Hit Rail Celebrates 35 Years of European Railway Innovation
Welcome
Welcome to the official website for Hit Rail’s 35th Anniversary celebration! Here, you’ll find everything from event highlights and presentations to photo galleries and memories from this special occasion. We invite you to relive the moments and share them with others. Please let us know if you would like one or more of the photos on which you appear to be removed.
Event Overview
On May 15, 2025, over 110 members of the European railway community gathered at Amsterdam’s Central Station to celebrate 35 years of Hit Rail—a milestone of progress, collaboration, and innovation in the European rail sector.
Venue & Opening Session
The festivities took place in the elegant Grand Café Restaurant 1e Klas. Frédéric Novello, Chairman of Hit Rail, opened the celebration by underscoring the vital role of cooperation among Europe’s railway companies. Since its founding in 1990, Hit Rail has worked tirelessly to ensure secure, efficient, and interoperable data exchange across the continent.
“Cooperation is a technical necessity; interoperability is the goal we have always served.”
Karin Helmstaedt, renowned journalist and moderator, honoured Hit Rail’s pivotal role in European railway interoperability, noting,
“The future of rail is bright—as a green, sustainable way of transport.”
Keynote
A Journey Through Time
In a moving keynote, Antonio E. López, outgoing General Manager, took the audience on a symbolic “train journey” through Hit Rail’s 35-year history. Acting as conductor, he introduced five influential “train drivers” who shaped the company’s legacy:
- Ugo Dell’Arciprete, former FS Group manager, revisited the origins of Hit Rail through the Hermes Project, launched by the UIC in 1978.
- The project led to the creation of Hermes VPN, a secure pan-European virtual network connecting over 60 operators across 28 countries.
- Contributions from leaders like Petr Červinka, Mick Haynes, Hans van Walsem, and Enrique Ruiz marked technical breakthroughs and cross-border achievements.
The journey concluded with López himself, steering the train into the future and passing the torch to his successors.
Presentation PDF (6,8 MB)
Future Vision: AI in Rail
In a dynamic address, Professor Mathijs de Weerdt of the University of Delft—expert in planning and scheduling algorithms—explored the transformative power of AI in the railway sector, highlighting both opportunities and challenges on the horizon.
Presentation PDF (8 MB)
The CER Ticketing Roadmap
After the break, the afternoon featured a thought-provoking panel with:
- Alberto Mazzola, Executive Director, CER
- Bertrand Minary, UIC Passenger Director
- Frédéric Novello, Hit Rail Chairman
The session focused on the CER Ticketing Roadmap, a vision for seamless European rail travel by 2025 and 2030. While acknowledging progress, the panel stressed the need for tighter system integration among stakeholders.
Farewell & Future Leadership
The event concluded with a warm farewell to Antonio E. López, honouring his 35 years of leadership. As he embarks on a well-earned retirement, Enrique Ruiz and Hans van Walsem will step in as co-managing directors of Hit Rail.
Celebration on the Water
The day wrapped up with a picturesque boat cruise through Amsterdam’s iconic canals, where attendees enjoyed food, drinks, and festive camaraderie—a perfect close to an unforgettable day.
Thank You
On behalf of the entire Hit Rail team, thank you for joining us in celebrating this incredible milestone. From the insightful afternoon sessions to the joyful canal cruise, your presence made the day truly special.
Here’s to 35 years of progress—and many more ahead.
Kind regards,
The Hit Rail Team
