The project aims to initiate a debate on abandoned railway infrastructure at both the global and local levels. The global aspect is addressed digitally, while the local aspect is tackled through physical exhibitions held in ten abandoned railway stations across ten cities worldwide.
The exhibitions take place inside a specially designed train that moves along an abandoned railway line. The train comprises four wagons, each serving a different function. The first wagon acts as an entrance and introduction to the exhibition, the second contains the main exhibition, the third offers an immersive experience, and the last hosts a participatory activity.
The exhibition also includes an outdoor part located on the tracks, covered with a floor to create a permanent accessible area that reinforces the idea of stations as public spaces.
The design of the train is adaptive and maintains the essence of traditional wagons while transforming them into exhibition spaces. The cylindrical wagon, originally designed for fluid transport, has doors and a floor added to serve its new purpose.
A key aspect of the project is the participatory activity in the last wagon, which utilizes digital sandboxes. This interactive technology combines physical models and virtual projections to allow visitors to interact with the abandoned railway line model. Visitors can transform the model into various potential futures, such as a park, a walkway, sports facilities, or the return of a train.
The participants' ideas and wishes are recorded and displayed on screens in the cylindrical wagon, creating an immersive experience where visitors can explore the potential futures of the railway line. These envisioned futures are not limited to a single railway line but are shared across all nodes in the global network of abandoned railway stations.
By collecting and sharing the collective imagination for the future of rail infrastructure, the project creates a global database of ideas and possibilities. This innovative approach allows visitors to directly experience and engage with potential transformations of abandoned railway lines worldwide, promoting discussions on the future of transportation and public spaces.