Demonstration of the Next Generation Towards Full Digital Freight Train Operations

Organised in the Framework of the InnoTrans 2026, the demo will show the direct comparison between the new developed “DAC Basic Package” and the current screw coupler technology to build up a train in yard operation. The demonstration will be hosted at a dedicated venue located approximately a 30-minute shuttle ride from the InnoTrans exhibition grounds. A free shuttle service will be provided.

More information and registration.

Cross-border agreements: Rail interoperability challenges for rolling stock

Both legal and institutional challenges hinder seamless rail transport between EU Member States, including the traffic in border regions which is in need of facilitation. What is the current state of play, what can national stakeholders do to cooperate beside EU legal requirements and what needs to be done? 

Shaping the future of rail: a collective drive for competitiveness

The panel will focus on how strategic partnerships—such as Europe’s Rail—are pivotal in delivering the next generation of European rail, ensuring it is smarter, more resilient, and fit for the future. As rail stands at the heart of Europe’s sustainable mobility transition, collaboration across public institutions, industry, infrastructure managers, railway undertakings, technology providers and academia will be critical to scaling innovations that enhance interoperability, digitalisation, and operational efficiency at a pan-European level. 

Military Mobility – What’s moving in Europe?  

This stand presentation will showcase the ongoing work and the direction of EU policy on military mobility and give examples of interest to the industry. 

Demonstration of the Next Generation Towards Full Digital Freight Train Operations

Organised in the Framework of the InnoTrans 2026, the demo will show the direct comparison between the new developed “DAC Basic Package” and the current screw coupler technology to build up a train in yard operation. The demonstration will be hosted at a dedicated venue located approximately a 30-minute shuttle ride from the InnoTrans exhibition grounds. A free shuttle service will be provided.

More information and registration.

Women in Rail Award & gathering of diversity ambassadors

Click here for more information.

Space Meets Rail: Unlocking Satellite Communications for Europe’s Railways 

This session will explore the growing role of satellite communication and space-based services in supporting the digital transformation of the European railway system complementing traditional communication networks by providing more coverage or resilience. 

High speed rail plan – One year on 

One year after the adoption of the high-speed rail plan, this session will examine the steps taken and actions still planned to better connect Europe by high-speed rail. Infrastructure managers, railway undertakings, including new entrants are among the stakeholders expected to take part in the discussion. Topics discussed will include, among others, the overall competitiveness of the high-speed rail sector, its cross-border dimension but also the challenge of mobilising investment Union-wide to make ambitions concrete.  

Join the SERAS Rail Skills Alliance – Shaping the Future Together 

The Single European Railway Area of Skills Alliance (SERAS) project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, is aimed at establishing and expanding a sustainable Rail Skills Alliance for railway skills enhancement, ensuring a resilient, skilled, and mobile workforce across the EU. New stakeholders are invited to join the alliance as associated partners to benefit from opportunities such as networking, access to skills intelligence tools and educational hubs and platforms, visibility and EU cooperation.

Innovation: a must to cut costs & boost global opportunities 

This session will explore how innovation is helping the European railway sector reduce costs, improve performance, and be a springboard for strengthening industrial competitiveness and expanding global market opportunities, including for SMEs. 

Autonomous movements at depot 

This demo will showcase EU-Rail innovation through a live demonstration of Europe’s Rail Flagship Project FP2-R2DATO. It will bring to life the future of rail operations by showcasing fully autonomous depot movements controlled remotely from Berlin, with trains operating in Oslo without a driver onboard. It demonstrates how cutting-edge automation, real-time connectivity and intelligent control systems can safely execute complex shunting operations across borders, redefining how rail assets are managed. Beyond the technical achievement, the demo highlights a transformative shift for the industry: increased operational flexibility, reduced dependency on local workforce constraints, improved safety in high-risk environments and a clear pathway towards scalable, autonomous rail systems.

SPEAKERS’ CORNER: Operational harmonisation of digital signalling: Time for change to keep rolling! 

The cost and complexity of digitalising European railway systems are too high. To reduce them, implementations must shift from complex, legacy-based approaches to a European system based on ERTMS, and harmonised wider CCS system with common operational rules. We will discuss the current situation, the solutions, and the expected impact on the sector. 

Autonomous movements at depot 

This demo will showcase EU-Rail innovation through a live demonstration of Europe’s Rail Flagship Project FP2-R2DATO. It will bring to life the future of rail operations by showcasing fully autonomous depot movements controlled remotely from Berlin, with trains operating in Oslo without a driver onboard. It demonstrates how cutting-edge automation, real-time connectivity and intelligent control systems can safely execute complex shunting operations across borders, redefining how rail assets are managed. 

Moving Block Live Demonstration

Details coming soon.

Digital Rail Freight Innovation

This session will explore how digital innovation is transforming rail freight into a more seamless, efficient and customer-oriented transport mode. As supply chains become more interconnected and multimodal, rail freight must offer greater reliability, transparency, flexibility and ease of integration with other transport modes to strengthen its competitiveness and contribute to Europe’s sustainable mobility objectives. 

The discussion will focus on the digital technologies and operational innovations that are enabling seamless rail freight services across Europe such as integrated planning and capacity management, real-time traffic and terminal coordination, digital monitoring and predictive systems, harmonised data exchange and multimodal service integration. These innovations have the potential to improve coordination, predictability and operational efficiency across the entire freight journey, supporting more reliable and customer-oriented services. 

Passenger Package: one journey, one ticket, full rights 

On 13 May 2026 the Commission presented three legal proposals to make rail travel easier and more attractive. Wider availability of rail tickets across various online platforms and the possibility to combine tickets from different operators into a single journey, with full passenger rights. This package will unlock the full potential of rail. 

Resilience for a connected Europe: climate-proofing & cybersecurity in rail 

Europe’s rail system is increasingly exposed to climate‑driven disruptions – heatwaves, flooding, landslides – and to a rapidly evolving cyber‑threat landscape targeting digital and energy assets. These are two faces of the same resilience challenge, where physical and digital vulnerabilities reinforce each other and can compromise rail continuity. The sector therefore needs coordinated action, shared standards, and investment in both climate‑proofing and cybersecurity. We will explore how EU institutions, infrastructure managers, operators and financial actors can jointly strengthen the resilience of the Single European Rail Area (SERA).

What can EU policy do for us? Lived experience and needs of rail workers and PRM passengers 

EU rules are often very technical and it is not always obvious how they address peoples’ daily concerns. In this session, we will consider two concrete examples directly relevant to the safety and accessibility of rail: (1) the monitoring of drivers’ working, driving and rest times, and (2) the needs of passengers with reduced mobility or with disabilities. Come and join us to discuss how EU rules can change peoples’ jobs and lives! 

 Safety Dimension

Details coming soon.

Demonstration of the Next Generation Towards Full Digital Freight Train Operations

Organised in the Framework of the InnoTrans 2026, the demo will show the direct comparison between the new developed “DAC Basic Package” and the current screw coupler technology to build up a train in yard operation. The demonstration will be hosted at a dedicated venue located approximately a 30-minute shuttle ride from the InnoTrans exhibition grounds. A free shuttle service will be provided.

More information and registration.

Breaking Language Barriers: The new project Shaping the Next Era of Railway Communication

Step into the future of railway operations at the launch of the EP Pilot Project on Languages—where innovation meets collaboration. This event unites regulators, users, Notified Bodies, and digital pioneers like LLM providers to explore groundbreaking translation solutions that will redefine multilingual communication in the rail sector. Join us to shape the next generation of tools and ensure your voice is part of this transformative journey. 

Flash-forward : Start ups in rail, breaking through technologies 

Details coming soon.

Automation of authority processes and AI in rail 

Details coming soon.

Demonstration of the Next Generation Towards Full Digital Freight Train Operations

Organised in the Framework of the InnoTrans 2026, the demo will show the direct comparison between the new developed “DAC Basic Package” and the current screw coupler technology to build up a train in yard operation. The demonstration will be hosted at a dedicated venue located approximately a 30-minute shuttle ride from the InnoTrans exhibition grounds. A free shuttle service will be provided.

More information and registration.

Behind the Scenes: A Sneak Peek into the New Rail Capacity Regulation’s Rollout 

The adoption of the rail capacity regulation was just the beginning. Now, the sector is full steam ahead, developing the practical rules and structures that will make smarter capacity management a reality. Infrastructure managers, infrastructure users, rail regulators, and the Commission are working hand in hand to set up new governance bodies, align timelines, and turn legislative ambition into on-the-ground solutions. What’s happening now? This session pulls back the curtain on the ongoing collaboration as the sector continues to shape the future of rail. Join us to hear directly from those driving the change and see how the pieces are coming together to keep Europe’s railways moving forward. 

 ERA Regulation and TSI’s 

Details coming soon.

FRMCS Is Coming: Be aware, be prepared!

FRMCS specifications and their testing should conclude in September 2027. Speakers will discuss the latest status of their development and priorities of pre-deployment activities, based on a sector-wide questionnaire. The discussion will highlight industry’s readiness and migration options to FRMCS compatible ETCS versions.