Recent deals and contracts in the rolling stock markets.
Canada — Via Rail has issued a request for proposals for more than 40 locomotives and 313 passenger coaches. With financial support from the country government, the national operator intends to renew its fleet, most of which was built between 1947 and 1955. Plans include seating, baggage, dining, panoramic lounge and observation dome coaches as well four classes of sleeping coaches.
France — Île-de-France Mobilités and SNCF plan to purchase up to 210 Z2N NG EMUs. These double-deck trains will replace the Z2Ns, manufactured between 1988 and 2004, on the RER C and P lines in Île-de-France. The fleet of the RER D and E lines is currently being renewed with Alstom X’Trapolis EMUs.
Russia — State Transport Leasing Company (GTLK) has signed a loan agreement with a consortium of banks to finance the serial purchase of 41 high-speed trains from Ural Locomotives. The agreement provides for a credit line of RUB 223 bln ($2.3 bln) for 25 years. This autumn, GTLK announced it had transferred the first advance payment of RUB 12 bln ($120.9 mln) to the manufacturer.
Oxygène EMUs. Source: CAF
France — SNCF has ordered 22 more Oxygène EMUs from CAF, which are expected to replace locomotive-hauled trains on the Marseille–Bordeaux route from 2028. The €400 mln purchase is an option on the 2019 contract to be financed from the French state budget. The main order for 28 vehicles will be fulfilled with a four-year delay. The commissioning of the first batch has been postponed from 2023 to 2027.
Hungary — The national railway company MAV is looking for a supplier of 285 passenger coaches for push-pull trains. The tender calls for 169 second-class and 32 first-class coaches, half of which are equipped with a buffet, 51 first-class coaches with a control cab and 33 coaches for luggage and bicycles.
The Intercity 125 in the vicinity of Prestonpans. Source: Jonathan/flickr
UK — Transport Scotland plans to replace 25 HST (Intercity 125) diesel trains under a contract to be awarded in 2025.The Intercity 125, built by BREL between 1975 and 1982, holds the official world speed record for diesel trains, reaching 238 km/h, although the unofficial record is held by Talgo.
Austria — The operator GKB has announced a tender for up to 100 EMUs, with a firm part including 28 trainsets. Deliveries are scheduled to begin next September. Requirements include a maximum train length of 85 m, a maximum speed of 160 to 200 km/h and at least 250 seats.
Production of EMUs at TMH plant in Demikhovo. Source: Alexey Stolchnev/ROLLINGSTOCK
Russia — TMH plant in Demikhovo plans to deliver 118 electric train cars to Russian Railways in 2025. This was announced by Aleksandr Loshmanov, TMH’s Deputy General Director for Passenger Transport Development, at the presentation of the revived Aurora train on 19 November. The order is 37.2%, or 70 cars, less than RZD’s order placed with the plant in 2024, whici is due to a reduction in the operator’s investment options.
