Summer break in politics? The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany signed a ‘Joint declaration of intent between DfT and Federal Republic of Germany: direct international rail connection‘ for a direct London to Berlin train. In the mean time, Virgin Trains‘ Richard Branson announced a contract with…
Tag: Siemens
Leo Express: Bratislava – Ostend night train not a firm commitment
At the end of June 2025, Czech private rail operator Leo Express has submitted a filing for a potential night train service between Slovakia and Belgium, but the company has clarified that this does not represent a firm commitment. In a statement to RailTech, Leo Express spokesperson Emil Sedlařík said the filing should be seen…
BELGIUM | NMBS / SNCB confirms CAF as preferred bidder for AM30
On 23 July 2025, Belgium‘s state-owned railway company NMBS / SNCB has reaffirmed Spanish train manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) as the “preferred bidder” for its major train order, despite ongoing criticism from trade unions and politicians over the impact on local employment.
Back-on-Track.eu criticises lack of EU action as ÖBB cuts into Nightjet order
On 11 July 2025, Back-on-Track.eu, a European network advocating for night trains, voiced serious concern following the announcement by the Austrian Federal Railways ÖBB, the European Union‘s largest night train operator, that it will reduce its order with Siemens Mobility for new Nightjet trains from 33 to 24 units.
FlixTrain orders 65 trainsets with Talgo and Siemens fit for Europe
FlixTrain, the private rail operator in Germany and subsidiary of global travel-tech company Flix SE, has announced on 27 May 2025 a landmark investment in European rail transport with the purchase of 65 high-speed trainsets.
TRAINS IN LUXEMBOURG | CFL’s Alstom Coradia Stream HC ‘Série 2400’
We haven’t travelled to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg since 2018 and 2019, but in January 2025 we returned to get a taste of the Alstom Coradia Stream HC which the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL) runs under the name Série 2400. The Coradia Stream HC was a candidate to become NMBS…
London to Switzerland direct train moves a little closer with new bilateral agreement
A new step toward a direct train link between Switzerland and the United Kingdom was taken last week, as Swiss Federal Councillor and Transport Minister Albert Rösti (Swiss People’s Party) and UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at London St. Pancras Railway Station.
Spanish CAF to provide trains for NMBS / SNCB AM30
Train manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) from Spain is said to have won a major contract to build hundreds of new AM30 / MR30 electric multiple units (EMU) for Belgian railway company NMBS / SNCB. The CAF Civity Duo then could be a base for the AM30.
Dutch budget train GoVolta postponed after not getting funds
Dutch start-up train operator GoVolta will not be able to start train services this year after Rabobank decided against granting the new rail company a loan. The train paths (‘slots’ on the rails) allocated for GoVolta’s budget trains to Berlin in Germany, Copenhagen in Denmark and Basel in Switzerland have now been returned.
SNCF Réseau confirms feasibility European Sleeper night train linking the Netherlands, Belgium, France to Barcelona in Spain
According to European Sleeper, which shared the news with Treinreiziger.nl, French railway infrastructure manager SNCF Réseau conducted a feasibility study stating an acceptable timetable is possible in France for the European Sleeper night train to Barcelona in Catalonia.