Nightjet – the flagship of European night train travel

Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) has unveiled its cutting-edge Nightjet fixed-formation locomotive-hauled trainsets designed for overnight travel, hailing them as ‘the new flagship of European overnight train travel’, according to the railway portal Railway Supply, citing Railway Gazette.

The grand unveiling took place at the former Wien Nordwest station on September 30 as part of this year’s festivities commemorating the 100th anniversary of ÖBB. Alongside the debut of these Nightjet trainsets, a newly finished Plasser & Theurer maintenance vehicle and a specially adorned Taurus electric locomotive were also showcased.

Andreas Matthä, CEO of ÖBB, remarked, ‘With the introduction of this new generation of Nightjets, ÖBB is expanding its night train fleet and will continue to lead the way in European overnight train travel. Our modern, state-of-the-art night trains will provide passengers with an unprecedented level of comfort.’

ÖBB placed an initial order for 13 seven-car Nightjet sets from Siemens Mobility in August 2018, followed by an additional 20 in August 2021, bringing the total order to 33 sets with a price tag exceeding €700 million.

These coaches belong to the manufacturer’s Viaggio family, featuring bogies developed in collaboration with Technische Universität Graz. These bogies promise an exceptionally quiet ride while being 30% lighter than previous designs, resulting in reduced lifetime energy costs and less strain on the tracks. This also allows for an increased maximum speed for night trains, from 200 to 230 km/h.

Originally, these new vehicles were slated to begin service between Austria and Italy in December 2022. However, production setbacks due to the pandemic, which led to up to 30% of factory employees being absent at times and delays in component supplies, pushed back the timeline.

ÖBB has now announced that Siemens Mobility is expected to deliver five trainsets by December of this year, facilitating their introduction on the Wien – Hamburg and Innsbruck – Hamburg routes starting from the December 10 timetable change. Ticket sales for these routes will open on October 11.

Additional services are scheduled for 2024, with the ultimate goal of replacing a majority of ÖBB’s existing night train fleet on routes spanning Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

While ÖBB plans further country certifications, these expansions are not expected in the immediate future.

Each Nightjet trainset consists of two sleeping cars (WLAmz), three couchette cars (Bcmz), and two seating cars (Bfmpz and ABbmpvz), providing a total capacity of 254 passengers.

For solo travelers seeking more privacy than a couchette, there are ‘mini cabins’ equipped with storage space, a foldable breakfast table with an integrated mirror, coat hooks, reading lights, and adjacent luggage lockers.

To access compartments, mini cabins, and luggage racks, passengers can use NFC smart cards. Amenities include a real-time passenger information system, free Wi-Fi, USB and inductive charging points, and windows that allow for mobile signal reception. Passengers will also have lighting control panels with a crew call button, and snacks and drinks will be available.

The trains are designed to accommodate six bicycles, as well as luggage, strollers, and sports equipment. Matthä emphasized that ÖBB will not impose luggage restrictions on passengers, in contrast to airlines, which are the primary competitors to night trains.

Federal Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation & Technology, Leonore Gewessler, affirmed, ‘Traveling by train is synonymous with climate protection. This holds particularly true for night trains. That’s why we are committed to expanding the European night train network together. Departing from Wien and arriving refreshed in another European city is a convenient and eco-friendly option. It’s crystal clear: the future of short and medium-haul travel belongs to railways.’

Picture: ÖBB, Siemens Mobility

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