Alstom and Ukrzaliznytsia have signed a contract for the supply of 55 Traxx Hauler electric locomotives, specially adapted to Ukrainian infrastructure. According to Ukrzaliznytsia, the deal is worth around €473 million. The relevant documents were signed on November 17 in the presence of the presidents of Ukraine and France.
Financing is provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (€300 million) and the World Bank’s URTF fund (€173 million).
More than ten companies – manufacturers of rolling stock from Europe and Asia – took part in the tender. This particular proposal was submitted by the leading European manufacturer Alstom Transport S.A. In accordance with international rules, its proposal was carefully evaluated and qualified with the involvement of independent technical and procurement consultants. Ukrzaliznytsia emphasizes that market analysis by independent consultants confirmed that the price of Alstom’s high-power dual-system electric locomotives per axle and per kW is absolutely competitive and advantageous.
The locomotives will be designed and manufactured at the Alstom plant in Belfort (France). Deliveries are expected to start in the first quarter of 2027 and to be lasting for three years.
The contract also provides for the training of drivers and technical personnel and the partial supply of necessary spare parts.
“The 55 new electric locomotives will effectively replace about 80 older models currently in operation and will reduce operating costs by more than 30%,” Ukrzaliznytsia said on its Telegram channel.
Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge noted that cooperation with Ukrzaliznytsia is an important contribution to the modernization of Ukraine’s rail transport. According to him, the new locomotives combine high performance, reliability, and energy efficiency, and are designed in accordance with operating conditions in Ukraine.
“The strategic agreement we have signed with Alstom for the supply of 55 modern freight locomotives is an important step towards solving the critical problem of an outdated traction fleet, whose average age is 46 years, as well as an investment in the economic security and sustainability of our logistics. This agreement is an important signal of confidence from international partners (the World Bank’s URTF Fund, the EBRD) in the future of the Ukrainian railway industry. We are grateful to our partners for this support,” said Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, Chairman of the Board of Ukrzaliznytsia JSC.
The locomotives will have a four-bogey configuration in a twin Bo-Bo layout, with each axle driven by a separate traction motor. The dual-voltage machines will be adapted to operate in two power supply systems – 3 kV DC and 25 kV AC. The power will range from 7.2 to 9.4 MW, with a maximum speed of 120 km/h.
Ukrzaliznytsia and Alstom have also agreed on the possibility of involving Ukrainian manufacturers of various components, in particular safety systems, communication equipment, brake pads, wheel sets, cable and wire products, cooling systems, etc., in the supply chain during the service cycle. An expanded meeting of the Alstom, UZ, and Ukrainian railway product manufacturers teams is planned for the first quarter of 2026.
A modern service center will be deployed in Ukraine at one of the UZ enterprises to service the locomotives.
The Traxx range is one of the most versatile in the world and covers electric, hybrid, shunting, and freight locomotives. The technical solutions in this series provide increased intervals between maintenance, adaptability to different operating conditions, and reduced life cycle costs. Since 2000, Alstom has sold more than 6,000 locomotives worldwide.
Sourced from Alstom