TRAXX | RailFreight.com

Alstom to provide Mercitalia with 70 new locomotives

Marco Raimondi — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 07:06:15 +0000

Mercitalia Rail, the freight arm of the Italian railway holding Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), finalised an agreement with French manufacturer Alstom for 70 Traxx Universal locomotives. The contract has a value of 323 million euros and includes the possibility of adding 30 more locomotives.
With this deal, Alstom will also be tasked with the maintenance of these locomotives for the next 12 years. The first items are expected to be delivered by 2025, Alstom mentioned. An unspecified number of locomotives will also be equipped to carry out first and last-mile services. In other words, these locomotives will not require traction from another locomotive when travelling through unelectrified railways. The units will be produced in Vado Ligure, not too far from Genoa.

FS’ maxi plan to rejuvenate its fleet

This initiative is part of the FS’ plan to revolutionise its rolling stock fleet, which was announced in November 2022. When it comes to locomotives, FS said this plan would bring in around 400 new locomotives and roughly 3,600 wagons. The great majority of the locomotives, including the 70 included in the most recent deal, will be given to Mercitalia Rail. Moreover, the FS’ international rail freight arm, TX Logistik, is getting 80 new ones, half of which coming into service around the end of 2024.

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Alstom to build four new Traxx locomotives for PCC Intermodal

Majorie van Leijen — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 10:01:44 +0000

PCC Intermodal and Alstom have signed a contract for the delivery of four brand new Traxx MS3 multisystem locomotives, together with the provision of full maintenance service. They signed an agreement towards this end on 29 June 2021. The contract covers the production of the locomotives, the certification, the training of PCC Intermodal personel and the provision of full maintenance service. It includes in addition the option to order one additional locomotive.
The Traxx MS3 locomotives will be used in cross-border operations between Poland, Germany, Austria, Czechia and Slovakia and hit the rails before the end of 2022.

4 European voltages

The MS version can be used under the four voltages commonly found in Europe and belongs to the Traxx, the most modern four-axle locomotive platform in Europe. It consists of the Traxx AC3 (alternating current), the Traxx MS3 (Multi-System, for all main currents in Europe) and the Traxx DC3. The Traxx platform was introduced 15 years ago and more than 1,750 locomotives are in operation in Europe.

“We are very happy that signing contracts and deliveries of modern locomotives and new rail platforms take place during the European Year of Rail”, said Dariusz Stefański, CEO of PCC Intermodal SA, during the contract signing in Warsaw. “We truly believe that intermodal transport is one of the most important factors of sustainable development. It is really great that PCC Intermodal with Alstom locomotives can be a part of this modern, trans-European transport system and that we can play an active role in the European Green Deal Project.”

‘Most modern and innovative platform’

“We are proud that our four Traxx MS3 locomotives will join the PCC Intermodal fleet next year. Let’s not forget that Traxx MS3 locomotives are based on the newest, most modern and innovative locomotive platform. This locomotive is characterised by its energy efficiency, its proven ability to pull higher loads than comparable locomotives, its simplified interface with the European Train Control System and improved maintainability”, underlines Sławomir Nalewajka, managing director Poland, Ukraine and Baltic States at Alstom.

Alstom and PCC sign the contract

Railpool to increase Traxx fleet to 189 locomotives

Majorie van Leijen — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 10:29:29 +0000

Rolling stock leasing company Railpool is increasing its Traxx fleet with the ordering of twenty new Traxx MS locomotives from Bombardier. The fleet will count 189 units once the new locomotives have been delivered. The delivery is due to take place between May 2018 and December 2019.

The locomotives will be equipped to run on 15 and 25 kilovolt alternative current, as well as 1.5 and 3 kilovolt direct current electrification systems and will be certified to operate in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. They will be assembled at Bombardier’s facility in Kassel, Germany.

Traxx locomotives

Traxx locomotives are characterised by their steel bodyshells, the two bogies with two powered axles each, the three-phase asynchronous induction motors, the cooling exhausts on the roof edges and the wheel disc brakes. Due to their compatibility with alternative and direct current electrification systems, the vehicles are very suitable for the European railway market, which knows a large system variety.

The sole manufacturer of the locomotive is Bombardier, a leading rolling stock manufacturer in the world and provider of the European railway security system ERTMS. Bombardier has been delivering Traxx locomotives to the market since 1998, although the Traxx brandname was only introduced in 2003.

New TRAXX locomotives boost Captrain’s cross-border freight

Simon Weedy — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 06:51:18 +0000

A fleet of new Bombardier locomotives will strengthen the cross-border operations of the Captrain Deutschland Group, after a new deal between the two was agreed. The TRAXX multi-system locos will be delivered in early 2018 and used mainly in Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium, linking ports with the European industry heartland.

The TRAXX MS model, part of the highly successful TRAXX platform, is compatible with all common European voltages, making it particularly suitable for use in member states, and has proven reliability rates of nearly 100 per cent.

East-West axis

Henrik Würdemann, Managing Director of Captrain Deutschland GmbH, said, “The Bombardier TRAXX multi-system locomotives’ proven technology and reliability were crucial in our decision. This investment will enable us to further strengthen our cross-border freight transport on the East-West axis and let us offer our customers additional, continuous logistics solutions across country borders.”

Mike Niebling, Director of Sales at Bombardier Transportation Locomotives, added: “We are delighted that Captrain Deutschland has chosen our locomotives. We believe that they will be a great benefit because these new locomotives will enable the company to enhance the performance on the logistic corridors to the busy ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam.”

Service network

Bombardier Transportation offers integrated fleet support and tailored service solutions for the more than 400 TRAXX MS locomotives that have been sold. This enables operators to benefit from a long-term spare parts guarantee and an extensive Europe-wide service network.

Rail-based service provider Captrain Deutschland GmbH uses a fleet of powerful locomotives, the latest wagon technology, train, marshalling and infrastructure services, as well as on-site loading and unloading, to provide tailor-made railway transport systems across Europe.

‘Last Mile’

Locomotive leasing company Railpool meanwhile has delivered a second TRAXX AC3 ‘Last Mile’ locomotive to HSL Logistik GmbH in Hamburg. It will be used by HSL in Germany and Austria and is capable of being used in non-electrified rail sidings, connections and terminals. Specifications include a diesel motor and additional battery, ensuring that the operator can cover non-electrified areas and save having to use shunting locomotives and diesel engines in many places.

Haiko Böttcher, Managing Director of HSL Logistik, said: “The TRAXX AC3 Last Mile allows us to offer a new flexible production concept, in turn allowing us to increase our competitive edge. With Railpool as a reliable full-service partner, we can retain our high-end tailor-made logistics solutions and can offer our clients the best possible transport service.”