DB starts testing Talgo’s ICE L trains in Germany
The only fully low-floor high-speed long-distance trainset in the world, Talgo’s ICE L trainsets, progressed to the testing stage. While the first set arrived in lower Saxony (with its Class 105 locomotive on the way from Spain, too), the second unit arrived in the Viennese climate chamber of Rail Tec Arsenal (RTA).
Designed for speeds of 230 km/h, DB has signed a framework agreement for 100 seventeen-car trainsets, with a fixed order of 79 units. They should enter operation between Berlin and Amsterdam in 2024, later expanding to Denmark and Austria. First, the trains must undergo static tests in Braunschweig in Germany, then dynamic tests on the Żmigród test track in Poland.
NAH.SH orders 40 Alstom Coradia Stream HC units
Nahverkehrsverbund Schleswig-Holstein (NAH.SH) has ordered 40 single and double-deck Alstom Coradia Stream units with a 30-year maintenance contract. An option for 55 more four-car trainsets is included in the contract. The 106 m long trains for northern Germany with a capacity of up to 390 passengers will reach a maximum speed of 160 km/h, and their final assembly will be performed at Alstom’s Salzgitter factory.
Chinese CRRC deploys new CR200J units on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway
With the opening of Xining Golmud section, the Qinghai–Tibet railway joined the bullet trains network in China at the beginning of July. On this occasion, CRRC deployed new units on this line. The CR200J units belonging to the Fuxing family were specially designed for the tough conditions of this railway. They have a six-axle power car (7.2 MW) and 8 cars accommodating 676 passengers, reaching a maximum speed of 160 km/h.
PKP Intercity announces a new open tender for double-deck push-pull sets and MS locomotives
After an unsuccessful first attempt, PKP Intercity (PKP IC) announced a renewed tender for 38 seven-car double-deck push-pull trainsets and 45 multisystem locomotives. With a capacity of 700 passengers, these 200 km/h trains should significantly contribute to PKP IC’s target to run twice as many trains as today by 2030. PKP IC announced this tender as a competitive dialogue first but with an unsuccessful result. The new tender is open, and manufacturers get an extended final delivery deadline – the end of May 2026. PKP IC also changed the rules of payment.
ÖBB with a framework agreement for 120 Stadler’s battery FLIRT trains
Austrian ÖBB plans to replace its diesel fleet deployed in the east of Austria with a battery-powered one. It has announced signing a framework agreement with Stadler to deliver up to 120 FLIRT Akku battery units. The first 16 units should be ordered in autumn 2023.
Renfe connects Madrid with Marseille with AVE trains
On 28.7.2023, Renfe inaugurated its new connection between the largest Spanish city and the second-largest French city. The operator has already sold over 70,000 tickets for the route that takes 8 hours in its entire length. This connection adds up to Barcelona – Lyon route, also launched recently. Renfe's next target in its international high-speed connectivity is to reach Paris.
Avanti West Coast starts with tests of bi-modal trains from Hitachi Rail in Wales
Avanti West Coast (AWC) progresses with deploying new Class 805 bi-modal electric and diesel Hitachi Rail ATR300 trains to its network. The inaugural run was performed from West Midlands to Llandudno Junction. Further trips to Chester and North Wales are planned. AWC will still deploy these 13 five-car trainsets between London and North Wales within 2023, replacing the unpopular Voyager trains. They are part of the £350 million project, including 10 seven-car electric multiple units from Hitachi Rail (Class 807), to be deployed between London, the West Midlands and Liverpool.
NETINERA’s Länderbahn will operate Central Germany’s S-Bahn from 2026
From December 2026, Die Länderbahn will operate S-Bahn services from Halle (Saale) via Leipzig to Plauen. The transport contract runs for 12 years until December 2038 and covers around 6 million train kilometres per year on the main and some side routes. Länderbahn plans to deploy three-car Siemens Mireo units with a capacity of 150 passengers on these routes, connecting them to double-traction in peak times and routes.
Länderbahn belongs to the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Group (FS) through NETINERA Group, which also operates German regional brands such as metronom, erixx, enno, ODEG, or vlexx.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region renews contract with SNCF Voyageurs
The region surrounding Bordeaux has renewed its contract to operate regional express transport (TER) trains with SNCF Voyageurs. They will keep on operating the trains here until 2030. Both parties have committed to an ambitious plan to double the number of passengers by 2030. This also includes the need for rolling stock. The region will get four Alstom Omneo and eleven Alstom Coradia Régiolis units. Additional 62 TER trains will undergo modernisation.
