Our cover photograph this week is of Berlin's Hauptbahnhof at sunset. Photo ID: 18895190 | Berlin © Draghicich | Dreamstime.com
Poland
Building on the success of their first service, which commenced on September 18, Regiojet will introduce a second return service between Kraków and Warszawa Gdańsk from Monday November 17. Departing Kraków at 05:14 and returning from Warszawa at 12:02, the journey times will be 2 hours 45 minutes and 3 hours 15 minutes respectively, the longer journey time from Warszawa caused by a 7 minute stop at Zawiercie. Introductory fares start from around 9 złoty (£2) and Regiojet are planning shorter journey times from December 14.
Alstom has clinched a significant deal with PKP Intercity – Poland’s national long-distance operator – for the supply of 42 Coradia Max double-deck electric multiple units (EMUs). The contract also covers 30 years of comprehensive maintenance, ensuring the fleet remains in top condition throughout its service life.
France/Germany
European Sleeper has announced plans to relaunch the overnight train service between Paris and Berlin from March 2026. The route, which will run three times a week via Brussels, marks a significant expansion of the operator’s network of international night trains.
The new service will complement the existing Brussels–Praha night train, which also operates three times a week. Together, the two routes will make it possible to travel between Brussels and Berlin on six days each week, strengthening cross-European rail connections and offering a sustainable alternative to short-haul flights.
Switzerland
On Friday, Siemens Mobility of Germany secured a CHF 2.1 billion contract to supply 116 new double-decker trains for the Zurich S-Bahn and regional services in western Switzerland. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) selected Siemens from three bidders, citing investment, operating and maintenance costs, as well as sustainability, as key factors in the decision, according to SBB CEO Vincent Ducrot.
