Trans Regio Deutsche Regionalbahn will operate the new line with three Mireo Smart trains, which have been leased from Smart Train Lease. The contract was signed on 19 August, with the first delivery scheduled for 1 October, just six weeks later. Passenger services are due to begin on 14 December 2025, coinciding with the timetable change.
The unusually fast turnaround was made possible because the trains had already been manufactured. The trains will run at speeds of up to 160 km/h on the newly electrified Ahr Valley Railway, providing direct services from Ahrbrück to Koblenz and Boppard via Remagen.
Henrik Behrens, Trans Regio's Managing Director, said: "We are pleased to contribute to the revitalisation of the Ahr Valley following the flood disaster four years ago. By December 2025, we hope the rebuilt and electrified line will be ready for passengers and our modern trains."
The launch of the RB 32 line is expected to improve regional connectivity and relieve pressure on the busy Middle Rhine route. According to SPNV-Nord, around 20 new train drivers will also be recruited for the service.
