From Hydrogen to High-Speed: TRAKO 2025’s Second Day Sets the Tone for Rail’s Future

The second day of TRAKO 2025 in Gdańsk kicked off with a packed programme combining high-level debates, cutting-edge technology presentations, and international networking events.

The morning will open with a press breakfast hosted by Siemens Mobility at the Polsat Plus Arena, where participants explored modern software solutions for the rail sector. At the same time, PKP PLK will deliver technical presentations on safety and prevention as well as the innovative use of photocatalytic concrete, showing Poland’s focus on infrastructure durability and security. Alstom contributed with two Mobility Theatre sessions, introducing Coradia Max double-decker trains from Chorzów and showcasing Avelia Stream high-speed solutions, while PKP Fast Urban Railway presented its service infrastructure projects in Tricity.

Debates and Strategic Dialogues

From 10:30 onwards, the Conference Center will become the focal point for strategic dialogue. Sessions included the Rail Freight Forum, The Passenger Comes First debate, and discussions on logistics, infrastructure, and industry in the new geopolitical environment. Other panels will adress the state of rail safety and the crucial It’s Time for Energy topic, which also feature the ceremonial awarding of Green Energy certificates. A concurrent seminar will explore the links between high speeds and distributed energy sources, reflecting the sector’s dual drive for innovation and sustainability.

High-Level Conversations

At 12:30, one of the day’s highlights will unfold with a conversation between Piotr Malepszak, Undersecretary of State at Poland’s Ministry of Infrastructure, and Janusz Malinowski, President of Łódź Agglomeration Railway. The exchange is to focus on Poland’s railway priorities and the country’s long-term vision for high-speed and regional development. Their talk will be followed by technical sessions on the Data Lake centralisation environment and a PLK project using artificial intelligence and unmanned aerial vehicles for infrastructure condition monitoring, both pointing to the growing role of digitalisation in rail management.

Afternoon Sessions: Financing, Innovation, and High-Speed Rail

The afternoon is to feature intensive debates, including Co-financing Transport Projects from EU Funds, which examined funding challenges, and a long-format infrastructure panel on financing, R&D programmes, and reindustrialisation in the context of European security. Another session, High Speed Railway Poland 2025, evaluates Poland’s readiness to implement a national HSR programme. Presentations will also address big data in public transport, station pollution monitoring, and innovative photovoltaic applications in rail. The Škoda Group will use the platform to present its ETCS platform, while Akiem is to unveil its Dragon-2 locomotive on the exhibition tracks.

Evening Networking and International Focus

The day is to conclude with the Polish-German Evening of Railway Technology at the Olivia Business Centre, bringing together industry leaders and officials in an informal setting to deepen bilateral cooperation. 

With more than 70 scheduled events across debates, presentations, and networking sessions, the second day of TRAKO 2025 is set to showcase the diversity of Europe’s railway industry.