Ostrava has become the centre of the railway industry. The international railway trade fair and conference Rail Business Days opened today at the Trojhalí Karolina complex, attended by Minister of Transport Ivan Bednárik, Tomáš Ignačák, Chairman of the Board of ACRI – the Association of Czech Railway Industry, and other industry representatives. At the event, Czech companies are presenting cutting-edge products, technologies and innovations for modern, safe and sustainable mobility.
The Czech railway industry is demonstrating that it ranks among important European suppliers of solutions for rail transport – from modern vehicles and their components, signalling and control systems, through infrastructure technologies, interiors and intelligent electronics, to testing and service.
Almost 140 companies are presenting at the fair, with their exhibitions located in two indoor halls as well as in the outdoor area. A total of 17 rail vehicles are displayed on the adjacent tracks, including, for example, the new-generation BEMU battery train from the Czech manufacturer Škoda Group.
“The common theme of the Czech railway industry’s participation is the ability of domestic companies to deliver modern technologies for fast, safe, efficient and sustainable rail transport, as well as their readiness to contribute to the further development of railway infrastructure, including high-speed rail projects in the Czech Republic,” says Marie Vopálenská, Director General of ACRI – the Association of Czech Railway Industry.
Presentation of ACRI Member Companies at Rail Business Days 2026
Škoda Group, a leading European manufacturer of zero-emission mobility solutions and the most important Czech manufacturer of rail vehicles, with production capacities also located in Ostrava, is presenting the new-generation RegioPanter battery train at Rail Business Days. The modern BEMU unit is designed primarily for regions with a partially electrified railway network and enables quiet, comfortable and zero-emission operation also on lines without overhead contact lines. The train combines electric and battery traction; it recharges continuously while running under overhead lines and can travel up to 80 kilometres in battery mode. Its maximum speed is 160 km/h under overhead lines and 120 km/h on battery power. The new generation was developed from the outset as a fully fledged battery train. It uses lithium-titanate batteries with an enhanced level of fire safety and an optimised traction system with SiC converters, making it lighter, more energy-efficient and more powerful than the previous solution. Škoda Group is currently manufacturing 15 of these trains for Czech Railways and the Moravian-Silesian Region, has received its first foreign orders from Latvia and Slovakia, and, together with other contracts, has more than 100 battery trains in various stages of production or order.
Škoda Group’s presentation will also include digital solutions for modern railway transport, including systems for fleet management, diagnostics, maintenance support and more efficient vehicle operation.
BORCAD, a leading European manufacturer of seats for rail vehicles based in Fryčovice, is presenting the electrically operated COMFORT VIP seat at Rail Business Days 2026. The seat is supplied in series production to the Croatian company Končar for vehicles manufactured for Croatian Railways. The presentation also includes FLEXIO seats designed for long-distance transport. BORCAD seats are also part of the exhibitions of other exhibitors: at the MOLPIR stand, visitors can see a sample of seats for the STANDARD class of RegioJet trains, while additional seats are also presented in the Škoda BEMU battery train, where VISIO seats are installed. BORCAD’s presentation thus demonstrates the ability of Czech interior suppliers to contribute to both domestic and international rail vehicle projects and to deliver solutions for various segments of railway transport – from regional trains and long-distance services to premium travel classes.
MSV Elektronika, a Czech manufacturer of electronics for rail vehicles based in Studénka, is focusing at Rail Business Days 2026 on LED lighting and control systems for rail vehicles. The company develops and manufactures electronic control and operating systems, information systems, solutions for door, toilet and water management control, electronics for braking systems, LED lighting and other electronics for railway transport. At the fair, it is presenting the new generation of BKS25 LED luminaires and the related control system. These solutions form part of a broader portfolio of onboard electronics, control and diagnostics for rail vehicles. LED lighting and control technologies are also examples of components with a direct impact on passenger comfort as well as the technical parameters of vehicles.
Pars Komponenty, a Czech manufacturer of specialised interior and technical components for rail vehicles based in Studénka, is presenting solutions designed for current European projects at Rail Business Days 2026. The presentation includes a driver partition for the M34 tram operated in Gothenburg, Sweden. The company is also presenting pressure-tight doors for the driver’s cab of the Swedish Civity Nordic train and a hinged window for the French Oxygène train. The presentation of Pars Komponenty thus highlights the ability of Czech companies to supply specialised elements for specific foreign projects and various types of rail vehicles. It also shows that an important part of the Czech railway industry consists not only of large vehicles, but also technically demanding interior and structural components that influence safety, functionality and operational comfort.
DT – Výhybkárna a strojírna, a Czech manufacturer of turnouts and components for railways, tramways and metro systems based in Prostějov, is marking 70 years since the start of turnout production in Prostějov in 1956 at Rail Business Days 2026. At its stand, the company is presenting its portfolio of products and innovations for modern rail infrastructure. Its presentation demonstrates the role of turnout systems as a key element of safe, reliable and high-capacity railway and urban rail transport. DTVS has long been strengthening its position on foreign markets and the share of exports in its production has been gradually increasing. Germany remains its main foreign market, but its products are also known to customers in the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil and Australia. The company manufactures not only standard turnout systems, but also highly precise and structurally demanding assemblies, such as complete tramway crossings, as well as specialised solutions including rack railway turnouts. High-speed turnouts, developed through the company’s own research and development, also form an important part of its know-how and confirm its ability to participate in the most demanding projects in modern railway infrastructure.
The Czech technology company AŽD is focusing at the fair on technologies for railway signalling, control and digitalisation. In its exhibition, it is presenting new functional features of the StationSWing ESA station signalling system. Another topic is the company’s experience with the installation of the unified European Train Control System, ETCS, which is essential for the further modernisation and interoperability of railway transport. The company is also presenting new functional features of the TrafficSWing GTN telematics application – a graphical and technological extension designed to support the management of transport processes. AŽD’s presentation is also complemented by expert lectures.
DAKO-CZ, a leading manufacturer of braking systems and components for rail vehicles, is presenting in Ostrava new products from its portfolio of braking components as well as new projects with potential for the Czech-Slovak market. At exhibition stand 1A09, the company is presenting solutions that combine digitalisation and an environmentally responsible approach, as well as technologies for the comprehensive equipment of passenger coach and freight wagon bogies. DAKO-CZ has long focused on developing braking systems and components that support sustainable mobility, not only in the field of urban transport.
Wikov MGI, a Czech manufacturer of gearboxes, drives and mechanical systems for rail vehicles, is presenting at Rail Business Days 2026 on a joint stand with its sister company Gmeinder Getriebe from Germany. It is offering the professional public proven exhibits of bevel-helical gearboxes for low-floor trams and gearboxes for Regio Shuttle diesel multiple units. At the same time, it is presenting its growing competence in the field of comprehensive railway wheelset maintenance. In this area, the company builds on targeted investments in pressing equipment, a lathe for re-machining wheel diameters and axle coating technology. Thanks to this, it can provide comprehensive service ranging from repairs to rapid deliveries of fully refurbished wheelsets.
AV R&D, a Czech development and testing centre providing design, technical and testing solutions for industry, including the railway sector, is presenting at Rail Business Days 2026 the special AV068 testing device designed for testing bonded joints. The device is based on the requirements of the ČSN EN 17460 and ISO 21368 standards and enables precise loading of bonded joints up to the point of failure. It is intended for both static and dynamic tests, takes into account requirements for the temperature resistance of joints, and thanks to its modular design can be adapted to a specific testing methodology. The system includes an interactive PC interface for setting test parameters, controlling the course of tests and monitoring measured values online. AV R&D’s presentation shows the importance of specialised development and testing for improving the quality, reliability and safety of structural joints in modern industry.
Rail Business Days is also one of the important opportunities this year to present the capabilities of the Czech railway industry. Another major international platform will be InnoTrans 2026, which will take place from 22 to 25 September 2026 at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds and is one of the world’s leading trade fairs for transport technology.
