European rail leasing company RAILPOOL has ordered fifty Traxx Universal multi-purpose locomotives from Alstom. This follows an order from RAILPOOL for fifteen of the locos last year, and an order from Akiem for one hundred Traxx Universal locos just last week.

The locomotives can operate both freight and passenger services. Alstom boasts that their key characteristics are high reliability, flexibility in combination and optimal power consumption, enabling them to operate efficiently across borders.

They can run for long periods between maintenance, which makes operational planning easier, cuts costs and improves their availability.

RAILPOOL plans to use the locomotives in eight countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxemburg and Poland.

All the locomotives will be equipped with Atlas, Alstom’s onboard signalling system that works with both the European Train Control System (ETCS) and with legacy systems. ETCS is an in-cab signalling technology that removes the need for trackside signalling, enabling improved performance, reduced delays, better safety and lower costs.

Alstom will carry out the engineering of the locomotives at its site in Mannheim, Germany.Carbody shell production will take place in sites involved are Wroclaw, Poland; production of bogies in Siegen, Germany; and project management in Zurich, Switzerland. The locos will be assembled in the German city of Kassel.

The contract is valued at up to 260 million euro.

Kevin Cogo, Vice-President, Rolling Stock, Locomotives & Components, Alstom DACH, said: “We are delighted that RAILPOOL has chosen Alstom to expand their operations in several parts of Europe. This contract marks the continuation of a long-standing and successful partnership. With our proven Traxx locomotives and our state-of-the-art Atlas signalling solution, we are proud to contribute to a more efficient and sustainable freight and passenger transport.”

Torsten Lehnert, CEO of RAILPOOL, added: “With this purchase we solidify our commitment to develop our one-of-a-kind full-service offering in the French market on top of the recent office opening in France under the leadership of Frédérique Erlichman. All 50 locomotives ordered from our partner Alstom will cover operations in France and along the most important European corridors, contributing to the further advancement of sustainable high-performance rail transportation out of France.”