The comprehensive modernisation of the MittelrheinBahn fleet has now been successfully completed, marking a major milestone for regional rail on Germany’s Middle Rhine corridor.
Backed by a €3 million investment from public transport authorities and a substantial multi‑million‑euro contribution from fleet owner Alpha Trains, all 17 Siemens Desiro Mainline (ML) units have been upgraded to deliver the technical and visual standard of new rolling stock. The final refurbished train was officially unveiled yesterday at the Siemens Mobility test centre in Wegberg‑Wildenrath, formally concluding the programme.
Passengers travelling the full route between Cologne, Koblenz and Mainz are now benefitting from a consistent, modernised fleet offering improved comfort, digital connectivity and a refreshed appearance.
Extending asset life through sustainable refurbishment
Rather than procuring new trains, the project demonstrates how targeted investment in existing rolling stock can deliver long‑term sustainability benefits. The Desiro ML units have been operating on the route since 2008, and the complete refurbishment significantly extends their service life while conserving resources and reducing embedded carbon.
The modernisation aligns with the current transport contract, which came into force in December 2023 following a joint tender by the regional rail authorities Zweckverband Schienenpersonennahverkehr Rheinland‑Pfalz Nord (SPNV‑Nord), Zweckverband Öffentlicher Personennahverkehr Rheinland‑Pfalz Süd (ZÖPNV‑Süd) and Zweckverband go.Rheinland. The contract was once again awarded to incumbent operator Trans Regio.
Delivering modern standards without service disruption
One of the project’s key challenges was maintaining timetable stability while upgrading the fleet. Vehicles were transferred to the Siemens Mobility workshop in Wildenrath on a rolling basis, ensuring the MittelrheinBahn service remained fully operational throughout the programme.
With the final unit now returned to service, the fleet offers passengers a uniform standard across the entire route.
Passenger‑focused upgrades
The modernisation delivers tangible benefits for customers, including:
- Modern interior layout with reconfigured seating for increased legroom, larger side tables with integrated handholds and energy‑efficient LED lighting
- Digital passenger services, including free Wi‑Fi, additional power sockets and modern TFT screens with real‑time information
- Refreshed exterior design, featuring a full paint refurbishment with newly painted doors and front panels
Increased capacity for the Middle Rhine corridor
Alongside the 17 refurbished Desiro ML units, Alpha Trains also provides six new Siemens Mireo multiple units, which have been supplementing the MittelrheinBahn fleet since late 2020. These trains enable capacity increases through triple‑unit operation on the busiest sections of the route.
Maintenance of the entire fleet continues to be carried out at Trans Regio’s depot in Koblenz‑Moselweiß.
Leadership perspectives
Thorsten Müller, Director of SPNV‑Nord, said:
“For our passengers, the modernised MittelrheinBahn means one thing above all else: a noticeable improvement in quality on every single journey. More legroom, more comfortable seats and additional storage space make even longer journeys significantly more pleasant. Added to this are reliable Wi‑Fi, power sockets at each seat and up‑to‑date passenger information in real time. These are precisely the improvements that make everyday life easier and turn the railway into an attractive part of daily life. This successful modernisation demonstrates that we can enhance the appeal of local rail passenger transport through targeted investment in our existing fleet.”
Michael Heilmann, Director of ZÖPNV‑Süd, added:
“The MittelrheinBahn forms the core service for regional transport on the left bank of the Rhine between Mainz, Bingen and Koblenz. With the completion of the rolling stock modernisation, we are now offering contemporary comfort in these trains too: the cramped seating has been replaced to allow for more legroom, and Wi‑Fi has been retrofitted. These aspects have gained in importance with the introduction of the Deutschland‑Ticket and the resulting increased use of trains – in some cases, passengers travel non‑stop from Cologne to Mainz. Part of the project’s success is also that the work was organised in such a way that there were no significant disruptions for passengers. This is by no means a given in today’s rail transport.”
Sven Kleine, authorised signatory at go.Rheinland, said:
“The modernised rolling stock offers passengers noticeably greater comfort and contemporary facilities. At the same time, the refurbishment is a sustainable way of bringing existing rolling stock up to date whilst conserving resources. In this way, we are strengthening local rail passenger transport along the Middle Rhine and, together with our partners, ensuring a reliable and attractive service for the region.”
Dietmar Knerr, Managing Director of Trans Regio, commented:
“The modernisation of our Desiro fleet whilst services were running, in collaboration with Alpha Trains, Siemens and the transport authorities, was carried out with perfect coordination, enabling us to offer our passengers a stable service throughout the entire period. We are delighted that we can now offer a high standard of comfort across all MittelrheinBahn vehicles, matching that of new rolling stock.”
Bernhard Holzer, Managing Director of Alpha Trains Europa GmbH and responsible for the ‘Passenger’ division, concluded:
“The well‑coordinated and rapidly implemented modernisation of the entire fleet whilst services continued to run was a logistical masterpiece by all those involved. The fact that the project was implemented so smoothly underlines the strong and trusting partnership between the regional rail authorities involved, Trans Regio, Siemens Mobility and Alpha Trains. We are delighted that our customer can now offer its passengers a standard of quality across the entire route that is in no way inferior to that of a new vehicle.”
Image credits: Alpha Trains Europe
