Long-distance rail passenger transport in Europe has long been reserved for state railways and a few niche providers. This could change now. In a novel study, SCI Verkehr shows that there has been a boom in demand for flexible rolling stock concepts in Europe and expects annual growth of around 30% between 2023 and 2028. With the revival of locomotive-hauled trains featuring modern coach designs, more universally applicable solutions regarding rolling stock are emerging, removing a major barrier for competition in long-distance transport.