Alstom has secured a new contract to supply three electric Traxx Universal multi-system locomotives to Captrain Polska, an independent railway operator in Europe.
These third-generation locomotives will support intermodal operations across six countries: Poland, Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
The locomotives will be produced at Alstom’s facility in Kassel, Germany, while the car-body shells will be manufactured at its site in Wrocław, Poland.
Captrain Polska has been utilising Traxx locomotives for over a decade. It is now expanding its fleet with its own locomotives, rather than leasing the vehicles.
This decision follows the company’s recent move to establish a warehouse for spare parts and to develop maintenance capabilities at its Wolow workshop, specifically for the Traxx platform.
“Captrain Polska has been using Traxx locomotives, both in MS and DC configurations, for more than 10 years and we are very satisfied with them. To date, we have leased all the locomotives of this platform, but in accordance with the company's policy, after exceeding a certain number of locomotives of a certain type, we have decided to supplement the fleet with our own locomotives. This locomotive is approved in all the countries in which Captrain Companies from the Rail Logistics Europe group operate.”
The Traxx Universal locomotives are renowned for their versatility, having been approved for use in 20 countries. The third-generation models can reach speeds of up to 160 km/h and are capable of handling heavier loads than other locomotives in the same class.
Their modular design allows for flexibility, making them suitable for a variety of applications, including single or multi-country freight and passenger transport. The units will also be equipped with Alstom’s Onvia signalling system (formerly known as Atlas). This onboard solution for the European Train Control System (ETCS) offers extensive coverage across multiple countries and lines.
As part of the contract, Alstom will be responsible for the maintenance of the locomotives during the warranty period, acting as the Entity in Charge of Maintenance (ECM) and conducting preventive maintenance.
Additionally, Captrain Poland employees will receive training to carry out maintenance on the locomotives themselves, further enhancing the operator’s self-sufficiency and operational capability.
“We are proud of another contract for a carrier providing international services. The Traxx locomotives will provide increased operational efficiency and reliability, as well as better availability thanks to extended maintenance intervals. We are pleased that Alstom solutions have supported logistics operators in achieving their strategic goals for many years, while also contributing to the development of a sustainable and low-emission Trans-European Transport Network.”
