AI-generated (not entirely realistic) railway images

[chrisjo]

What was the prompt, considering the American-esque train and Japanese-esque staff?

Also the mysterious dollar bills.

Something along the lines of 'what if the Japanese were operating the Docklands Light Railway with characteristic courtesy'. Then also some combination of: muddy Thames with barges beside station, Canary Wharf, dockyard cranes, river police chasing bank robbers.

 

[gallafent]

Mythical beasts of Cumbria.

I instructed Google Gemini to create an AI image of a class 390 Pendolino 9 carriage train in Avanti West Coast livery. I got this.

Then I instructed Gemini to create an AI 801 Azuma with the same landscape I used in my description for the Pendo. The unit looks rather smart, despite it being nothing like an LNER Azuma. That OHLE though...

Something's just clicked for me: a big difference in yours and many of the other images in this thread, when compared to modern UK fast trains in the real world (class 80x in particular) ... they have a smooth roof!

The "throw a bunch of cardboard boxes onto a flat roof, taking time only to make sure that you maximise the wind noise they generate in the cabin" which appears to have been the design approach taken in the real world for the class 80x trains, could certainly learn something from these AI-generated designs (and indeed previous fast trains in the UK). The wind noise in coach A (for example) really is atrocious in the GWR IETs. I took measurements during a recent European trip on Eurostar (both sorts), TGV Duplex, some different kinds of AVE, and an old Corail intercity set, and all were enormously quieter, despite travelling at least as fast, indeed mostly 50%+ faster. I have the numbers somewhere but won't bore you with them here. Rant over, hey ho.

These pictures are generally great fun, keep them coming!

 

[Sun Chariot]

....a big difference in yours and many of the other images in this thread, when compared to modern UK fast trains in the real world (class 80x in particular) ... they have a smooth roof!

Yes you are absolutely right. The AI images that I had Google Gemini create of class 66s and class 800 / 802 IETs, has not been able to render accurate roof detail (66 silencer, IET roof equipment); instead rendering far smoother than reality.

Class 37 roof renders, particularly my more recent AI images, have looked pretty close.
Here's what I and others have been up to:

Show off your realistic AI railway images!

I have started this thread after becoming rather too addicted (so my wife says...) to the capabilities of AI and Big Data. There are several AI image generators. I use Google Gemini. These images are created using my own descriptions into AI. Add your realistic AI generated railway themed...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[eldomtom2]

Also the mysterious dollar bills.

Something along the lines of 'what if the Japanese were operating the Docklands Light Railway with characteristic courtesy'. Then also some combination of: muddy Thames with barges beside station, Canary Wharf, dockyard cranes, river police chasing bank robbers.

The Japanese DLR would be the Yurikamome in Tokyo, surely, seeing as they're both automated systems built to spur redevelopment of old docklands areas?

 

[HSTEd]

I think whilst these images have technical flaws, they definitely evoke the aesthetic.

 

[chrisjo]

I have been trying to persuade Gemini to make a picture involving a West Country or Battle of Britain class loco, and it seems like it really cannot do it. Every attempt produces a 'non-streamlined' kettle of some sort.

 

[Sun Chariot]

I have been trying to persuade Gemini to make a picture involving a West Country or Battle of Britain class loco, and it seems like it really cannot do it. Every attempt produces a 'non-streamlined' kettle of some sort.

Gemini's data constructs have confounded me and I have no idea what sources Gemini uses. So far I've generated a pretty convincing A3, a pair of Black Fives, a Stanier Princess and a Riddles Standard 4MT. My Stanier 2-6-0 was more a mongrel than a Mogul. My A4 attempt was - well - not an A4!

For the A3 and Princess, I only achieved a decent result when my descriptive input had the number and name of a main line registered preserved example.
Perhaps it enabled Gemini's algorithms to determine a good data source.

 

[chrisjo]

I only achieved a decent result when my descriptive input had the number and name of a main line registered preserved example.

I tried feeding it with 'Tangmere', but no joy.

 

[Sun Chariot]

I tried feeding it with 'Tangmere', but no joy.

That's quite the original design!

I tried a double headed train; firstly with 34016 + 34027, then 35028 + 35005. Gemini kept generating AI images of Stanier Black Fives with Rebuilt MN/WC/BB running plates, fireboxes and smokebox numbers - two examples attached...

I've generated images with proper Black Fives, 44871, 45212 and 45312, which I've added to the thread linked on post 303.

 

[eldomtom2]

I tried feeding it with 'Tangmere', but no joy.

Very clear cross-contamination with the Thomas the Tank Engine character "Rebecca" there, who's also a West Country class, also painted yellow, and also number 22.

 

[McRhu]

Hudson-ish 4-(6)-4 locomotive 'Brief Encounter' seen here at the BREL Research Centre Lab 51, before handing straight over to the Strategic Reserve. Note that propulsion is cleverly handled by independent quarter scale locos bolted onto each side, thus freeing up the main loco to tell the time and provide adhesive weight.

(Prompt was a request for a railway-themed clock using parts of British steam locos and railway paraphernalia. Night Cafe)

 

[Sun Chariot]

That image @McRhu Is gloriously Steampunk in ambience. I love it!

 

[McRhu]

That image @McRhu Is gloriously Steampunk in ambience. I love it!

 

[chrisjo]

Very clear cross-contamination with the Thomas the Tank Engine character "Rebecca" there, who's also a West Country class, also painted yellow, and also number 22.

Yep, that's what I was trying for, a 'real-life' West Country but with the livery of the TTTE character Rebecca. Fail!

 

[Furrball]

Gemini really went through the box of pieces for this one

 

[Sun Chariot]

Gemini really went through the box of pieces for this one

Brilliant! I've never seen a commercial jet's turbo fan installed in a locomotive before!

 

[chrisjo]

Brilliant! I've never seen a commercial jet's turbo fan installed in a locomotive before!

And the coupling rod is unusual on this type of locomotive. I'm not quite sure how it clears the steps, but I'm sure it must do.

 

[Full Standing]

I've also had some fun with Gemini recently. I've asked it for a picture of the inside of a German train that is full and standing (in the spirit of my user name ). I stated that the train is so cramped that people have to lie in the overhead luggage racks. Further, I asked for a desperate guard in the centre of the image, and requested a dot-matrix screen displaying "Zug nach Niedaltdorf".

I wouldn't say that the train is full and standing, no, it's full and lying...

The image is, well, weird.

 

[Sun Chariot]

I like it @Full Standing and it got me thinking about my past years of commuting on London Underground...

AI image: inside a London Underground carriage filled with Catholic nuns. The dot matrix destination board reads SEVEN SISTERS and there are other themed messages in the carriage too.

AI image: inside a London Underground carriage filled with Paddington Bears. The dot matrix destination board reads PADDINGTON and there are other themed messages in the carriage too.

 

[chrisjo]

it got me thinking about my past years of commuting on London Underground...

Or indeed ................

 

[Topological]

I like it @Full Standing and it got me thinking about my past years of commuting on London Underground...

That Paddington picture accurately reflects the tube. A lot of standees at the back of the picture, but empty seats near the front bears. No doubt there are other bears online somewhere complaining how the tube is full and that there are never spare seats.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Just grin and bear it

 

[Sun Chariot]

Or indeed ................

I've that description in draft. I didn't like my first 4 renders; then I ran out of my daily Gemini image allowance (resets at 5:20pm each day)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2025 ==

That Paddington picture accurately reflects the tube. A lot of standees at the back of the picture, but empty seats near the front bears. No doubt there are other bears online somewhere complaining how the tube is full and that there are never spare seats.

Brilliant! Take a bow.

 

[Harlequinuk]

Trying to make a class 71/74 with a long nose (aka class 37)

 

[eastwestdivide]

Looks like something out of Chuggington to me

 

[Ashley Hill]

Trying to make a class 71/74 with a long nose (aka class 37)

I’d pay to ride behind that!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Or indeed ................

How about Piccadilly Circus...

AI image: inside a London Underground carriage full of circus acrobats, clowns, a performing seal and a ringmaster. The dot matrix destination board reads PICCADILLY CIRCUS and there are other themed messages in the carriage too.

 

[Cowley]

How about Piccadilly Circus...

I dare you to do Cockfosters…

(I hope I don’t regret this)

 

[Topological]

How about Piccadilly Circus...

Is that the ringmaster, or a new means of ticket enforcement?

 

[chrisjo]

I dare you to do Cockfosters…