Top 10 Most Interesting Trains to See at InnoTrans 2026
From 300+ km/h high-speed trains to hydrogen propulsion, battery-electric regional trains and tiny autonomous rail taxis, InnoTrans 2026 is bringing together very different visions of the future of rail.
The event takes place in Berlin from 22–25 September 2026. The latest official count lists 113 vehicles from 17 countries in the outdoor and track area, with 130 exhibitors occupying around 20,000 square metres. Alternative propulsion, automation and new night-train concepts are among this year's major themes.
Here are 10 trains and rail vehicles you shouldn't miss at InnoTrans 2026.
Here are 10 trains and rail vehicles you shouldn't miss at InnoTrans 2026.
1. Hitachi Rail ETR1000 Frecciarossa 🇮🇹
Manufacturer: Hitachi Rail
Type: High-speed train
Speed: More than 300 km/h
The ETR1000 Frecciarossa is one of the headline high-speed trains coming to InnoTrans 2026.
Its long aerodynamic nose and unmistakable red livery make it one of the most photogenic trains at the exhibition, but the engineering underneath is more important. The ETR1000 represents the new generation of European high-speed trains designed around fast international operation.
InnoTrans confirms that the ETR1000 and Hyundai Rotem's EMU-320 can both reach speeds exceeding 300 km/h.
Why see it: This is one of the trains to visit if you want to see what premium European high-speed travel looks like up close.
Look for: the aerodynamic nose, passenger areas, driver's cab and details of the high-speed bogies.
2. Hyundai Rotem EMU-320 / KTX Cheong-ryong 🇰🇷
Manufacturer: Hyundai Rotem
Type: High-speed electric multiple unit
Speed class: 320 km/h
One of the most exciting international arrivals comes from South Korea.
The EMU-320, associated with Korea's KTX Cheong-ryong generation, provides a rare opportunity to see contemporary Korean high-speed railway engineering in Europe.
Hyundai Rotem describes its second-generation EMU-320 as a 320 km/h-class distributed-traction high-speed train, with improvements to ride comfort, safety and passenger convenience.
Getting it to Berlin is impressive in itself. InnoTrans says vehicles arriving from South Korea and China were first transported to Europe by ship, with some continuing towards Berlin by inland waterway.
Why see it: Put it next to the ETR1000 in your mind and compare Korean and European approaches to high-speed rail.
Look for: its blue aerodynamic nose, distributed traction architecture and passenger interior.
3. Stadler Hydrogen Narrow-Gauge Train 🇨🇭🇮🇹
Manufacturer: Stadler
Type: Hydrogen multiple unit
Technology: Hydrogen fuel cells
Application: Narrow-gauge regional railway
This is arguably one of the most unusual trains at InnoTrans 2026.
Stadler is bringing its hydrogen-powered narrow-gauge train, which the manufacturer describes as the world's first narrow-gauge hydrogen train.
Instead of using diesel on a railway without conventional electrification, the train uses hydrogen-based propulsion. InnoTrans says ten such hydrogen vehicles can save more than 2,100 tonnes of CO₂ annually compared with diesel operation.
It is particularly interesting because alternative propulsion is often discussed in terms of conventional standard-gauge trains. Stadler demonstrates that the technology can also be engineered for more specialised networks.
Why see it: It's a practical example of how manufacturers are trying to eliminate diesel from difficult-to-electrify railways.
Look for: the propulsion equipment, hydrogen-system integration and how much equipment Stadler has managed to package into a narrow-gauge vehicle.
4. Siemens Mobility Vectron X 🇩🇪
Manufacturer: Siemens Mobility
Type: Multi-system locomotive
Highlight: Digital architecture
The locomotive is changing too.
The Vectron X is the latest generation of Siemens Mobility's successful Vectron platform and one of the major locomotive debuts to look for at InnoTrans.
Siemens describes Vectron X as combining the established locomotive platform with modern digital functions and its Xcelerator ecosystem.
InnoTrans highlights a modular vehicle structure, optimised energy efficiency and an end-to-end digital architecture intended to give operators more flexibility throughout the locomotive's lifecycle — including maintenance and future software updates.
In other words, this is increasingly a computer on wheels capable of pulling a train.
Why see it: Vectron X demonstrates how software is becoming almost as important as mechanical engineering in modern locomotives.
Look for: the new exterior, driver's cab and digital systems rather than only the traction hardware.
5. CAF Civity BEMU 🇪🇸🇩🇪
Manufacturer: CAF
Type: Battery Electric Multiple Unit
Future operation: North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
The CAF Civity BEMU represents one of the strongest trends at InnoTrans 2026: using batteries to eliminate diesel trains without electrifying every kilometre of railway.
A BEMU — Battery Electric Multiple Unit — can take power from overhead catenary on electrified sections and charge its onboard batteries. Those batteries then power the train when it enters a section without overhead wires.
And CAF has recently demonstrated just how far the technology has progressed.
In August 2026, a production Class 557 Civity BEMU for VRR achieved 273 km in battery-only mode during a range test at Wildenrath. A Class 557 unit will be exhibited at InnoTrans.
Why see it: Battery trains may be one of the most realistic near-term replacements for diesel regional trains.
Look for: roof-mounted equipment, battery integration, low-floor architecture and the passenger interior.
6. CRRC Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Hybrid Locomotive 🇨🇳
Manufacturer: CRRC
Type: Hydrogen hybrid locomotive
Technology: Hydrogen + battery hybrid system
China is bringing another alternative to diesel: a hydrogen fuel-cell hybrid locomotive.
CRRC has already been developing hydrogen-powered locomotives for heavy-haul and shunting applications, combining alternative energy technology with conventional railway locomotive engineering.
For InnoTrans 2026, the official World Innovation information identifies a 2,000 kW CRRC hybrid locomotive, while InnoTrans says this is the first time CRRC will present its hydrogen fuel-cell hybrid locomotive at the event.
Why see it: Compare it directly with Stadler's hydrogen passenger train. Both use hydrogen, but they're solving completely different railway problems.
Look for: hydrogen storage, fuel-cell equipment, batteries and how the hybrid system is integrated into a full-size locomotive.
7. Alstom Traxx 🇫🇷
Manufacturer: Alstom
Type: Mainline locomotive
Highlight: Advanced onboard signalling
The Traxx may look less futuristic than an autonomous rail taxi, but it illustrates another huge transformation happening in European railways: digital interoperability.
Alstom will have three vehicles at InnoTrans 2026, including two Traxx locomotives equipped with innovative onboard signalling technology.
For international freight and passenger operators, a locomotive's ability to communicate with different train-control systems can be crucial. The future of European rail isn't only about building faster locomotives; it's also about making it easier for them to operate across national networks.
Why see it: It is a good example of how conventional-looking railway hardware is becoming significantly more sophisticated underneath.
Look for: signalling equipment, pantographs, cab technology and the locomotive's multi-system equipment.
8. Stadler Battery-Powered Regional Train / FLIRT Akku 🔋
Manufacturer: Stadler
Type: Battery-electric regional train
Technology: Battery propulsion
Stadler isn't betting on only one alternative to diesel.
Alongside its hydrogen narrow-gauge vehicle, Stadler is bringing a battery-powered regional train as part of a seven-vehicle InnoTrans 2026 display.
The company's FLIRT Akku platform is designed around battery-electric operation, allowing trains to travel beyond electrified sections without switching to diesel propulsion.
That makes the Stadler display particularly interesting because visitors can compare hydrogen and battery propulsion from the same manufacturer.
Why see it: It gives you a chance to examine two competing approaches to decarbonising regional rail in one place.
Look for: battery modules, roof equipment, charging strategy and differences from a conventional electric FLIRT.
9. RailEvo Autonomous Rail Taxi 🇮🇹 🤖
Developer: RailEvo
Type: Autonomous on-demand rail vehicle
Capacity: 4–6 passengers
Now things get strange.
What if instead of waiting for a scheduled train, you opened an app and ordered a rail taxi?
That's the idea behind RailEvo.
The company describes a network of autonomous vehicles carrying four to six passengers, providing 24/7 on-demand journeys between stations. Instead of stopping at every station, individual vehicles could travel directly to a passenger's destination.
A full-scale prototype was unveiled in Trento in April 2026.
InnoTrans describes RailEvo as the world's first autonomous rail taxi.
Why see it: Because this is less about redesigning the train and more about redesigning the entire idea of railway service.
Look for: sensors, autonomous-driving equipment, its tiny passenger compartment and the unusual vehicle proportions.
10. MONOCAB 🇩🇪 🤖
Developer: TH Ostwestfalen-Lippe
Type: Autonomous single-rail vehicle
Purpose: Rural mobility
And then there's MONOCAB.
At first glance, it barely looks like a conventional train at all.
The concept uses small gyro-stabilised single-rail vehicles and is being developed as a possible way of making better use of existing railway infrastructure in rural areas.
Recent tests on Germany's Extertalbahn have focused on automated operation, stable guidance and environmental perception using technologies including cameras and radar.
InnoTrans specifically lists MONOCAB among its 2026 autonomous rail exhibits and describes it as an autonomous monorail vehicle developed by TH Ostwestfalen-Lippe for rural areas.
Why see it: Because it challenges one of our most basic assumptions about railways: that a train needs two rails, many passengers and a fixed timetable.
Look for: its balancing mechanism, sensor system and the extraordinary difference in scale between MONOCAB and the high-speed trains nearby.
So, What Should You See First?
The best thing about the InnoTrans 2026 track display is that there isn't one single vision of the future.At one end, the ETR1000 Frecciarossa and EMU-320 are pushing conventional rail beyond 300 km/h. At the other, RailEvo and MONOCAB are asking whether future trains need to look like trains at all.
Between them you'll find battery propulsion from CAF and Stadler, hydrogen technology from Stadler and CRRC, the digitally focused Siemens Vectron X and increasingly sophisticated onboard signalling in Alstom's Traxx locomotives.
The outdoor exhibition alone uses 11 tracks covering approximately 3.5 kilometres.
So don't visit InnoTrans 2026 simply looking for the biggest locomotive.
Look for the technologies underneath the trains: hydrogen, batteries, autonomous driving, digital signalling, software-defined vehicles and international high-speed rail.
Those are the technologies that make the 2026 edition especially interesting — and they give you a glimpse of what railway travel could look like over the next decade.
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