RailTech Europe ’26 opens its doors this week on 4 and 5 March in Utrecht, bringing together industry leaders, innovators and policymakers for two days of exhibition, workshops and a conference. The event, hosted at the Jaarbeurs, will feature a diverse workshop programme, alongside companies presenting their newest innovations, and important sector discussions on the ProRail Stage.
The workshops and stage sessions will tackle topics ranging from cross-border rail bottlenecks to women’s underrepresentation in rail engineering. Meanwhile, the exhibition floor showcases novel rail technologies, including laser-based rail cleaning and automated overhead wire removal. On the ProRail Stage, discussions will explore digitalisation, labour shortages and the future of ERTMS—offering a comprehensive look at where Europe’s rail sector is headed.
The exhibition, workshops and ProRail stage are all included in the free ticket, so register here. For the exclusive high-level conference with top speakers of the European rail sector, tickets are also still available (for 1 or 2 days), view the full programme here.
Workshops: From cross-border rail hurdles to women in engineering
The workshops organised by Dutch sister publication SpoorPro kick off on Wednesday, March 4, with Jon Worth, an independent rail journalist, examining competition in the Channel Tunnel and its implications for cross-border passenger transport. His CrossBorderRail project, which tests every European rail border, exposes persistent bottlenecks in international connectivity.
Later, Elwin van Rijen of AMT Group will present the Trackbot, a track assembly robot developed with No Man Trackwork, alongside the company’s work on converting diesel equipment to electric. The same morning, a panel of women in rail—including Daphne Herweijer and Jessica Zieltjens, the only two female rail infrastructure engineers in the Netherlands—will discuss career challenges and opportunities in a male-dominated field. Ruth van der Linden, a safety officer, will join them to share insights on workplace safety and training.
On Thursday, March 5, the focus shifts to project planning and digitalisation. Sasha de Jong (Swietelsky Rail Benelux), Stefanie Pardijs (Strukton Rail) and Wendy den Besten (ProRail) will discuss women’s roles in rail project management, while VolkerRail will explore BIM and digitalisation in railway projects. The day closes with an unannounced “first”—a major Dutch project collaboration involving a leading contractor, though details remain under wraps until the event.
Find the full workshop programme here.
Exhibition highlights
The exhibition floor will feature innovations from companies across Europe. Railcare showcases its zero-emission and hybrid machines, designed to reduce carbon footprints in rail maintenance. Laser Precision Solutions (LPS) presents LaserTrain, a chemical-free rail cleaning system that uses AI and digital tools to detect issues before they disrupt operations. Visitors can see a live demonstration of the new Gen 2 model, which offers faster deployment and compliance with European track standards.
Nijhuis Engineering debuts a new machine for removing old overhead wires, developed in collaboration with Strukton. The attachment allows safe, efficient coiling of wires without heavy manual labour, addressing a long-standing industry challenge. Meanwhile, SHV introduces the RailPlatform XL12, a 12-metre scissor lift designed for overhead line maintenance, accommodating up to 10 workers—a solution born from hands-on rail experience.
Find all exhibitors here.
ProRail Stage: Digitalisation, labour shortages and ERTMS rollout
The ProRail Stage hosted by the Dutch rail infrastructure manager, features key discussions on digital transformation and workforce challenges. On March 4, Mirjam Heuvelman (ProRail’s Procurement Director) opens with a keynote on collaboration and data-driven rail operations, followed by an interactive panel on labour shortages featuring Henk van Oostveen (RailCenter) and Tjark de Vries (Strukton Rail). Later, Julien Cayet presents DigiTrack, ProRail’s structured learning programme that pairs operational challenges with emerging talent to foster innovation.
A session on scaling AI, led by Harry Sanders (ProRail’s Digital Centre of Excellence), explores how predictive maintenance and automation can transform rail efficiency. The day ends with an interview with Bastiaan Gerrits, ProRail’s new ICT Director, sharing his vision for digital rail infrastructure.
On March 5, John Voppen (ProRail CEO) discusses redefining maintenance contracts to improve network stability, while Gerard Scheffrahn outlines the Dutch ERTMS rollout plan, targeting full digital signalling by 2040. The final session, “The power of chain collaboration”, features Simone Vooijs (ProRail Projects Director) and Kevin Phoelich (VolkerRail), examining how partnerships can optimise rail infrastructure for the future.
Find the full programme of the ProRail stage here.