Estonia's railway transport company Elron is preparing to make a significant investment to operate the Rail Baltica route, which will connect Europe to the Baltic countries. The company is planning to develop a standard 1435 mm gauge railway that can operate on 25 kV AC electricity. six high-speed electric trains announced plans to purchase. These modern trains will serve regional routes and strengthen Estonia's connection with the rest of Europe.
The new generation of Elron trains is impressively 200 km / h will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 100 km/h. The length of each train set up to 100 meters can be released and approximately 200 Passenger It will provide comfortable seating for passengers. The axle load of the trains is Not exceeding 18 tons In addition, the ability to connect double train sets will be supported to increase passenger capacity and ensure operational flexibility.
Future Technology in Elron Trains
Elron's new high-speed trains will be equipped with the latest technology. The trains will have the basic requirement for European railway systems, ETCS (European Train Control System) compliant with TSI Baseline 4 specifications This system will ensure that the trains operate safely and efficiently. However, the design of the trains is expected to revolutionize railway communication in the future. FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System) The radio communication system will also be made ready for easy integration. These features will enable the trains to offer enhanced safety and digital compatibility during international operations.
According to Elron's plans, the new trains December 2030 It is aimed to start regular passenger transport service by . Initially, these high-speed trains will operate on regional lines within Estonia, and in the future, they will be extended to Riga, the capital of Latvia, via the Rail Baltica route. This extension will further strengthen the connection between the Baltic countries and offer a faster and more comfortable travel alternative for passengers.
Tender Process and Delivery Schedule Become Clear
Elron has largely completed the tender preparations for this important train supply. The company is conducting market consultations with potential suppliers. May 9 2025 will be completed by the date. The tender process is June 2025and the contract officially started in December 2025This rapid and planned progress demonstrates the importance Elron attaches to the Rail Baltica project and its desire to accelerate the process.
According to the planned delivery schedule, the first batches of new high-speed trains are expected to arrive in Estonia in the fall of 2029 It is expected to reach 2030 km. Following these deliveries, once the necessary testing and integration processes have been completed, the trains will begin transporting passengers by the end of XNUMX. The entry into service of these modern trains will be a critical step in Estonia’s integration into the Rail Baltica network and in significantly improving the quality of regional rail transport in general. Elron’s investment will strengthen the country’s transport infrastructure by connecting Estonia more closely to Europe’s rail network and offer passengers a contemporary travel experience.
