A journey from the nostalgic 90s to the high-speed accessibility of future trains

It was early in 2025 when the news was announced: Luxembourg’s fleet of Z2 trains, a familiar sight on routes around the country, would continue their railway adventures elsewhere. Acquired by a Romanian railway company, four are already on their way, with 17 still in service – 16 will follow over the course of the year, while one will remain in Luxembourg, to be exhibited at the Centre National du Patrimoine Ferroviaire.

And it’s no wonder one of these trains will stay on in commemoration – what they lacked in sleek style and modern makings of a 2025 locomotive, the 1990s trains made up for with charm and an intrepid quaintness.

Progressively put into service between 1990 and 1992, the Z2 trains were mainly used on an already electrified section of the northern line. Speaking to RTL Today on the history of these trains, a CFL spokesperson said, “With the electrification of the rail network, their use was then extended to all important electrified stations/stops.” These included stations and stops in Ettelbruck, Wasserbillig, Esch, Pétange, Rumelange, and Rodange. “In the evenings,” the spokesperson recalled, “some trains also travelled as far as Athus.”

On 25 September 1993, three coupled Z2 railcars celebrated the introduction of the fully electrified northern line – a huge step forward for local public transport at the time.

Marvin Ma, an administrator of local Facebook public transport group BTB Letzebuerg, recalls what an upgrade the Z2s were in his childhood.

“They were the backbone of public transport in the early 1990s to 2010s. They were used on the whole rail network and ran trains of different categories like local and express trains,” he said. “Their overall seating comfort and low noise (compared to diesel rail cars and locomotives) was a milestone compared to what was still in service in the 1990s.”

© CFL, Patrick Flammang

Marvin, who has been a fan of trains since his childhood – just as the first Z2 trains started making their way around Luxembourg – says that phasing them out is necessary to meet the demands of today. And for this train enthusiast, the Z2s won’t be missed.

"Yes, I grew up with them," he said. "Unfortunately the opportunity to make some adaptations like a better cooling system in summer, an improved 1st and 2nd class area, power sockets and a ramp were never made. The seats are soft, but not very resistant to vandalism and destruction."

On top of that, he pointed out the fleet’s lack of accessibility. "Bicycle riders have to carry their bikes to enter. And travelers in wheelchairs don't have adequate access."

It is perhaps this factor that serves as the greatest push for updating Luxembourg's trains.

Along with a need for speed, convenience, and modern facilities such as WiFi and air conditioning, Luxembourg's laws on accessibility made clear that access to all had to be a priority.

Greater accessibility for all

As Luxembourg has continued to grow and develop in population, modernise public facilities, and strive to meet the demands of commuters, CFL says their aim has remained consistent: to offer mobility services for all.

A team of 10 CFL specialists and experts consulted by RTL Today described how every new construction and modernisation of a stop or station must respect the needs of people with reduced mobility. This includes the construction of platforms with a standardised height, podotactic lines for people with visual impairments, and the provision of trains with ramps that make it possible to gain access without any problems.

"Historically, this has presented a challenge at railway stations and stops," CFL experts described. "For example, before European standardisation, the height of platforms did not always meet the same standard, meaning that level access from the platform to an accessible train is not always possible at present." Apart from the Z2 railcars, the team says, the CFL fleet has ramps that allow people with limited mobility to board.

In a statement to RTL Today, the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works reiterated their commitment to improving accessibility, and ensuring that public transport is as accessible as possible. "This commitment is particularly focused on enabling individuals with physical or other disabilities to access the public transport network with ease," the Ministry stated.

© Loretta Marie Perera

The Coradia fleet rolls in

The continuous improvement and modernisation of services, alongside an increase in passenger capacity, have led to CFL phasing out the older generation of electric railcars, which are now being progressively replaced by the new fleet of Coradia trains.

“The Coradia Stream High Capacity is designed for capacity and seating,” one CFL expert said. “With the commissioning of the 34 Coradia railcars, CFL can increase its seating capacity by 46%, despite the decommissioning of the Z2 railcars.”

“The new trains are equipped with accessibility features that [fully comply with] the accessibility criteria of the European Union (the so-called Technical specification interoperability),” the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works confirmed.

Setting goals for improved train travel in Luxembourg

Last year, the CFL maintained 90% punctuality, stating that there was "room for improvement", and that the majority of disruptions were the result of strikes. Earlier this month, a power failure brought Luxembourg’s entire rail network to a standstill.

To understand the needs they must cater to and services they need to provide, both the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works and CFL shared how they regularly dedicate resources to both customer feedback and infrastructure projects which will lay the foundation for expanding services, as well as minimising delays.

"In parallel to increasing the quality onboard the trains, CFL is also actively working on the expansion and modernisation of Luxembourg's rail network", a CFL expert said. This comes with an ambitious target to meet: “Even today, the CFL is pursuing the goal of a minimum of 92% punctuality."

Alongside customer feedback and regular opinion surveys, CFL says they regularly analyse suggestions, complaints and delays, to identify causes and develop improvements. Then, new timetables are analysed and evaluated using specific simulation software. Through these simulations, CFL identifies bottlenecks on the rail network, and works on improving and advancing the infrastructure.

"Particularly prominent projects include the construction of a new track between Luxembourg and Bettembourg to relieve the most heavily travelled part of Luxembourg's rail network," the CFL shared. "In addition, massive conversion and expansion work is being carried out at strategic railway stations to physically separate train operations on different lines, and thus prevent delays from trains on one line being shifted to trains on other lines."

So far, the CFL says this work has recently been completed in Rodange and Mersch, and that later this year, the multimodal hub in Howald will be further remodelled and expanded, allowing trains to and from France to be operated independently of trains to and from Esch/Alzette and Rodange between Luxembourg and Bettembourg. In Luxembourg Central Station, two additional platforms and four tracks have been added.

The pursuit of improvement goes beyond trains, too. Buses and trams have seen their own share of upgrades – as well as interconnectivity between the different modes of transportation.

The Ministry of Mobility and Public Works operates similarly: "To ensure that the network is responsive, efficient, and aligned with the evolving needs of the population, public transport services are continually assessed and refined”, a Ministry spokesperson said. "Twice a year, bus routes are reviewed based on a range of data, including passenger usage statistics, feedback from municipalities and citizens, and the development of new infrastructure such as transport hubs."

© Loretta Marie Perera

Moving on up

Beyond free public transport, the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works continues to place strong emphasis on sustained investment in infrastructure. “Luxembourg currently ranks as the highest per capita spender in Europe on the development and modernization of its rail network, underscoring our strategic focus on long-term improvements,” the Ministry said.

Bus enthusiast and expert Marin Pazanin, who has lived in Luxembourg for more than three years, pointed out the need to not only look ahead, but to appreciate the past – and the journey that has been made. The Croatia native wrote a book detailing the last 75 years of transport with buses in his hometown. “There hadn’t been a good book on the subject, so I wrote one myself”, he said.

“I don’t think there is a similar book for Luxembourg, but the Tram and Bus Museum in Hollerich, right next to Autobus de la Ville de Luxembourg’s garage, does a splendid job of showcasing the Ville’s old trams and buses. I wish some of them would be brought back to the streets more often.”

Even as Luxembourg looks ahead for greater accessibility, faster and better connections, and easier transportation for all, looking back on the past carries great significance, too.

“It’s valuable to look after old vehicles, to be able to show how things were done before, and see how transport has grown with the city”, said Pazanin. “Not only is it important to preserve the memory of old public transport because of its industrial, urban or societal facets, but it can also bring a lot of fun.”