Rail Baltica shows the shape of trains to come

Take note – story published 2 years ago

The Rail Baltica project has released images giving an idea of what its future trains will probably look like.

Joint venture RB Rail AS has developed what it calls a "virtual concept train overview" to illustrate the
features of the future high-speed electric train, though it is what is described as a "general model train" rather than being a specific model from a specific manufacturer.

“Only 37% people in Estonia and Latvia and 27% in Lithuania have travelled by high-speed train, according to the survey that was carried out across the Baltic countries at the end of 2020," said Agnis Driksna, CEO and Chairperson of the Management Board at the Rail Baltica joint venture RB Rail AS.

“This requires us to even more actively inform and educate society about personal, environmental and economic benefits that the high-speed train would give to people of our region, including its overall positive impact and experience one can get when travelling by a high-speed train,” Driksna said.

"Sun, sea, and sand are reflected in the color scheme of the model train. This virtual model is an imaginary train, inspired by the most modern high-speed train sets which are in operation in Europe and elsewhere in the world," said RB Rail.

Rail Baltica train concept
Rail Baltica train concept

In the Standard Class, each train is envisaged to consist of 8 carriages with approximately 70 seats per carriage. Wi-Fi services, USB slots, charger points, and screens with updated information on the travel route will be available to all the passengers. Whereas, in First Class like in the airlines, will have a higher level of comfort such as more personal space with fewer people per carriage and extra legroom. A special area for business travelers will be available with teleconferencing facilities such as a  meeting room and presentation screen.

A cafeteria located between the standard and first class will be serving hot drinks and snacks. Dedicated spaces allow wheelchair access for passengers with reduced mobility and priority seats for senior passengers, and each restroom is envisaged to be equipped with a baby changing table. Also, there will be a special place for pets as they will be allowed to travel with owners and a special area is envisaged for bicycle and baggage storage.

Will the trains actually end up looking anything like this? Only time will tell.

As previously reported by LSM, Rail Baltica is a 5.8-billion-euro high speed rail link that will connect the Baltic states on a European-gauge track to the rest of Europe. It is being 85% financed by the European Union with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania contributing an additional 5% each. 

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