InnoTrans 2026: Learn. See. Connect.
October 1, 2026
Rail innovation is about more than technology. It is about learning from others, experiencing new ideas firsthand, and building connections that help shape the future of transportation.
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Stefan Geisperger (left), Chairman of the Board DB E&C, and Ulrich Leister (right), CEO of DB E.C.O. North America, welcoming our guests at DB headquarters in Berlin.
From September 20 to 25, 2026, DB E.C.O. North America welcomed rail and transit leaders from across the United States and Canada to Germany for a curated InnoTrans experience. Combining technical visits, executive exchanges, and access to the world’s largest rail industry gathering, the program provided participants with a unique opportunity to engage directly with operators, manufacturers, policymakers, and industry experts from around the globe.

The week began in Berlin, where delegates explored the city’s transportation network and gained firsthand insights into Deutsche Bahn’s rolling stock maintenance strategy, digital fleet management initiatives, and long-term vision for passenger rail. Participants visited the ICE Maintenance Facility Berlin-Rummelsburg, toured Berlin Central Station, and engaged in discussions on current rail developments in both Germany and the United States.
At InnoTrans 2026, delegates experienced the scale and innovation of the global rail industry firsthand. Through guided tours, presentations, and meetings with leading manufacturers and suppliers, participants explored emerging technologies, alternative propulsion systems, station innovations, and the latest developments in rolling stock and maintenance solutions.
A key focus throughout the week was learning from different perspectives. Sessions with Deutsche Bahn experts covered topics including customer experience, rail security operations, station management, infrastructure modernization, and future mobility solutions. These exchanges provided a valuable platform to discuss shared challenges, compare approaches, and identify practices that may be adapted to North American rail systems.
Beyond presentations and site visits, the program emphasized relationship-building across the industry. Delegates participated in networking events, industry receptions, and roundtable discussions with public- and private-sector leaders. A highlight of the program was a meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, where representatives from the United States and Germany exchanged perspectives on innovation, collaboration, and the future of rail transportation. These conversations created opportunities to strengthen transatlantic partnerships and foster ongoing collaboration among transportation professionals.

While InnoTrans showcased the latest technologies and innovations, the most valuable takeaway was the exchange of ideas and perspectives among industry peers. By bringing together professionals from different organizations, regions, and countries, the program highlighted how collaboration and knowledge sharing can accelerate progress across the rail sector.
The experience continued in Munich, where participants traveled aboard Deutsche Bahn’s InterCity Express (ICE) and explored how major infrastructure investments are shaping the future of mobility. In addition to technical visits and mobility-focused discussions, delegates participated in a Transatlantic Rail Infrastructure Roundtable, bringing together infrastructure experts, transportation officials, and industry leaders from Germany and North America. The discussion explored major rail infrastructure projects, modernization strategies, funding approaches, and shared challenges facing rail systems on both sides of the Atlantic.
This curated InnoTrans 2026 experience provided participants with the opportunity to learn, see, and connect while gaining practical insights and building relationships that will continue to support the advancement of passenger rail and public transportation long after the event concluded.










