John Laing and Rock Rail Reach Financial Close on 61-Train Siemens Fleet in Germany

A German rolling stock market investment by John Laing Group has reached financial close. It is taking an 89% stake alongside Rock Rail in a greenfield project in Germany. John Laing Group is an international investor and active manager of infrastructure projects. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The project will finance and own a fleet of 61 Siemens Mireo battery-electric multiple units. The trains are for regional passenger services on the Northern Westphalia (NnW) network.

Under the PPP structure, the train fleet will be made available to a private operator. The operator will be designated by the contracting authority. The arrangement will run as an availability-based wet lease contract. It will last 30 years after a four-year delivery phase. The contracting authority is Zweckverband Nahverkehr Westfalen-Lippe (NWL), the public transport authority for the region.

“We are delighted with this significant new rail investment in Germany, which reflects both our greenfield investment capacity and our long-term commitment to sustainable transport infrastructure. It also marks our return to Germany, working with excellent partners—Rock Rail and Siemens—to support the transition to cleaner public transport, with a clear decarbonization benefit,” said Andrew Truscott, CEO of John Laing.

Siemens Mireo fleet for Northern Westphalia

The first trains are expected to enter service by the end of 2029. At the same time, NWL is conducting the operator selection process. The award is expected in 2026.

Also, the new fleet in Germany will replace existing diesel trains. It will support cleaner and quieter regional transport and contribute to Germany’s public transport decarbonization goals.

“Finalizing the financing for NWL is a significant milestone for Rock Rail and a new step in our continued growth in Germany. The project demonstrates how rolling stock expertise and long-term private capital can contribute to modern, low-emission transport solutions,” said Mike Kean, Chief Operating Officer of Rock Rail.

Germany’s second-largest battery train fleet

Following the transaction, Rock Rail has completed the financing stage for the project. The project is the North Westphalia Network (NnW) in Germany. This secures long-term financing for the new battery-powered electric train fleet.

In December 2025, NWL placed an order with Siemens Mobility. The order covers 61 Mireo Plus B battery-powered trains. In addition, the vehicles will be financed and supplied under a lease structure managed by Rock Rail NnW.

The order represented the largest modernisation step for regional passenger rail in the region. It will also constitute Germany’s second-largest fleet of battery-powered trains.

Zweckverband Nahverkehr Westfalen-Lippe awarded the project as the region’s public transport authority. Separately, a process to select the train operator is proceeding in parallel. The award is expected in 2026.

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