THE biennial Innotrans global rail trade fair saw more than 160,000 people visit from 110 countries, with more than 3,000 companies from 61 countries exhibiting.
The event was held in Berlin in September.
As well as the 145 different items of rolling stock on show, which ranged from entire eight-coach trains to individual freight wagons, the extensive indoor exhibition area offered everything from individual component suppliers to major train builders.
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Several new trains for the UK were on show, including Class 717 and 745 EMUs and a new Glasgow subway train.
What is on show at Innotrans often becomes commonplace within two or three years, so the big trends are worth spotting.
The biggest single new trend – apparent with almost every train builder – was battery power instead of diesel to enable trains to operate beyond the catenary.
Siemens had a train on display (‘Desiro ML’ for Austrian operator OBB), Bombardier demonstrated another (‘Talent 3’ for DB in Germany) to the media off site, and both Stadler and Alstom announced plans for more, with the latter’s iLINT hydrogen and battery powered train entering public service in mid September in northern Germany.
Read more and view more images in the November issue of The RM – on sale now!
