Pier Tabak, 5-5-2017

Problems identified:
At at least one location in the Netherlands old trains are stored seemingly to fade away. However these
trains have still some artistic value and the cabins appear to be in a usable condition, therefore a new
purpose of the trains would be great.

Solutions:

1. There are also a lot of old rail tracks in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe, the old trains
could be used as a Hotel-Train on these abandoned tracks. The train would only drive slowly at
something like 15 km/h, therefore the requirements for the trains are significantly less than it is
for normal trains, this makes it doable to start using the old trains again. The train would be solar
powered using a newly purchased locomotive, this is doable at low speeds.
The train would make trips of something like 3 days and would stop several times a day to let
people leave the train with their bike! At a next stopping point the people can get back on the
train.
Users: The target group for this service is bikers. Adventures , alternative, middle class bikers
who are looking for a serene environment, the second target group is nature fanatics.
Early adopters: Before the launch of the service a group of enthusiastic people would be formed
using various bicycle websites/forums. These people are invited to come to the train for a test
round and share their thoughts. In the next stage members of a few specific bikers communities
get discount on the ticket price under the provision that they give constructive feedback.
2. Instead of a Hotel-Train the train could also be used as a conference center.
Users: Small companies or organizations which like to have a meeting at extra ordinary but
peaceful locations.
Early adopters: The municipalities in which the railway is located can serve as an early adopter.
These people need to be contacted however, they need to agree on the unique value point
otherwise they probably wont even allow you to use the rail track.
3. A third option would be to set up the train as a creative workplace, a place which painters can
use as a second atelier, a place where workshops can be organized or writers can come when
they are stuck in writing.
Users: Artistic people who like to have another working place for a short period and
entrepreneurs who like to organize workshops.
Early adapters: Student of an artistic (applied) university such as the Design Academy
(Eindhoven)
4. Combine the above ideas.