International rail operator Leo Express has unveiled a new visual identity for its long-distance Talgo trainsets, which are scheduled to enter passenger service across the Czech Republic and Slovakia during the first half of 2026.
This deployment forms part of the company’s planned expansion of its Central European network.
Leo Express Talgo train
© Leo Express
Train design and technical features
The thirteen-carriage trainsets, developed through cooperation with Spanish rail operator Renfe, have a capacity of approximately 350 passengers. The trains combine a low-floor configuration with step-free boarding and are designed to operate with multi-system locomotives.
The Talgo units incorporate a tilting mechanism and specialised bogie technology intended to provide stable travel on curved lines. The trains are capable of operating at speeds of up to 200 km/h. Interior preparations are ongoing, with seating planned in both Business and Economy classes.
Leo Express Talgo train
© Leo Express
The revised exterior design features a predominantly white body with orange accents and graphic elements referencing technology and cross-border mobility. Branding is displayed across individual carriages, while the Leo Express logo and web address are positioned on the roof to increase visibility from above.
Peter Köhler, CEO of Leo Express said:
The introduction of the Talgo trainsets represents a new chapter in Leo Express’s development. It is not just about a new design, but about expanding our services, network and brand ambitions. We will offer new connections that other operators do not.
Network growth in 2026
The Talgo fleet will support a series of service launches scheduled throughout 2026:
- Poland: A domestic Kraków–Warsaw route is due to begin on 1 March 2026, alongside international services linking Prague, Kraków and Warsaw.
- Czech Republic–Slovakia: From 30 April 2026, Talgo trains are expected to operate a new Prague–Bratislava service via Pardubice, Olomouc and other regional stops.
- Germany: Leo Express plans to enter the German market on 25 June 2026 with a long-distance route connecting Frankfurt am Main, Leipzig, Dresden, Prague, Ostrava, Kraków and Przemyśl.
- Existing corridors: Talgo trainsets are also scheduled for the Prague–Ostrava–Žilina–Prešov line from late April 2026.
- Bus integration: A Kraków–Lviv coach service linking with rail connections is set to launch on 1 March 2026.
Leo Express estimates that the new routes and additional capacity could increase annual passenger numbers by around 1.5 million, taking total ridership beyond six million in 2026.