In review: the 10 stories that defined InnoTrans 2026

INNOTRANS: From major train launches and investment announcements to debates over resilience, capacity and the future of European rail, Berlin produced no shortage of news. Railway Gazette International was on the ground throughout InnoTrans 2026; here are 10 of the stories that stood out.

1.

Speaking to Railway Gazette International on the European Train from Brussels to InnoTrans, Europe’s Rail executive director Giorgio Travaini said that ‘Europe is still at the forefront of innovation’ in rail, and a strong follow-up to the Europe’s Rail programme is needed to ensure this continues to be the case. He warned that the European rail sector must learn from the automotive industry, where competition from China has expanded rapidly.

2.

One year after Europe launched its high speed rail action plan, industry leaders examine what is still holding back expansion, from approvals and fragmented standards to network access, summed up by FS International CEO Luigi Corradi: ‘We can find the money. The problem is stability.’

3.

With resilience and geopolitics high on the InnoTrans agenda, Ukrzaliznytsia CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi warns Europe’s rail leaders that Ukraine’s experience should reshape their own long-term strategies: ‘always keep the resilience and safety pillar in mind’.

4.

‘Please, in two years’ time, I just ask that this journey takes less than 7 h’, quipped DG Move Deputy Director-General Maja Bakran Marcich when the EU-backed European Train arrived in Berlin from Brussels on September 21 as part of the preparations for InnoTrans.

5.

Croatian rolling stock manufacturer Končar formally unveiled its electro-diesel multiple-unit design at InnoTrans on September 22. The company said the four-car trainset is a newly-developed design that maintains its record of launching a new train type at each of the biennial Berlin trade shows.

6.

‘I am a huge fan of rail’, declared European Transport Commissioner Apostolas Tzitzikostas, outlining his vision for a stronger European rail sector during the InnoTrans 2026 opening ceremony on September 22. But ‘I believe the sector is currently selling itself short.’

7.

Hyundai Rotem presented design concepts for a 400 km/h train for the international market and a 220 km/h hydrogen fuel cell multiple-unit at InnoTrans. It also reported progress with the production of a hydrogen freight locomotive.

8.

CRRC displayed a two-car section of its prototype SmartMetro train at InnoTrans 2026. Railway Gazette International took a preview look.

9.

Progress with the development and deployment of the Digital Automatic Coupler was marked with a high-level demonstration event at the HVLE yard in Spandau on September 23, hosted by the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking.

10.

InnoTrans’ youngest keynote speaker and ambassador, Adam El Rafey, urged the rail sector to engage young talent at the 2026 Railway Influencer Festival on the last day of the fair. His message for the rail industry? To involve youth now; ‘open a door, break down a barrier, start a youth board, make an opportunity available that works directly alongside the next generation’, said the 16-year-old public speaker, who is the UAE’s youngest university student.