Recent deals and tenders in the locomotive market.
Iran — RAI will procure or modernise 80 locomotives and 130 passenger coaches. The head of the state railway company, Jabbar Ali Zakeri, announced late last year that IRR 150 trn ($137 mln) had been allocated for this purpose. Earlier, local manufacturer Mapna Group received an order to supply RAI with a batch of 40 MAP30 diesel freight locomotives.
Georgia — National operator Georgian Railway (GR) plans to completely renew its locomotive fleet. This was stated to the Sputnik Georgia news agency by the CEO of the national operator, Lasha Abashidze. According to him, GR will abandon overhauls of all life‑expired locomotives in favour of purchasing new ones. The operator’s fleet currently comprises 91 locomotives, almost all of which were built more than 30 years ago.
EU — Leasing company Nexrail has placed a follow‑on order for a further 20 hybrid locomotives from Vossloh RS (part of CRRC). The DE18 Stage V Smart Hybrid locomotives are equipped with a 1.8 MW diesel engine and a 106 kW⋅h traction battery. Delivery in 2027 will increase Nexrail’s fleet of these locomotives to 50 units.
Render of EuroDual electric locomotive by Stadler for LTG Cargo. Source: Stadler
Lithuania — Swedbank has granted LTG Cargo a loan to finance the purchase of 17 electric locomotives from Stadler. The contract, which provides for the delivery of 17 Eurodual family locomotives to the Lithuanian freight operator, was signed in 2024. The loan will cover €109 mln of the €115 mln contract value. Deliveries of the 6.1 MW freight locomotives are scheduled to start in 2027.
North Macedonia — The country has secured financing for the purchase of new electric locomotives. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a loan of up to €20.9 mln for national operator MRT. The funds are intended for the procurement of up to five new electric locomotives complete with spare parts.
