Skip to content
Forget diesel fumes and overhead wires—the newest trans-European rail experiment runs on
Solaris Atlantic prototype launched this spring, pairing roof-mounted photovoltaic panels
with regenerative braking and ultra-light battery packs. The inaugural itinerary covers 2 700 kilometres
from Portugal’s Algarve coast to Hamburg Harbour in just three days, recharging only at solar
pit-stops en route. Below you’ll find a full breakdown of the journey: mileage, layovers,
ticket cost, and how to snag one of the 120 test-phase seats.
The Train in Brief
- Model: GreenRail IC-SR3 prototype (eight-car set)
- Roof array: 3 100 m² high-efficiency PV panels
- Battery capacity: 11 MWh solid-state lithium-sulphur
- Cruise speed: 140 km/h; peak 180 km/h on sunny segments
- On-board power: USB-C at each seat, filtered drinking fountain, quiet carriage
Day-by-Day Routing
Day 1 — Lagos ↠ Lisbon ↠ Madrid (910 km)
The maiden service departs Lagos at 06:15, catching six hours of Algarve sunshine before
rolling into Lisbon-Oriente for a 90-minute rapid recharge beneath newly installed
platform canopies. Passengers can explore the riverside market or stay onboard for
a documentary about Roman aqueduct bike paths
(read the article).
Late afternoon sees the train cross the Guadiana River and skim into Madrid-Chamartín at 21:20.
Day 2 — Madrid ↠ Bordeaux ↠ Paris (1 040 km)
Depart 08:00. North-facing roof panels take a back seat; energy today comes mostly from
Spain’s Castilla solar farms feeding induction lines. A lunchtime layover in Bordeaux’s
Halte Photovoltaique lets batteries soak up 45 minutes of 400 kW DC charge.
Arrival at Paris-Austerlitz 19:05 leaves evening free for a sunset picnic
along the Seine—yes, even rail geeks need baguettes.
Day 3 — Paris ↠ Cologne ↠ Hamburg (760 km)
The final dash leans on German efficiency. Cologne’s Deutz depot hosts Europe’s largest
rail-side battery swap station; engineers exchange spent packs in 18 minutes flat.
The Rhine valley’s spring sun supplies the rest, delivering the train to Hamburg-Altona
by 16:40—72 hours after the Algarve start, still powered solely by the star at the
centre of our system.
Practical Details
- Ticket price: €160 second-class / €240 first-class (introductory pilot rate)
- Booking window: Opens four months ahead at GreenRail
- Luggage: Two carry-ons; e-bike racks in car 4 (battery removal mandatory)
- Border formalities: Schengen zone—ID check at Madrid only
Why Solar Rails Matter
Rail already emits far less CO₂ than aviation, yet most networks still rely on fossil,
nuclear, or hydro grids. Onboard PV plus battery swapping could
decouple locomotion from centralised power, making remote lines viable without overhead
catenary. If the Lisbon–Hamburg corridor proves profitable, GreenRail plans an eastward
extension to Warsaw in 2027.
Looking for more low-carbon adventures? Try our
three-nation border hikes
or pedal history along
ancient aqueduct bike paths.
Final Thought
Centuries after caravels left Lisbon chasing the sun, a modern vessel now sails by rail,
harvesting daylight instead of burning coal. The journey is slower than a plane, yes,
but those extra hours reveal vineyards, cathedral spires, and wind-ruffled wheat—
a moving reminder that sustainable travel can still feel cinematic.
