Contracts and deals in the locomotive markets.
Algeria — National operator SNTF has launched a tender for up to 124 diesel locomotives. The firm portion covers 25 shunting and 60 mainline freight locomotives, along with equipment and spare parts for their maintenance, while an option adds 39 passenger diesel locomotives. The purchase falls under an approved DZD 378 bln ($2.8 bln) rolling stock renewal programme running from 2025 to 2035, which sets out the acquisition of 400 passenger coaches and 600 locomotives. By December 2025 the Algerian government had allocated $1.4 bln to the programme. An earlier order placed 800 freight wagons with local builder Ferrovial, and Algeria is weighing the creation of domestic locomotive production over the longer term.
EU — Stadler will build 25 six-axle EURO6000 freight electric locomotives for European leasing company Alpha Trains. Ten units are destined for the 1,668 mm Iberian gauge and will work in Spain and Portugal, while the remaining 15 run on 1,435 mm standard gauge and will haul traffic along the Mediterranean Corridor linking Spain, France, Belgium and Luxembourg. Delivery is set for 2028. Alpha Trains has bought heavily from both Stadler and Siemens Mobility in recent years.
Romania — Alstom, Siemens Mobility and Softronic are competing to supply 23 passenger electric locomotives. The French, German and Romanian manufacturers all submitted bids in a tender run by railway reform authority ARF. When the bids were opened, the indicative offers ranged from RON 1.1 bln to RON 1.6 bln (€210–300 mln), with a decision expected shortly. ARF previously ordered 16 Traxx 3 MS passenger electric locomotives from Alstom, and the first of these began arriving in Romania this year.
CRRC diesel locomotive for Camalco in Cameroon. Source: COSCO Shipping
Cameroon — CRRC has shipped the first seven diesel locomotives for Camalco, a subsidiary of Australian mining company Canyon Resources that is developing the new Minim-Martap bauxite deposit. Camalco has ordered 22 AC diesel locomotives from CRRC and 560 freight wagons from India’s Texmaco Rail, with freight operations due to begin in the third quarter. Camalco and national operator Camrail have together invested more than $300 mln in rolling stock and infrastructure. The Chinese manufacturer also dispatched a second batch of 5 locomotives to Morocco.
