European rail service expansion announced - Acquisition of 65 trains for various routes across the continent - European rail service expansion announced: 65 trains commissioned from Flixtrain
Flixtrain, the long-distance train division of Flix SE, has unveiled a strategic expansion plan for its European railway network, with an order for 65 state-of-the-art high-speed trainsets. This ambitious initiative represents the largest growth phase in FlixTrain's history.
The trains, manufactured by Spanish company Talgo, are based on its Talgo 230 technical platform. Known for their lightweight design and push-pull capabilities, they are optimized for efficiency and cross-border operation. The agreement — worth up to €2.4 billion — includes an initial commitment of €1.06 billion for the first 30 trainsets.
These new trains will reach speeds of up to 230 km/h, making them suitable for high-speed travel across various European countries, including Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands. They will also offer barrier-free boarding, a first for long-distance trains in Germany, as well as advanced passenger information systems, air conditioning, and state-of-the-art Wi-Fi. Siemens will provide the locomotives for the new fleet, with the Vectron model known for its reliability and operational performance.
"Flixtrain is a European product," explained CEO André Schwämmlein. He stated that the service will commence in the German market before being extended to other countries.
The trains will be financed through a mix of equity and loans, with Schwämmlein revealing that Flixtypically purchases the vehicles regularly. Previously, partners have owned and operated the buses and trains, but Flix now views itself as a technology platform.
According to Handelsblatt, the investment receives backing from financial investor EQT and the holding company of logistics billionaire Klaus-Michael Kuhne. Both parties acquired a 35 percent stake in Flix SE in July of last year.
The German Federal Transport Minister, Patrick Schnieder (CDU), welcomed the investment as a "strong signal for the rail market." Flix currently connects around 650 destinations, with 50 cities directly linked to its network, and aims to expand both domestically in Germany and internationally across Europe, positioning itself as a pan-European rail operator.
- In line with their strategic expansion plan, Flixtrain, a division of Flix SE, will finance their new fleet of high-speed trains through a mix of equity and loans, with investments from financial investor EQT and the holding company of logistics billionaire Klaus-Michael Kuhne.
- The new trains, optimized for efficiency and cross-border operation, will be manufactured by Spanish company Talgo and equipped with Siemens' Vectron locomotives, known for their reliability and operational performance.
- These state-of-the-art trains, suitable for high-speed travel across various European countries, will offer vocational training opportunities within the railway industry, potentially benefiting local communities. Flixtrain's aim to expand both domestically in Germany and internationally across Europe positions them as a contender in the automotive and transportation business market, thereby attracting potential investors for further growth and development.
