Subterranean Locomotive Access Tablet
Boy has Tom Dixon been busy lately…this time he’s been ‘spotted’ creating a limited edition wooden oystercard holder (for non londoners, an oyster card is your credit card acces card for public transport). The card was created by Dixon for Tfl (Transport for London) and features the classic TfL design icon, the Routemaster bus to celebrate this year’s London Design Festival. The card was created in conjunction with Alternative Oyster Shop, who make a few lovely wooden holders themselves.
I’m torn between the Routemaster card and the Tally Ho card, which captured my attention for three reasons. One, the tagline on the card holder says ‘ Subterranean Locomotive Access Tablet’. Two, Tally ho is a victorian phrase from the late 1800s with french orgins, that was a cry used when ‘departing at speed.’ hehe. And if there was further love needed, our first flat in London was called Tally Ho after the corner the building was set on. I got the biggest kick out of having a fabulous building name, so sentimentality scores a high nine.
All cards feature
Triple stained for vintage Walnut effect
Laser engraved
Double varnished to handle everyday use
FSC approved plywood construction
retail price £19.95
You can purchase the limited edition card from Tom Dixon at the Tfl shop and the remaining three cards at the Alternative Oyster Shop
Pillar Box Post 
I love tom dixon’s work! his lamps are so cool! And this oyster card is smokin’!
Those are WAY nicer than the ugly red and blue vinyl covers that were standard Oyster-card issue when we lived in London. The function maven in me wonders, though, if the card reader can read the card-stripe as is, or if you have to pull your card out every time you enter the station or get on the bus. 🙂
Well Function maven, your questions are answered. They read through the case! My wallet is ginormous and it reads through that (and it states on the website as well). I’m very tempted!
They are just brilliant! love them! Here in Melbourne we are having trouble with our ‘brand -new -but- took- for- ages- to -launch ‘myki’ system for our public transport. It’s interesting ( and probably ironic?) that London’s system is accepted to the point that a renowned artist can produce a limited edition oyster card holder! Fantastic. we’ll get there…cheers kari
Love those!