A New Era For Train Travel – FlixTrain Has Ordered 65 New European High-Speed Trains
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Flix.
These four bullet points act as sub-headings.
- FlixTrain has ordered 65 new European high-speed trains, produced by Spanish train manufacturer Talgo, with locomotives supplied by Siemens
- The contract volume amounts up to EUR 2.4 bn, including certain maintenance services
- Flix sees enormous market potential for FlixTrain in Germany and Europe
- CEO André Schwämmlein: “We will start a new era of train travel”
These three paragraphs add more details.
FlixTrain, a subsidiary of the global travel–tech company Flix SE, today announced that it has ordered 65 new European high-speed trains. Talgo will provide the respective trainsets and certain maintenance services, while Siemens will provide the locomotives. The contract volume amounts up to EUR 2.4 bn, of which more than EUR 1 bn is already firmly committed.
With this strategic move, FlixTrain is responding to the growing demand for fast and affordable rail travel. The company intends to use the new high-speed trains to leverage the enormous market potential in Germany and Europe. The high-speed rail market in Germany is expected to grow by 45% by 2030, compared to 2021 volume. Across Europe, the market potential is even greater – around EUR 27 bn in 2023 with an expected annual growth of 4 – 5%.¹ In 2024 alone, FlixTrain expanded its offering by 40%, and recorded significant passenger growth, building on the strong results of 2023.
“We are pursuing a long-term strategy with FlixTrain and we will significantly expand our services in the coming years,” says André Schwämmlein, CEO and co-founder of Flix. “With the tremendous expansion of our train fleet, we will start a new era of train travel in Germany and Europe.” FlixTrain’s overall goal is to bring more people to sustainable travel by train: “We plan not only to increase our market share, but also to significantly grow the market itself”.
It looks like they’re creating a Lumo in Germany.
I have some thoughts.
The Politics
The press release says this about the German government’s view.
On the political side, the newly formed German government has acknowledged the immense potential of long-distance rail by committing to long-term investments in rail infrastructure and a reform of the track access system in Germany. These plans could unlock more private investment in Germany’s rail sector, fostering innovation for a broader range of services. Ultimately, this would lead to more competition and a better offer for customers.
I don’t think, they would be allowed to set up in the UK, as they take revenue from Great British Railways.
I can also see FlixTrain appealing to a future Reform UK government.
Passenger Service
The press release says this.
At the same time, FlixTrain works closely with the European Commission to foster European train travel and to provide a better overall offer for passengers.
I can see FlixTrain providing a better value service in Europe, than that provided in the UK by Great British Railways.
FlixTrain Is A European Product
The press release says this.
Currently, thanks to a comprehensive cooperation with regional transport, around 650 destinations are bookable via FlixTrain; 50 cities are directly connected to the vast FlixTrain network. Together with around 300 FlixBus stops in Germany alone, Flix provides a unique intermodal long-distance travel offer of international bus services and high-speed train connections. The new trains are intended to drive expansion in Germany and other European countries. “We see FlixTrain as a European product. Starting from our home market, we also want to make the service available in other countries” adds Schwämmlein.
I regularly see Flixbuses in London on their way to where?
Conclusion
If FlixTrain is allowed to setup in the UK, Great British Railways is finished for long distance services.
So of course, it won’t be allowed to setup in the UK or even come through the Channel Tunnel.
The Anonymous Widower 
I’ve been on a Flixbus from Bruges to Dover through the Chunnel. Was expecting it to take the ferry but it used the shuttle instead – a very boring 30 mins or so. You can get off the coach, but absolutely nothing to do or look at if you do. Flixbus can be amazingly cheap – I was on one Bari-Naples recently – about 3 hours for €8. Don’t think I’ve been on a Flixtrain yet though.
Comment by Peter Robins | May 27, 2025 |
I’ve not been on one of their coaches, but I believe that the coach travel market will be enlivened by the arrival of mouse-quiet hydrogen fuel cell coaches, with very long ranges.
Wrightbus brings out their offering in 2027.
If Great British Railways don’t get their act together, hydrogen coaches and a smart operator will make mincemeat of them. But then Heidi Alexander will ban hydrogen-powered coaches!
Comment by AnonW | May 27, 2025 |
I don’t see hydrogen being able to compete with batteries in the coach market. Yutong ran a trial of their latest super-duper last winter in Finland, with snow-covered roads in temps of -20C. It managed >600km on one charge. You don’t need very long distances with coaches (or lorries for that matter), as drivers are required to rest after a certain distance/time anyway. Once fast chargers are installed at every rest stop, then the coach/lorry can be recharged whilst the driver goes to the loo/has a meal/snooze/whatever. The Chinese are leading the, er, charge with the latest fast chargers taking little longer than a fossil refuel. What you do need is enough power in reserve to keep the ‘hotel’ functions working if you get stuck in a jam or whatever which delays you for an hour or two (particularly in temps of -20). Flixbus are currently trialling battery coaches on London-Cambridge https://www.flixbus.co.uk/CambridgeEV and (I think) London-Leicester, after some trials in Germany. (Now I come to mention it, I shall be in Cambridge later this week – might even be tempted to try this out.)
I used one of Ember’s Yutong coaches last year, from Dunblane to Glasgow, with some seriously impressive acceleration, leaving ICEs in the dust. I booked on my phone from the pub some 20 mins beforehand, strolled up the road to the stop, and then just gave my name to the driver – that was it. Cheap, simple, and no emissions! I have seen the future, and it works.
Comment by Peter Robins | May 27, 2025
I see Ember have been expanding recently, with Edinburgh/Glasgow to Fort William recently started, and Aberdeen-Inverness starting on Thursday (though you have to change in Aberdeen if you want to go on to Edinburgh/Glasgow) https://www.ember.to/map/ They say they now have 38 electric coaches, and have ‘ultra-fast’ charging points in Aberdeen and Dundee, with additional ones in Fort William/Inverness/Paisley opening soon. Interestingly, they are open to other coach/HGV operators to use.
Meanwhile, on Scotland’s railways, E Kilbride’s electrification seems to be on track for year end, but AFAIK there are no other electrification plans, and no plans for introducing bi-modes either.
Comment by Peter Robins | June 3, 2025