PHOTO reaches 200 km/h and can tow train with 16 wagons. What does the most modern locomotive buy by the Romanian state look like
Locomotive Alstom Traxx (photo Vlad Barza)
At the North Station was presented the first Locomotive Alstom Traxx, part of a contract of 150 million euros that provides for the delivery of 16 units. All should be in the country until August 2026. The first passenger train towed by such a locomotive would circulate at the beginning of next year, but postponements always appear when it comes to new rolling stock. The average age of the locomotive park in the country is over 40 years.
The new locomotives are produced at an Alstom plant in Germany, the one presented now is a prototype, did tests at the center of Făurei and will return there. After those tests will be sent again to the German factory for other changes and the series production will begin, say the officials from Alstom.
Where new locomotives will circulate when they will be delivered
- Dej-Brașov-Bucharest-Constanța;
- Timișoara-Arad-Brașov-Bucharest-Constanța;
- Timișoara-Cluj-Napoca-Iași;
- Iași/Suceava-Bucharest-Constanța.
The test circuit from Făurei is the only place in the country where trains reach 200 km/h. On the CFR SA network there are portions of 160 km/h (to Constanța and in areas such as Arad and Simeria).
Compatibility tests with the railway network in Romania will be performed and then a number of authorizations and approvals must be obtained. The estimation of Alstom is that all approvals will be obtained until April 2026, and the vehicle will enter after that term in commercial operation, but not before the mechanics are trained.
On July 29, this new newly built electric locomotive entered the country, purchased by the Authority for Railway Reform (ARF) for the Romanian state, with PNRR. Locomotives will be used by CFR Călaturi.
The value of the contract is 767 million lei, excluding VAT, composed of the delivery value of the 16 electric locomotives and the value of the maintenance for a period of 20 years. The duration of completion of the project is 35 months.
Tests and tests are necessary for certification and authorization processes, prior to the exploitation of this type of vehicle on the Romanian railway network.
The locomotive is the first of the lot of 16 units purchased by ARF, based on the contract signed with the association of Alstom Transport SA – Alstom Transportation Germany GmbH Spa, in January 2024.
