# Talgo and Flixtrain European rail expansion

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/talgo-and-flixtrain-european-rail-expansion
> Updated: 2026-09-23T11:07:48.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 2.

Spanish manufacturer Talgo is highlighting its recent European rail contracts and technological advancements at the InnoTrans exhibition in Berlin. These include a €756 million agreement with Sweden’s Trafikverket for locomotives, train compositions, and maintenance services, as well as work for the German operator Flixtrain.

At the InnoTrans trade fair, Flixtrain unveiled its first completed wagon from Talgo, marking a milestone in a larger order for 65 new high-speed train sets. Supported by a €2.4 billion investment, Flixtrain plans to introduce hourly service on the Hamburg-Berlin route starting in 2027, aiming to provide faster travel times than Deutsche Bahn’s ICE trains on certain routes. 

The company intends to double its current fleet of 16 trains by 2028 through a combination of refurbished vehicles and new high-speed models capable of reaching speeds up to 230 km/h. This expansion includes a tiered service model where the new Talgo-built ‘Star’ trains will serve as a high-speed ‘Comfort’ class, while existing fleet members transition to a ‘Classic’ designation. The network expansion seeks to connect smaller cities and metropolitan areas, such as Munich, to the broader network. 

In addition to rail expansion, Flix has launched ‘Flix for Business’, a digital booking portal intended to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in managing and settling business travel for buses and trains across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

## Claims

- Flixtrain plans to implement hourly service on the Hamburg-Berlin route during 2027. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Flixtrain travel times on certain routes are intended to be faster than Deutsche Bahn's ICE trains. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The company aims to double its current 16-train fleet by 2028 using refurbished used vehicles. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Starting in 2028, the company will add 65 new high-speed trains ordered from Talgo. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Flix aims to expand its network to include smaller cities and medium-sized centers in Germany. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Flix is investing approximately 2.4 billion euros into its fleet expansion. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Munich metropolitan area is planned to be connected to the network by 2028, including a potential Berlin connection. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Deutsche Bahn currently maintains a market share of approximately 95 percent in German long-distance rail. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-23: Flix expands German rail services with 2.4 billion euro investment

Flix is investing 2.4 billion euros to expand its Flixtrain fleet, aiming for hourly service between Hamburg and Berlin by 2027 and introducing new high-speed 'Star' trains by 2028.

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/flixtrain-to-expand-german-rail-network-with-24-billion-euro-investment

### 2026-09-22: Talgo showcases major European rail contracts at InnoTrans

At InnoTrans in Berlin, Talgo is showcasing major European contracts, including a €756 million project for Sweden and a €2.4 billion high-speed train order for Flixtrain.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/talgo-showcases-major-european-rail-contracts-at-innotrans

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Cite as: Talgo and Flixtrain European rail expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/talgo-and-flixtrain-european-rail-expansion