#32: Train & Rail in Europe; Future of Transport; Defence Logistics; Signal vs. Noise

In this episode of Beyond the Bubble, Andras speaks with Enno Wiebe, Director General of the European Rail Supply Industry, about how Europe’s railway system really works behind the scenes. Trained as a civil engineer in Dresden and shaped by early professional experience at Deutsche Bahn, the UIC in Paris, and Brussels, Enno shares how a lifelong fascination with trains turned into a career spanning operations, regulation, and now manufacturing.They discuss the complex structure of the rail ecosystem: operators, infrastructure managers, manufacturers, lessors, and regulators all interacting within a fragmented system shaped by 200 years of national standards. Enno explains why crossing a border can still mean changing locomotives and drivers, how different signalling systems slow freight traffic, and why interoperability remains one of Europe’s biggest technical and political challenges.Military mobility, climate goals, and supply chain resilience are now accelerating efforts to harmonise systems such as the European Rail Traffic Management System. Enno discusses the tension between national pride and European integration, the long timelines of infrastructure investment, and the need for consistent political commitment to high-speed rail and cross-border freight.They also explore global competition, including China’s growing footprint in infrastructure, Europe’s role as a world leader in rail technology, and new opportunities in Latin America, Africa, and Central Asia. Along the way, Enno reflects on innovation, automation, sustainability, and why rail should become the default choice for moving both people and goods across the continent.