands of designs to be tested at the same time, rather than one after the other. New materials coming out of laboratories today will allow us to make these designs real, with super-stiff composites that can easily be produced in complex, organic shapes. Imagine slippery shapes inspired by sea creatures or birds. These new materials combined with technologies like 3D printed metals would allow for trains to be lighter, stronger and stiffer, reaching high speeds with much less energy.
According to Cheesewright, it is predicted that new levels of customer convenience could also be in place. Facial recognition technology might replace ticket barriers, while travellers’ onward journeys could be sorted by individual travel pods designed for platform picks-ups.
As having some time to sit back and relax is a top benefit of train travel for 44% of passengers, the introduction of ‘smart’ seats could take customer comfort to the next level. Each seat could adjust to the customers’ microenvironment, setting the temperature and seat firmness from pre-saved preferences. There could even be the option to book safe standing treadmill seats, giving travellers the chance to get their steps in on long journeys.
Cheesewright’s predictions have been brought to life in a first-of-its kind installation from LNER. The new Train of the Future launches Wednesday 30th July at London King’s Cross Station. Running for three days, Wednesday 30th July to Friday 1st August, it features state of the art visual depictions of what the future of train travel might bring.
As part of the Railway 200 celebrations, LNER also surveyed 2,000 people across the UK on what they would like to see on trains in 50 years’ time, with cinema-style onboard entertainment (36%), wellness pods (23%), and onboard nap pods (23%) topping the list. These are closely followed by pre-programmed smart seats (22%) and designated pet zones (21%).
Beyond the elements adding to the in-seat experience, 21% want the trains of the future to have self-balancing food trays and family fun zones (19%) to help make journeys with kids more comfortable.
The top ten future train advancements Brits would most like to see are:
Cinema-style onboard entertainment (36%)
Wellness carriages (23%)
On train nap pods (22%)
Pre-programmed smart seats (22%)
Pet zones (21%)
Self-balancing food trays (21%)
Family playrooms (19%)
Odourless food (19%)
Onboard concierge for destination recommendation (16%)
Neurodivergent-friendly areas (16%)
Rachel Pope, Head Of Digital Experience Strategy for LNER said: “LNER has always been at the forefront of railway innovation, so it makes sense that now - while celebrating the last 200 years of the modern railway - we also look forward to what may be ahead.
From taking our beautiful views to the next level, to high-tech innovations in comfort and catering, through to continuing to drive sustainability in our sector - the possibilities shared by our futurologist are exciting.
It’s a very special year for the railway industry, we're participating in nationwide festivities, including various exhibitions showcasing the impact of the railways on society and celebrating the past, present, and future of rail travel.”
Tom Cheesewright, applied futurist said: “Imagining train travel in 50 years means thinking about everything that will be possible, such as new technologies and innovations, but also thinking about what we will want and need from the trains of the future. Where possibilities and need collide, we see a fantastic vision. The train journey of the future will be smooth from start to finish, aided by AI planning, ticketless travel, and floor to ceiling windows. The train of the future will look like a science-fiction marvel: swooping and organic, powerful and quiet, and with an onboard experience that connects us to the countryside around us, or the digital world, or even a seamless combination of the two.”
LNER Train of the Future will be open from 9:00am - 5:00pm in London’s King’s Cross Station on Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st July and Friday 1st August 2025.
