Solo Commuter Series: What If Train Companies Designed Cars?

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Blurred motion image of a train curving along railway tracks during sunset with the London city skyline in the background, featuring iconic buildings like the Gherkin. No visible text related to used cars or new cars is present in the image.
Blurred motion image of a train curving along railway tracks during sunset with the London city skyline in the background, featuring iconic buildings like the Gherkin. No visible text related to used cars or new cars is present in the image.

As restrictions lift and people start flooding back to the office, many of us are dreading the return of regular commuting. Who really wants to book-end their days with the familiar squeeze of trains and trams? Not us.

As a result, more people than ever have taken to buying a used motors for solo, Covid-safe trips over lockdown. And this got us daydreaming... what if train companies created personal transport carriages for each passenger? You might also know these crazy concepts as, yep, cars!

But what would these train company-designed motors look like? To find out, we looked at the UK's most prolific train companies, took note of their current fleets, including carriage sizes, colours, and commuting routes, and created our own versions of what they'd look like as popular car brands.

Let's get into gear!

Avanti West Coast

A stylish yellow and blue sports car driving on a sunny road with green trees and a blue sky in the background. The car has a personalised number plate reading 'NOT V1R61N'. Text on the side of the car reads 'ARMIENT USED CARS' and '3190 0891', promoting both new cars and used cars.

Picking up where Virgin Trains left off, Avanti West Coast's motor is sleek and sporty with extra room in the back for those who want to speed through traffic in the morning.

Avanti West Coast high-speed train travelling on railway tracks in a rural area with greenery and fields in the background, with an overhead bridge and electric lines visible, no used cars or new cars present in the image.

Caledonian Sleeper

A Caledonian Sleeper camper van parked in a dense forest with tall evergreen trees in the background, featuring a distinctive navy blue and yellow colour scheme with registration plate LOW 3 SKF, suitable for travellers looking for used cars and new cars in recreational vehicles.

Taking more of a motorhome approach, the Caledonian Sleeper's motor is comfy and traditional, letting you grab a few more z's en-route to your desk.

Caledonian Sleeper train at a station platform with open carriage door showing the Caledonian Sleeper logo featuring a stag. The train is dark grey with white branding and is under a large glass and steel station roof, with benches on the platform. No references to used cars or new cars visible in the image.

Eurostar

Blue and yellow customised limousine driving on a winding coastal road with mountainous landscape and clear blue sky in the background, representing luxury vehicles including used cars and new cars.

Don't let the long silhouette fool you, Eurostar's motor is swift and speedy on the roads, perfect for a quick trip across the channel.

Eurostar high-speed train traveling on railway tracks surrounded by greenery and bushes, with fields and a red building in the background. The train has a sleek silver and yellow design with the number 5001 and the Eurostar logo on its side. Keywords used cars, new cars.

Merseyrail

A long yellow, black, and silver limousine parked on a city street surrounded by tall office buildings. The limousine has the text '03 08 1892' on the front hood and a logo with the letter 'M' on the side door. The vehicle's licence plate reads 'LTY30R PML'. The street is empty with clear road markings and the scene depicts an urban downtown area under a partly cloudy sky. Image does not show any used cars or new cars directly but could suggest urban transportation options.

Long, roomy and yellow, Merseyrail's imposing motor is the undisputed king of travelling around Liverpool City Centre.

Yellow and black modern train numbered 777 001 parked on railway tracks outside a building with the partial word 'ADLER' visible. The train is stationary on a clear day with mountains in the background, unrelated to used cars or new cars.

Northern Rail

A woman holding a black umbrella stands at a bus stop on a rainy day. The yellow bus stop sign shows bus numbers 6 and 13. A purple and yellow bus with the registration number 142027 and the name 'Northern' on its side is approaching, with destination sign displaying 'CHOO CHOO'. The street and surroundings appear wet, indicating recent rain. This image contrasts public transportation with options for used cars and new cars for travel.

Northern Rail certainly prefer practicality over flash - and what's more practical and reliable than a bus when traversing the North of England?

A Northern Rail passenger train with the number 156423 on the front, stopped at a platform with a stone wall and brick buildings in the background. The train is painted purple with yellow front ends and has 'www.northernrail.org' written on its side. The image shows no used cars or new cars, focusing instead on the train and railway station.

Southern Rail

Green and yellow compact car on a coastal road with a scenic view of ocean and fields under a partly cloudy sky. The car has the numbers '171803' on the front hood and a license plate reading '345OUTH'. Ideal image representing used cars and new cars in a scenic driving environment.

As suited to nipping around the tight streets of London as it is to the winding country lanes of Sussex, versatility is the strength of Southern Rail's little motor.

Green and white electric passenger train numbered 377 708 at a modern train station platform, featuring a distinct yellow front panel, with overhead electrical wires and a large glass building in the background. This image does not contain any text or references to used cars or new cars.

Thameslink

Thameslink transit vehicle with distinct yellow front and light blue side panel driving on a residential street with terraced houses and trees, featuring text 'ThamesLink' on the side and a license plate reading 'GOV1A'. The image relates to new cars and used cars in an urban environment.

While getting a seat when commuting in the capital feels nigh on impossible, the spacious design of Thameslink's motor ensures everyone is seated, comfortably and in work on time.

Modern passenger train numbered 700148 at a train station platform with the name Transport for Wales on the side, no used cars or new cars visible in the image

Transport for Wales

Electric vehicle with registration plate WALS3 RA1L on a rural road surrounded by hills under a partly cloudy sky. The car is white with red and yellow accents, displaying text on the side reading 'TRANSPORTATION TRANSFORM PROCEDURES' with a circular logo. Scene captures a modern used or new car concept in a scenic landscape.

Almost futuristic in its blocky design, Transport for Wales' motor is sturdy and reliable, cutting through the Welsh countryside with ease.

A Northern train at a quiet outdoor railway platform under a cloudy sky, featuring a yellow front and silver body with red accents. The station is empty, surrounded by greenery and blue-painted retaining walls. No used cars or new cars are visible in the image.

Unconvinced by the motor designs of British train companies? Maybe it's best to leave it to the professionals!

Here at Vertu Motors, we offer a wide range of popular used cars and new car models that can not only enhance, but completely transform your commuting experience. Browse our latest offers today.

Image credits:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caledonian_Sleeper_Mk3_SLE_10693_at_Glasgow_Central.JPG

https://www.flickr.com/photos/aaronsrailwayphots/50002437621

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Avanti_West_Coast_Pendolino_7.20.jpg

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alternativerailways/4974439487

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kecko/49827029117

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northern_Rail_Class_156,_156423,_platform_2,_Wigan_Wallgate_railway_station_(geograph_4512875).jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Class_377,_Milton_Keynes.jpg

https://www.flickr.com/photos/50576141@N03/39859961063

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126337928@N05/50191798041

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