Innotrans '12 - LEO express

Technologically, this is a standard Stadler FLIRT, in 3 kV DC, but with single-leaf doors and a nicer interior. But that's boring. What's interesting is the business side. This is the train for the newest Czech open-access passenger operator.

LEOexpress is founded by Leoš Novotný, and the name should tell you something about the confidence (if you're friendly) this company and its founder show at every step. They are the second open-access operator to start running on the Prague-Ostrava route, after RegioJet (by Student Agency). The trains are marketed by Stadler as Intercity trains, but they're really mostly identical to the normal DC FLIRT used in e.g. Italy or Poland. The top speed of 160 km/h is enough for long-distance trains on the Czech rail network, because the infrastructure won't allow more.

The interior of the train is very nice, with electricity, WLAN, good service and the like. It better be; Czech Railways and RegioJet are both offering similar things on the same route. LEOexpress can announce that they're the only one with a special premium class (not sure why private rail operators insist they need them), and of course with completely new trains (RegioJet uses old locomotives and austrian passenger cars, but modernized). The trains were marketed as a "Swiss Mercedes", which already doesn't make sense, but then Stadler went ahead and built them in their facility in Poland, which at least throws a wrench into the marketing.

On a personal note: How come all the other countries get attractive long-distance open access passenger rail, but we don't? Italy, a very difficult market for open access operators, has Italo (picture by ~HerrDrayer), running with the latest in Alstom high speed trains at 300 km/h, while Austria, not much more friendly, has WESTbahn (picture by ~Tigrar), running brand-new Stadler double deckers at 200 km/h. The best we get in Germany is HKX (picture by ~Budeltier), using the oldest carriages still found outside museum railways, without Wifi, power outlets or even tables to put laptops on and horrible, heavy doors, running at most 140 km/h. It's really horrible.