The Draisy project, a next-generation battery-powered railcar designed to revive underused or closed rural rail lines, is gaining traction. Spearheaded by a consortium that includes industrial group Lohr, SNCF, GCK Battery, Railenium, and Stations-e, the Draisy initiative was showcased again this week at Lohr s Duppigheim facility, following a well-received model debut at the French Regions Congress in Strasbourg last year.

Designed to breathe new life into small railway lines in rural France, Draisy is a lightweight electric train intended for passenger transport. The composite-built vehicle is currently under development and is specifically engineered to operate on ageing infrastructure, ensuring compatibility with existing track conditions across secondary rail networks. Just 14 meters long and 20 tons, Draisy offers 80 seats (30 seated) and is projected to be twice as compact and cost-effective as existing self-propelled trains.

Its modern features include a head-up display with 180-degree vision for the driver, panoramic bay windows, signaling via public GSM networks, and ground-based automatic charging at intermediate stops. The project has secured 30 million in funding through France 2030 and support from the Occitanie and Grand Est regions, with a demonstrator expected by summer 2026.

However, challenges remain before the Draisy can enter mass production. Regulatory approval from the French Public Railway Safety Establishment (EPSF) is required, and the current framework for small rail operations may need to be revised. Market readiness is also a hurdle, with no confirmed buyers yet. The Lohr group is calling on the State and regional authorities to commit to a strategic revival of small rail lines.

The Grand Est region plans to launch a call for expressions of interest by year s end and may follow with tenders in 2026. If selected, Draisy could begin industrial production by 2028. The region has also designated the Kalhausen Sarralbe line, closed since 2013, for initial Draisy test runs scheduled for next year.

Source: www.lohr.fr