InnoTrans 2026: Specialist topics on stage, logistics behind the scenes

With 3,170 exhibitors from 59 countries and 180 world premieres, InnoTrans 2026 was once again a key meeting place for the international rail industry. For four days, trade visitors from all over the world took the opportunity to discuss the latest developments in rail transport, digitalisation and automation.

At the Deutsche Bahn stand, DB Cargo played an active role in the specialist programme. In four presentations, colleagues provided insights into current projects and future topics in rail freight transport. 

DB Cargo’s first topic on Tuesday was the digitalisation of the rail system. With ETCS, DAK and FRMCS, implementation is key: once the technical retrofitting is complete, the rolling stock should be able to return to passenger service quickly. At the same time, there must be sufficient workshop capacity available. Andreas Lipka (DB Cargo), Thomas Bayrhof (DB InfraGO) and Stefan Christian Hofstetter (European Loc Pool) provided all the details.

How can heavier freight trains operate without requiring additional train paths? This was precisely the focus on Wednesday with the Distributed Power System (DPS). Niels Weigelt and Maximilian Hoff from DB Cargo, together with Markus Schinko, Managing Director of Logistik Service GmbH (LogServ), demonstrated how a locomotive at the front of the train controls a second locomotive at the rear via radio. This allows train loads to be increased by up to 30 per cent. A practical example: on diversion routes during corridor renovation works in Germany, trains can normally carry around 2,400 tonnes. With DPS, the possible train load rises to more than 3,300 tonnes. This enables LogServ to continue supplying its sites with raw materials and transporting products to customers. 

The day also focused on the rapidly growing importance of CO₂ logistics. With new carbon capture projects, transport demand is rising between capture plants, hubs, storage sites and further processing facilities. Such transport is already possible by rail today, including across borders. This was demonstrated by our experts on the subject of rail-based CO₂ transport, Andreas Schulze-Persch and Stephan Bude.

On Thursday, the presentation by Elisa Sengle and Vitali Rjasanzew-Frey focused on camera bridges and artificial intelligence. These systems automatically collect data on freight wagons. Artificial intelligence can analyse this data and detect damage. In future, this data will also be used to identify maintenance requirements. This forms the basis for predictive maintenance.

The enthusiastic response to the presentations and the numerous discussions with customers, partners and industry representatives underlined the importance of face-to-face dialogue for the further development of sustainable logistics solutions.

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European Large-Scale Retrofits – Integrated Migration Planning in Rail Freight Transport. Three in One Go: How to Fit ETCS, DAK and FRMCS onto the Same Locomotive with Andreas Lipka (Head of Digital Automatic Coupling Migration, DB Cargo AG), Thomas Bayrhof (Head of the ERTMS Coordination Unit for Infrastructure and Rolling Stock, DB InfraGO) and Stefan Hofstetter (CTO, European Lokpool) 

Rail-based CO₂ logistics as the key to carbon capture in Europe with Andreas Schulze (Development & Excellence) and Stephan Bude (Dangerous Goods Officer), both from Liquids & Bulk at DB Cargo AG, 

Distributed Power System: How distributed radio-controlled traction enables heavier freight trains with Niels Weigelt (DPS Project Manager, DB Cargo AG), Maximilian Hoff (Sales, Voestalpine, DB Cargo AG) and Markus Schinko (Managing Director, LogServ & CargoServ)

Smart Maintenance: What if every freight wagon could tell its own story? How continuous monitoring and AI are transforming freight wagon maintenance with Elisa Sengle (AI Project Manager for Digital Freight Wagon Diagnostics) and Vitali Rjasanzew-Frey (Maintenance Ordering Wagons), both from DB Cargo AG