Untitled Document

Textures of travel
The tape on the platform safety rail was unwinding at one place only. The rest of the tape above and below this spot was grimy but intact. It was as if every passenger, irrelevant of height, held onto the rail at exactly the same spot – around hip height or about 1.2metres.
The seats are covered in a blue and red patterned material. The pattern belies really how dirty they are. Some seat covers look bright and new, others are almost black and worn through.			The conductor stands in a body shaped recess under the staircase - it's also used for passengers luggage.
The floor is a textural brown material spotted with age and old chewing gum. A patchwork of stripes, checks and diamonds indicate aisle, seat areas and stairs. Judging by some of the stains, the indented texture channels splills to maintain a safe walking surface.			The overlapping materials - rivets and metal plates and expressed joins - are reminiscent of a submarine or old aeroplane.
Seven narrow twisting stairs join the lower and upper decks. Yellow zig zag yellow safety patterns mark the edge of each one with a red strip on the riser.
	The platform entry is lit by this textured round light. .	The window handles are unique to the RM. Rotating it makes the upper window slides past the lower one.	The window behind the driver's seat has a black consertina curtain. It is often drawn down which makes the right front seat dark as well as warm from the engine