Key news and contracts in the rolling stock market.
The national operator Israel Railways has issued a request for proposals for the supply of 90 freight locomotives. Of these, delivery of 20 vehicles is expected by the end of 2026 and of the rest by 2040. The operator intends to purchase six-axle hybrid locomotives powered by catenary and diesel. However, alternative traction such as battery or hydrogen fuel cell will be considered if it is economically viable. The other parameters are an axle load of 22.5 tf, a minimum tractive force of 500 kN and a design speed of 120 km/h.
Testing the Alstom Traxx AC3 on the tracks of Israel Railways. Source: ydotrains/youtube
Škoda Group has won a tender for the supply of 20 single-deck EMUs to Bulgaria. The company is ready to deliver the rolling stock for a total cost of BGN 511.4 mln (€261 mln) within two years, with a 15-year maintenance plan included. The offer of the second bidder, Alstom, was almost 30% higher. The project will be implemented with funding from the EU under the Recovery and resilience plan for Bulgaria.
Dniprovagonmash will manufacture 1,500 railcars for an unnamed international company. According to the Ukrainian manufacturer, the implementation of the project will take several years and will result in the delivery of various railcar models and the development of new ones. The customer is now receiving the first batch of 19-4146-01 grain hoppers. It is worth noting that since 2023, the company has set up production of 1,435 mm gauge intermodal flat cars.
Stadler has won the tender for the supply of 14 BEMUs for the Danish operator Lokaltog. The contract comprises an option for a further ten units. The new rolling stock is reportedly designed for the operation at Zealand, where it will replace the IC2 diesel trains built by ADtranz in 1997. The contract is expected to be finalised in October after agreement with the regional government.
The battery-powered Stadler Flirt Akku. Source: Urban Transport Magazine
The purchase of eight hybrid trains for €56 mln includes the modernisation plan for Chemins de Fer de Provence, an operator providing passenger service in Provence. The trains are expected to operate on the narrow-gauge line between Nice and Dinh-les-Bains from the end of 2027. The previous similar purchase, announced in 2022, did not proceed. Another tender held in France now is announced by the national operator SNCF for the delivery of up to 180 hybrid trains.
The Chilean national operator EFE has announced a tender for eight hybrid electric-diesel locomotives. The bidders can be only manufacturers with a presence in the country. Earlier, the operator purchased six hybrid EMUs from CRRC.
