Romania: The three-car SFEMU-EU01 electric train entered service on the Bucharest–Brașov route in mid-August, operated by Astra Trans, a subsidiary of railcar builder Astra Vagoane.
Running two round trips a day, it covers the 167 km between the cities in 2 h 35 min, reaching up to 140 km/h on some sections. CRRC staff are expected to stay on board for the first few weeks to help local personnel get to grips with the train’s systems.
The train has a design speed of 160 km/h, and its eight asynchronous traction motors deliver a combined rated output of 2,200 kW. The partially low-floor cars seat 210 passengers and include multifunctional areas and an accessible toilet for passengers with reduced mobility. Two signalling systems are fitted, the national system and European ETCS, and the unit meets European TSI and EN requirements.
SFEMU-EU01 electric train from China’s CRRC on the Bucharest–Brașov route. Source: Visit Brasov Romania
CRRC built the train back in 2021 as part of its push into the Romanian market. It was manufactured in Qingdao for a bid submitted jointly with Astra Vagoane for up to 80 inter-regional trains. CRRC’s bid scored highest of all, but after a string of complaints and appeals it was excluded from the tender, after the Romanian government ruled that companies from third countries could not bid for contracts funded through national and European funds.
Notably, an EU court sided with CRRC in 2025, ruling that restrictions of this kind can only be introduced at EU level. The tender result itself, which had gone to Alstom, was left standing.
The sole SFEMU train built was nonetheless bought by Astra Trans and delivered to Romania in 2024. It was certified in June 2026 after a round of testing. No further orders for the SFEMU have been announced.
This is already the sixth model of Chinese-built multiple-unit stock running in Europe. CRRC trains are also in service in North Macedonia, the Czech Republic, Austria and Serbia. Against this backdrop, the EU is tightening its stance against CRRC’s expansion into the market.
