With InnoTrans 2026 set to begin tomorrow (22 September), members of the press were today given a brief tour of just some of the significant rolling stock on display across the event’s outside track area.
The tour, which culminated with a press conference given by Siemens Mobility CEO & Managing Director, Michael Peter, saw InnoTrans representatives lead guests through a selection of rolling stock from Italy all the way to China.
Starting the tour was Stadler, who offered a glimpse of its brand-new EURO DuFour locomotive, which has been developed for SBB Cargo Switzerland. With a bogie utilising integrated steering, the locomotive aims to offer strong running characteristics whilst reducing wear and tear on the rail infrastructure by up to 20% overall. The locomotive’s low weight allows it to be used on both main and branch lines, and is available in multi-system electric and hybrid versions, offering up to 7 MW of power, a top speed of 160 km/h and a high degree of operational flexibility.
Following this, Škoda Group presented its ForCity Plus 52T tram, which is destined for use in Prague. The unit has been specifically designed to negotiate sharp bends in Prague’s Old Town and steep gradients in several sections, and is comprised of a single track, five-car vehicle.
Vossloh Rolling Stock GmbH offered visitors a look at the Modula BDD, its brand-new locomotive control system with technological integration. Currently undergoing type approval testing, the system continuously monitors the status of essential components and works to display this information to the driver on a screen. Whilst historically a locomotive manufacturer, Vossloh Rolling Stock, as a subsidiary of CRRC ZELC and in close collaboration with IMATEQ, has gradually evolved into a provider of integrated solutions covering the entire vehicle life cycle.
In a brief change of pace; Liebherr-Hydraulikbagger GmbH showcased their RE 22 M road-rail excavator. As one of the world’s largest manufacturers of construction machinery, the company offers a variety of products, including modern air-conditioning systems and hydraulic systems for braking and damping.
Moving along, Hitachi Rail were on hand to briefly discuss its ETR1000 series units, which have been used for long-distance rail travel in Italy since 2015. These trains, which are designed for speeds of 360 km/h, are predominately used on main routes such as Rome–Milan, with over 75% of journeys on that route now made by train. Due to its compatibility with various European power supply and signalling systems, it is suitable for cross-border use in countries such as France, Germany and Spain.
Next up, CRRC unveiled its new VELLINK urban rail platform, which features premium standardised metro trains and intelligent regional commuter trains. The flagship model acts as a next-generation digital-intelligent metro train, which, once operational, will represent the industry’s first application of embodied AI within mass transit. Equipped with integrated multi-source sensors, the train creates its own sensing network in order to monitor tracks and identify potential failures in real time, reducing potential lifecycle maintenance costs. The train’s industrial design has won the international iF Design Award, and features floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, a starlit ceiling, and rotatable seating.
As one of the key manufacturers present during the event, Alstom made its presence known with a showcase briefing of its new Coradia Stream Intercity train, which, developed in collaboration with Trenitalia, is capable of reaching top speeds of up to 200 km/h, and incorporates digital signalling technology such as ERTMS and predictive maintenance.
Elsewhere, DB InfraGO AG showcased its progress on the collaborative AutomatedTrain development project, which has seen involvement from DB InfraGO AG, Siemens and Alstom. Utilising both a Stuttgart S-Bahn train (Alstom Class 430) and a Siemens Mobility train (Mireo); the project incorporates intelligent sensor technology in order to detect their surroundings and react autonomously to obstacles, with more news and testing results set to come in the near future.
Finally; Siemens presented its Vectron X unit, which formed the centrepiece of the company’s press offering today. The new, software-defined locomotive combines the company’s existing Vectron platform with digital services, open interfaces and a fully integrated app store, bringing all elements of rolling stock supervision into one unit. With Vectron X, Siemens Mobility is seeking to complete its Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, extending the ‘X’ approach from software, services and signalling technology to rail vehicles for the first time and creating a fully connected ecosystem for rail transport.
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