Romania: The launch ceremony of the three-coach Leon train took place last week at the North railway station in Bucharest. The DMU had previously covered over 30,000 km in tests and obtained EU certification.
Designed for a maximum speed of 120 km/h, the 60 m train can seat 145 passengers, including 11 in business class. The DMU is fitted with two power units, 390 kW each.
The Leon project was initiated back in 2011. The diesel train Class 77, produced by the local manufacturer Malaxa between 1935 and 1942, can be considered the predecessor of the new vehicle.
In 2020, Electroputere VFU, a local rolling stock repair and overhaul company, produced the prototype of the Leon, which boasts 60% domestically made components. While the train was initially designated to operate in the Romanian region of Moldavia, currently the Leon belongs to the private operator Grampet Group, the owner of Electroputere VFU.
