All aboard the Arlecchino 🚆 Created by renowned architect and designer Gio Ponti in the 1950s, the Arlecchino (or Harlequin) train is a remarkable fusion of engineering innovation and modernist design. Commissioned for the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, the Arlecchino captured the optimism and sense of progress that defined Italy’s post-war industrial boom. Its streamlined aluminium body, expansive panoramic windows and vibrant interiors transformed the experience of rail travel, carrying more than 100 passengers at speeds of up to 160 km/h. Only four Arlecchino trains were ever produced, but their impact on Italian design and craftsmanship was lasting. After 26 years in service, the train was retired before being meticulously restored by Fondazione FS Italiane in 2015. The restoration revived Ponti’s original vision, reinstating his interiors while incorporating contemporary technology to meet modern railway standards. A true polymath, Ponti’s work spanned architecture, interiors and product design, establishing him as one of Italy’s most celebrated designers. 📸 @alvuz