FOGAS VISION 360°

2022

The Budapest Rack Railways (Fogas), is in the Buda part of the Hungarian capital city of Budapest. The line number 60, is among Budapest's unique historic public transport options. The line first opened in 1874, and its red carriages, today a nostalgic sight amid the Buda scenery, have been transporting passengers ever since. It runs from Városmajor Park up to Széchenyi Hill, through Svábhegy. It provides easy access to popular attractions such as Normafa and the Children's railway – or you can simply sit back and enjoy the beautiful views of the Buda Hills. Today Fogas lane is becoming even more important in Budapest. The are new design plans for the modernization of the heritage lane. According to the new plans, the future terminals would be at Széll Kálmán square and at Normafa Mountain Park station. The extension is in line with the project aimed at renovating Normafa Mountain Park, as well as ensuring congestion-free, environment friendly access to this popular destination on a closed track, thus representing an important new development for the nature lovers, hikers, bikers and skiers within the city. The new mountain terminal of the Budapest Rack Railways service will be located in the central area of the newly developed Normafa Mountain Park. The new infrastructure and the flexible solutions of the new trains gives a new identity to capital of Hungary. 

Challenge

The challenge was to deliver a design that represents a new icon for transportation in Budapest – and one the rest of the world will envy. The brand new exterior & interior design – all acknowledge the unique role that transport design can play as an emblem of a city or country. The new trains meets the most exacting requirements with regard to eco-design and accessibility, blending into the urban environment whilst maintaining a high performance level. With its long-standing experience in the design and supply of urban solutions. 

Exterior design

The form follows the function. The exterior of the new FOGAS VISION 360° car body follows a clear, linear design. The strong character of the heritage trains gave inspiration for this brand new futuristic design. The cog-wheel railway runs in the Mountain district of Budapest in forest environment and reaches a mountain leisure area. The Normafa Park provides possibilities for skiers, bikers, hikers or fans of the open-air sports and of any other nature-lover recreations. The vicinity of the nature is the most attractive characteristics of this railway. The architecture seems to prefer big glass-panels these days, which can offer the enjoyment of the nature almost directly and feeling the safety and comfort of home simultaneously. The FOGAS VISION 360° with its panoramic windows realizes this concept in the public transport. The design of the carriage interior with its neutral, natural colours and wooden inlays reflects the same idea. The clear simplicity of it lays stress upon the nature and places the panorama in the focus. The interior due to its harmony with the nature stands strong out against the exterior. Although the tracing of it uses the symbols of nature and fauna, the complete forms and the red-black surfaces make the carriages definitely differ from the forest. This way the railway intends to meet the expectation of safety both for the forest animals and hikers. The original tailor-made design, with its unmistakable profile creates a contemporary and forward-looking conception on a new technology level.

The front wall design of the vehicle plays a definitely significant role for me. The curved position indicator, the form of the high beams and a pixel-design indicator placed in the head wall create the basic character of the vehicle. The complements like antennas enclosing the headlights on the top of the diver's cab contribute to the general impression of the head wall.

The framework of the roof and the large windows providing panorama are one of the most distinguishable features of the vehicle. The train is built on innovative technological structure. The main technical and mechanics units responsible for the primary and secondary function of the vehicle operation are placed in the motor engine at the two ends of the train, which makes the roof of the carriage-body open. The framework of the carriage insures the necessary rigidity and stability of the carriage-body and the possibility of the panoramic windows. The structure of the body framework and the hole design sunroof got inspiration from nature. 

The design of the metal framework of the carriage-body could constitute the biggest challenge in my opinion considering all the specifications of the technical, static and safety standards. It has to fulfil the planned 30-year-old life cycle despite the overstrain. The optimal load-distribution, mass and consumption of the vehicle have great importance as well. In order to operate the new train efficiently and profitably all the strict conditions have to be followed.

Interior design

100% low floor desing and multifuncitonal open space. The design target of the FOGAS VISION 360° interior is to provide an ultimate comfort for each and every passenger. In line with this philosophy, accessibility is a key priority right from the conceptual design project stage in order to ensure that the new Budapest Rack Rail service can be used by everyone, without exception. The new trains must be designed to be serviceable with no special adaptations or modifications. This inclusive and cozy interior offer a unique quality in this segment.   The multifunctional, penetrable interior can provide priority for the ones with limited mobility and has remarkable room for the passengers' bikes, skies or luggage. The fold-up seats, unique ski racks and specially shaped prior places realizes these functions.

The exhibition

I won in 2023 the Hungarian Design Award trophy in Product Concept category as the only winner in this category. The large-scale special event and the exhibition can be visited at the Hungarian Ethnographic Museum during the 20th Design Week in Budapest in october 2023.