Alstom has signed a framework contract with the European rolling stock leasing company Akiem to supply 100 Traxx Universal multi-system (MS3) locomotives.

The agreement is worth up to 500 million euros, with the firm part of the order being for 65 locomotives.

With this agreement, Akiem is confirming its leadership in the European leasing market and its aim to contribute to the rail market’s accelerating activities, with major investment between France and 12 other European countries.

Traxx multi-system locomotives feature optimised energy consumption and are suitable for both freight and passenger operations at a speed of up to 160 kilometres per hour through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

Some of the locomotives will also come with a diesel engine or battery-powered to enable last-mile operation ports, terminals, or industrial sites without requiring a shunting locomotive.

All locomotives will be fitted with the ATLAS signalling system, which is Alstom’s solution for the European Train Control System (ETCS). This system is suitable for most countries and lines, both in ETCS and legacy system operation, and superior two-out-of-three architecture.

The locomotives are scheduled for delivery between 2025 and 2028, with final assembly at Alstom’s site in Kassel in Germany.

Kevin Cogo, Vice-President, Rolling Stock, Locomotives & Components, Alstom DACH, said: “We are very proud that Akiem extends their locomotive fleet with their biggest single order of Traxx locomotives for an important number of countries. Thanks to this agreement, both Akiem and Alstom will reinforce their strong position for locomotives in various corridors including their home market.”

Fabien Rochefort, CEO of Akiem added “Akiem is thrilled to place this new order with Alstom. We are constantly investing in our locomotive portfolio to serve our customers and develop new market positions. This stock investments will allow to offer new efficient and sustainable routes which will contribute to increase the modal shift towards rail in Europe.

“55 locomotives as part of this order will operate from France towards Europe in a context when no deliveries were experienced for the past decade. We are intending to contribute to the rejuvenation of rail Freight and intercity passenger transport in France and ease innovation and competition with the support of our maintenance and service teams.“

PCC Intermodel in Poland has recently taken delivery of four new Alstom Traxx 3 multisystem locomotives. Earlier this year Alstom won an order for 15 Traxx locomotives from Railpool, another European leasing company.