Bombardier TRAXX locomotives

Bombardier has been contracted to deliver 65 TRAXX trains to leasing company Railpool as part of a framework agreement between the two firms.

Worth €250m, the delivery includes the first call-off of 35 locomotives and an option of up to 30 additional units.

The extended operating TRAXX range under the contract includes the electric multi-system MS and AC locomotives.

The MS train will operate on the new east-west corridor linking Poland with the Netherlands, while the AC locomotive will operate in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary and Romania.

Railpool CEO Torsten Lehnert said: "With this contract, we are continuing our successful partnership with Bombardier and are able to offer the proven TRAXX locomotives concept to our customers.

"These innovative locomotives will facilitate rail operation on new, international corridors."

"We are also developing new corridors with Bombardier and upgrading our existing fleet with new safety systems, in order to follow our customers’ demands as a reliable partner for the future."

Bombardier president Ulrich Jochem said: "These innovative locomotives will facilitate rail operation on new, international corridors. They also allow for a much longer range and for more flexibility in operation than ever before."

Powered by Bombardier Mitrac traction converters, the locomotives are designed for speeds of up to 160km/h.

Manufacture of propulsion and controls, as well as automatic train protection equipment, will be performed at Bombardier’s sites in Mannheim and Hennigsdorf, Germany, and Västeras, Sweden.


Image: The contract extends the operating range of the locomotives. Photo: courtesy of Bombardier.