Austrian state railway operator ÖBB has announced a full-scale modernization of its 60 Siemens Viaggio Comfort high-speed trains operating under the Railjet brand, to be completed by 2031. The upgrade will affect both the coaches and the locomotives.
“The first upgraded Railjet will debut on the Koralmbahn — the new double-track high-speed line between Graz and Klagenfurt — when it opens in December 2025,” said ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä.
The refurbishment includes replacing first- and second-class seats with new models and upgrading business class with improved footrests, armrests, and larger fold-out tables. The interior design will be aligned with that of the new nine-car Railjet trains currently being delivered by Siemens under a 2018 contract. Trains will also receive new flooring, an upgraded passenger information system, designated stroller spaces, and vending machines for snacks and drinks.
The seven-car Siemens Viaggio Comfort trains were delivered between 2008 and 2016. With some units now past the halfway point of their expected 30-year service life, the modernization aims to extend functionality and comfort. Railjet trains, capable of speeds up to 230 km/h, operate in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
In April 2024, ÖBB rolled out the first of eight next-generation Railjet trains ordered from Siemens, each with a seating capacity of 532. In March 2024, ÖBB signed an additional €405 million deal with Siemens for 19 more units.
