Škoda Group has introduced its “Sleep in Motion” design, aimed at modernising night train travel.

First presented at InnoTrans 2024, this concept seeks to improve comfort, privacy, and operational efficiency while maintaining high passenger capacity.

Sleep in Motion mockup
Sleep in Motion mockup

Developed by Škoda Group’s Austrian design team, the design addresses the limitations of current night train layouts.

Jan Harder, President Region West and North at Škoda Group said:

The 'Sleep in Motion' concept showcases our ability to deliver forward-thinking solutions that address both passenger needs and operational challenges. Our design enhances comfort and privacy without sacrificing capacity. We believe this concept is a real game-changer for the night train sector, making rail travel more appealing and sustainable. Right now, we are already actively offering this solution to our customers.

Night trains play a critical role in decarbonising transport, offering an eco-friendly alternative to air travel.

However, current night train fleets often offer limited comfort and privacy. This is especially true in 6-berth compartments, which maximise capacity but compromise passenger experience. In contrast, 4-berth compartments improve comfort but reduce efficiency and increase costs.

Škoda’s “Sleep in Motion” concept overcomes these challenges with an innovative cabin layout. The design features optimised bed geometry, including non-rectangular bunks, allowing comfortable sleeping positions without sacrificing space.

Mockup sleeping area
Mockup sleeping area

Each cabin offers two private compartments with features such as:

  • 200 cm long mattresses, up to 85 cm wide
  • Individual windows for each passenger, serving as both a view and an emergency exit
  • 90 cm cabin height for added comfort
  • Dedicated luggage storage at floor level and hand luggage space inside the cabin for security
  • Lights and charging sockets for added convenience

This layout provides a balance between business-class privacy and the efficiency of economy class.

The design also includes alternating gangway widths and dedicated luggage spaces, creating a more spacious feel while ensuring operational effectiveness.

Martin Zsifkovits, Managing Director of Škoda Group Austria said:

Our new night train concept is a strong example of our ability to innovate, but we see it as just the beginning. What we’ve created is a prototype that showcases a new direction for night train travel, but we remain committed to refining and improving it. The current cabin exists as a mock-up, and we are actively gathering feedback from passengers and stakeholders. Every insight we receive is valuable and will help us perfect the design to meet both operator and traveller expectations.

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