Next-generation overnight train concepts are attracting attention in Europe, and new mock-ups were unveiled at the 2026 edition of InnoTrans, the international railway trade fair. A diverse range of participants, including startups and space development agencies, are involved.
Efforts to revive overnight trains, particularly in Europe, are gathering pace, and new overnight train concepts attracted attention at InnoTrans 2026. Exhibitors included not only traditional railway operators but also startups and space development agencies, which displayed mock-ups featuring a range of interiors, including fully flat seats and private compartments.
The decline of overnight trains was driven by the environmental burden of long-distance transportation and the rise of low-cost transport, while the aging of older rolling stock has been identified as a challenge. Some vehicles are 40–50 years old, and production of new cars has been halted for around 20 years. As a result, some private companies are still operating vehicles built in the 1950s.
Meanwhile, Austrian Federal Railways resumed overnight train services under the Nightjet brand in 2016, and growing environmental awareness is providing further momentum. New operators are entering the market across Europe, driving the expansion and diversification of overnight train networks.
The new trend in overnight trains appears to be supported not only by the traditional national railway operators but also by technological innovation from private companies and the introduction of new business models. This could lead to further diversification in service design and interiors.