Transformable train concept turns day carriages into overnight sleeper compartments
PriestmanGoode has unveiled Day/Dream, a concept for a triple-level train that converts from daytime seating to private sleeping compartments across all classes. Developed with material partners Testori, Kydex and Muirhead, the design includes an onboard hospitality crew to manage the transformation. The concept aims to offer a refined alternative to air travel for inter-city journeys.
The Day/Dream concept was presented at InnoTrans 2026, Berlin's international transport technology trade fair. PriestmanGoode drew on its extensive aviation portfolio, including work for Finnair, Lufthansa, United, and Airbus, alongside rail projects for London's Piccadilly and Elizabeth Lines, Austrian Federal Railways, and VIA Rail. The design team incorporated materials from three partners: Kydex's image-infused thermoplastic, Testori's plant-based recyclable fabric, and Muirhead's BioTan low-carbon leather.
The triple-level train is sized to fit within existing European rolling stock, and the transformation between day and night configurations is supervised by an onboard hospitality crew. PriestmanGoode states the concept deliberately moves away from the traditional couchette model that defines most current overnight rail services, instead offering private compartments across standard, business, and first classes.
This concept could reshape expectations for overnight rail travel, potentially drawing passengers away from short-haul flights on inter-city European routes. If adopted, it may pressure rail operators to invest in more flexible rolling stock and higher staffing levels, while travelers could gain a more comfortable, private alternative to cramped sleeper cabins. The hospitality-focused approach may also influence how train interiors are designed across the industry, though widespread implementation would depend on operator economics and passenger demand.