Contracts and deals in the locomotive markets.
Austria — ÖBB has relaunched its tender for up to 300 eHybrid shunting locomotives. The previous procurement, run between 2021 and 2025, failed after attracting no bids. Up to eight manufacturers may be selected at the first stage, with framework agreements to be signed for a 10-year term. The new locomotives are intended to replace several existing classes with varying residual service lives.
Romania — Alstom has begun delivering passenger electric locomotives to the country. Trial operation of the first four-axle Traxx 3 MS locomotive is due to start shortly, with further units to be handed over during the year. Romania’s Railway Reform Authority ARF has ordered 16 locomotives in total under a €150 mln contract, which also covers 20 years of maintenance. The new locomotives will have a maximum speed of 200 km/h.
Germany — Leasing company Railpool has secured a €100 mln soft loan to fund locomotive purchases. The loan has been provided by Germany’s KfW IPEX-Bank under its rail transport support programme. Neither the number of locomotives nor the models have been disclosed. Railpool currently holds framework contracts with Siemens Mobility for up to 250 Vectron electric locomotives and with Vossloh RS (part of CRRC) for up to 187 Modula hybrid shunting locomotives.
ES43BBi diesel locomotive in VLI’s fleet. Source: VLI
Brazil — Wabtec has completed delivery of eight-axle ES43BBi diesel locomotives to logistics company VLI. The model, powered by a 3,310 kW diesel engine, is a metre-gauge adaptation of the Evolution family. The locomotives are produced at Wabtec’s plant in Contagem, Brazil. Since 2024 VLI has received 27 new locomotives in total, including eight SD70ACe-BB units from Progress Rail with broadly similar specifications. The operator’s fleet renewal investment amounts to around BLR 600 mln ($120 mln).
SD70ACe-T4 main line diesel locomotive in Lake State Railway’s fleet. Source: Taylor/LSRC Railfans
USA — Progress Rail has delivered four SD70ACe-T4 main line diesel locomotives to private operator Lake State Railway. Each six-axle locomotive is powered by a four-stroke 3,400 kW EMD 12-1010 engine meeting Tier 4 emissions standards, and is fitted with the PR Uptime IQ predictive diagnostics system. The purchase was part-funded by an emissions-reduction grant. The new locomotives allow the customer to retire SD40-2 and SD50 units built by EMD in the 1970s and 1980s.
