ÖBB’s Johanna Wachter on closing the gaps in train design
01/09/2025
Johanna Wachter, project manager for interiors and design at ÖBB, believes the pre-tender phase is a vital space for creativity in train design.
When Johanna Wachter joined ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG in 2022, she brought with her an unconventional background. After earning a master’s degree in European Studies and European project management, she spent several years working in higher education, managing EU-funded projects and international student mobility. But her lifelong enthusiasm for trains eventually pulled her into the rail sector, where she now works in project management for interiors and design.
“My official role is like a product manager, but in reality, we manage project packages,” Wachter explained. “When we plan new vehicles or refurbish existing ones, our team is responsible for interiors and design. That means putting our customers’ needs first, even though we also have to consider technical aspects like fire protection.”
Wachter and her colleague, Kristin Pflug, will present “Mind the Gap” at the Rail Interiors Show this November. The theme reflects how ÖBB uses the quieter periods between major tenders to innovate, experiment, and fill knowledge gaps. “During a running tender, there is very little room to be creative,” Wachter said. “It’s all about negotiating and delivering what is possible. The pre-tender conceptual phase, however, gives us the freedom to be creative, to talk to industry, and to explore technologies and trends without restrictions.”
This reflective approach has already led to fresh insights on overlooked topics, such as ergonomics in night train mattresses and the role of lighting beyond technical norms. “We realised some areas had only been seen from a technical perspective, never from a customer one,” Wachter noted. “If we don’t yet have the expertise, we try to acquire it and involve specialists. It’s about building a knowledge base for everyone.”
The advantage, she added, is long-term: “The trains we design and buy today will run for 30 years. That’s why we need to profoundly challenge what is possible now, and what could be possible in the future.”
For Wachter, one of the most valuable lessons has been the importance of honest reflection after each project. “Although it’s inconvenient at times, lessons learned are crucial. Sometimes you have to admit that something didn’t work because it wasn’t included in the requirements. Being honest with yourself is the only way to do better next time.”
As she prepares for the Rail Interiors Show, Wachter is looking forward to sharing practical examples and hearing how industry partners respond. “We hope to inspire agencies and OEMs to see this pre-tender phase as a real opportunity,” she said. “It’s a time to work creatively before the formal processes begin.”
Session: Mind the Gap - the advantage of pre-tender/conceptual phases
Date: 24 November 2025
Time: 13:50 - 14:20
“My official role is like a product manager, but in reality, we manage project packages,” Wachter explained. “When we plan new vehicles or refurbish existing ones, our team is responsible for interiors and design. That means putting our customers’ needs first, even though we also have to consider technical aspects like fire protection.”
Wachter and her colleague, Kristin Pflug, will present “Mind the Gap” at the Rail Interiors Show this November. The theme reflects how ÖBB uses the quieter periods between major tenders to innovate, experiment, and fill knowledge gaps. “During a running tender, there is very little room to be creative,” Wachter said. “It’s all about negotiating and delivering what is possible. The pre-tender conceptual phase, however, gives us the freedom to be creative, to talk to industry, and to explore technologies and trends without restrictions.”
This reflective approach has already led to fresh insights on overlooked topics, such as ergonomics in night train mattresses and the role of lighting beyond technical norms. “We realised some areas had only been seen from a technical perspective, never from a customer one,” Wachter noted. “If we don’t yet have the expertise, we try to acquire it and involve specialists. It’s about building a knowledge base for everyone.”
The advantage, she added, is long-term: “The trains we design and buy today will run for 30 years. That’s why we need to profoundly challenge what is possible now, and what could be possible in the future.”
For Wachter, one of the most valuable lessons has been the importance of honest reflection after each project. “Although it’s inconvenient at times, lessons learned are crucial. Sometimes you have to admit that something didn’t work because it wasn’t included in the requirements. Being honest with yourself is the only way to do better next time.”
As she prepares for the Rail Interiors Show, Wachter is looking forward to sharing practical examples and hearing how industry partners respond. “We hope to inspire agencies and OEMs to see this pre-tender phase as a real opportunity,” she said. “It’s a time to work creatively before the formal processes begin.”
Session: Mind the Gap - the advantage of pre-tender/conceptual phases
Date: 24 November 2025
Time: 13:50 - 14:20