© Alpha Trains/Bayerische Regiobahn | © Dietmar Denger
- Nouvelles Trains de voyageurs
- 09. Juin 2026
- Communiqué de presse | Alpha Trains
Alpha Trains secures long-term remarketing
FLIRT3 fleet for Bayerische Regiobahn to be equipped with ETCS for ROX concession
- Renewed leasing agreement with Bayerische Oberlandbahn GmbH
- ETCS retrofitting of an existing regional train fleet
- Long-standing partnerships minimise downtime
Cologne, 9. June 2026 - Alpha Trains is among the first private rolling stock leasing companies in Germany to invest in retrofitting the forward-looking European Train Control System (ETCS) to an existing regional train fleet. Bayerische Oberlandbahn GmbH, the former and future lessee of the seven three-car and 28 six-car Stadler FLIRT3 multiple units, operates under the BRB (Bayerische Regiobahn) brand. In July 2025, BRB won the tender from PTA Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH (BEG) for the “Rosenheimer Kreuz” (ROX) concession. As owner and lessor, Alpha Trains has commissioned the ETCS retrofit, along with a full redesign and second major overhaul of the six-car units.
Partnership-Based Engineering Competence
Investment in ETCS is a key technical prerequisite for the long-term operation of the 35 multiple units on the ROX concession routes. Alpha Trains is relying on a strong network of partners to carry out the project. Talbot Services GmbH in Aachen is responsible for carrying out the work and managing the project. InterEngineer Systems GmbH is responsible for the technical implementation of this project – from concept development to planning and engineering to verification. With its extensive expertise, InterEngineer is also handling the re-approval process for the converted vehicles, ensuring that all technical and regulatory requirements are met efficiently and reliably.
Siemens Mobility GmbH is supplying the on-board ETCS components. The collaboration between Talbot, InterEngineer, Siemens, and the Alpha Trains team brings together technological expertise, many years of industry experience, and innovative strength.
Dirk Reuters, CEO of Talbot Services GmbH comments: “We are very pleased to be implementing this technically and logistically challenging project for our customer Alpha Trains. The ETCS retrofitting of the vehicles, carried out together with our partners InterEngineer and Siemens Mobility, is an important step towards preparing existing fleets for digital rail transport.”
Alexander Milosavljević, Managing Director of InterEngineer Systems GmbH adds: “The OEM-independent selection and integration of the most suitable onboard unit is a major step towards greater openness and competition in the railway sector. With this project, we are creating a model that demonstrates how technical compatibility and economic efficiency can go hand in hand. It sends a clear signal to all operators and vehicle owners and serves as a blueprint for upcoming ETCS retrofits.”
Guido Rumpel, Head of Rail Infrastructure Germany at Siemens Mobility: "Retrofitting the Alpha Trains fleet with our ETCS Level 2 technology ensures interoperability for our customers, as our advanced onboard units comply with the latest European Baseline 4 specifications. I am particularly pleased with the intensive and, for us, very valuable cooperation with the general contractor Talbot and the system integrator InterEngineer, which makes this project groundbreaking."
Planning: Retrofitting Parallel to Revision
Close collaboration with partners and Alpha Trains’ many years of experience in complex refurbishment projects make a unique approach possible for this project: the ETCS retrofit and redesign will be carried out alongside the second major overhaul and general inspection. This requires the timely ordering and delivery of the ETCS components for series production.
By combining maintenance and modernisation measures, BRB benefits from significantly reduced downtime and optimised vehicle availability - ensuring smooth and reliable operation for passengers.
Future-Proof Fleet for a Key Transport Corridor
The new ROX transport contract and the corresponding leasing agreement between Alpha Trains and BRB will run from December 2029 to December 2043. By retrofitting the fleet with ETCS, Alpha Trains is ensuring that these proven and familiar trains will continue to meet the future digital control requirements on the heavily used routes of the ROX network, including its cross-border routes to Salzburg and Kufstein.
Bernhard Holzer, Managing Director of Alpha Trains Europa GmbH emphasizes the importance of this investment: “We see ourselves not only as a lessor, but also as a technical partner to our customers. The ETCS retrofit is a strategic investment in the longevity of our fleet and the digitalisation of railways. As one of the first private lessors in the German regional rail sector to take this step for an existing fleet, we are setting a new benchmark. By combining the retrofit with the heavy maintenance programme, we are offering our long-standing partner BRB a highly efficient solution that minimises operational costs.”
The Rosenheimer Kreuz Network: A Lifeline for Millions of Passengers
Carrying around 17 million passengers annually and covering approximately 4.9 million train kilometres per year, the Rosenheimer Kreuz (ROX) network is one of Bavaria’s most important regional transport axes. It includes the Munich–Rosenheim–Salzburg (RE 5), Munich–Rosenheim–Kufstein (RB 54), and Munich–Holzkirchen–Rosenheim (RB 58) lines.
In addition to technical upgrades, the trains will undergo a comprehensive redesign for the new contract, including the replacement of all seat cushions and covers.
Arnulf Schuchmann, Chairman of the Management Board of Bayerische Oberlandbahn GmbH and Bayerische Regiobahn GmbH:
"We are delighted to have Alpha Trains as our leasing partner, a competent and innovative company that can reliably plan and implement such a complex and innovative project – ETCS retrofitting, redesign and general inspection – from a single source. For the first time, twelve-year-old local trains are being retrofitted with ETCS, creating a blueprint that can be used as a guide for future modernisation projects."
ETCS: A Cornerstone of Europe’s Digital Rail System
The European Train Control System (ETCS) is the standardised digital train control technology for Europe, replacing more than 20 national systems and enabling seamless cross-border interoperability - such as on the routes to Salzburg and Kufstein.
ETCS not only enhances safety but also increases line capacity and long-term operational efficiency. Alpha Trains’ investment therefore represents an important contribution to the modernisation and digital transformation of Europe’s rail transport - and to strengthening rail as a sustainable, climate-friendly mode of transport.
About Alpha Trains
Alpha Trains is the leading private rolling stock lessor in Continental Europe. A total of 150 employees from 20 countries work in offices in Luxembourg, Antwerp, Cologne, Madrid, Paris and Warsaw. Alpha Trains owns more than 1,000 locomotives and passenger trains and offers tailor-made leasing solutions, comprehensive know-how in maintenance and vehicle repairs as well as long-term experience in the financing of new-build projects. Alpha Trains’ fleets are in use at many public and private operators in 22 European countries. Alpha Trains′ shareholders are APG, Arcus European Trains, PGGM and Swiss Life.
About Bayerische Oberlandbahn GmbH and Bayerische Regiobahn GmbH:
Bayerische Oberlandbahn GmbH and Bayerische Regiobahn GmbH are subsidiaries of the globally active Transdev Group. They operate under the BRB brand on behalf of Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH (BEG), which plans, finances and oversees regional and suburban rail services in Bavaria. Transdev GmbH, based in Berlin, is the largest private mobility provider in Germany, with around 9,000 employees and a turnover of approximately 1.55 billion euros. Our subsidiaries in the rail and bus sectors use our modern vehicles to transport around 200 million passengers safely and comfortably to their destinations every year. In addition, Transdev is Germany’s second-largest service provider for ticket sales and organises individual mobility solutions tailored to the customer’s needs. Transdev in Germany is part of the global Transdev Group, one of the leading international mobility service providers based in Paris, which currently employs more than 107,000 people across 19 countries and is owned by the owner-managed RETHMANN Group (66%) and Caisse des Dépôts (34%).
About InterEngineer
InterEngineer Systems GmbH is a company that specialises in engineering and retrofitting. Our team of experts has many years of experience in developing and implementing technical solutions for manufacturers that meet the highest product and functionality standards in Europe, particularly in Germany. Our services cover everything from concept and system development to functional, electrical and mechanical design, reverse engineering and refurbishment. InterEngineer also handles the safety certification, validation and approval of systems and rail vehicles. We have a particular focus on the manufacturer-independent system integration of complex railway systems. You can find out more about the InterEngineer Group and its services at: www.interengineer.com
About Siemens Mobility
Siemens Mobility is a separately managed company of Siemens AG. As a leader in intelligent transport solutions for more than 175 years, Siemens Mobility is constantly innovating its portfolio. Its core areas include rolling stock, rail automation and electrification, a comprehensive software portfolio, turnkey systems as well as related services. With digital products and solutions, and the use of industrial AI, Siemens Mobility is enabling mobility operators worldwide to make their infrastructure intelligent, increase value sustainably over the entire lifecycle, enhance passenger experience, and guarantee availability. In fiscal year 2025, which ended on September 30, 2025, Siemens Mobility posted revenue of €12.4 billion and employed around 43,400 people worldwide. Further information is available at: www.siemens.com/mobility
About Talbot Services GmbH
Talbot Services GmbH is a young yet tradition-based company in the field of rail vehicle construction. Our expertise and flexibility in implementing innovative, market-driven solutions is based on a balanced blend of Aachen′s rail vehicle history since 1838 and the fresh visions of a new generation of TALBOT. As a partner to the rail vehicle industry, our range of services includes the construction of new passenger trains, including commissioning, as well as the maintenance, repair and modernisation of all types of rail vehicles.
Press Contacts
Alpha Trains Group
Heike Zimmermann, Group Head of PR & Marketing
Telefon: +49 221 9140 9063
[email protected]
BRB – Bayerische Oberlandbahn GmbH
BRB – Bayerische Regiobahn GmbH
Telefon: +49 8024 997101 (erreichbar Montag – Freitag, 8 – 18 Uhr)
[email protected]
www.brb.de
InterEngineer Systems GmbH
Alexander Milosavljević, Geschäftsführer
Telefon: +49 4128 941 22 00
[email protected]
www.interengineer.com
Siemens Mobility
Moritz Krause
Telefon.: +49 162 3480575
[email protected]
www.siemens.com/mobility
Talbot Services GmbH
Dirk Reuters CEO
Telefon: +49 241 1821 506
[email protected]
www.talbot-services.com