Alstom has secured a major framework agreement with rolling stock leasing specialist Northrail that could see up to 100 next-generation Traxx Shunter locomotives enter service, with the overall contract valued at as much as €700 million.
The agreement marks the launch order for Alstom's new Traxx Shunter platform and represents a significant milestone in the company's efforts to develop cleaner, more versatile locomotives capable of serving shunting, infrastructure and mainline freight operations.
Northrail, which is majority-owned by RIVE Private Investment through the RIVE Transportation Assets Income Fund (RTAIF), has initially placed a firm order worth just under €100 million. The package covers the supply of Traxx Shunter locomotives for use in Germany, together with 10 years of maintenance services.
The locomotives will be designed and assembled at Alstom's Belfort manufacturing centre in France, with deliveries scheduled to commence from the end of 2029.
Under the wider framework agreement, options are available for additional locomotives, including deployment in France, alongside maintenance support contracts extending for up to 20 years.
Frédéric Wiscart, President of Alstom France, Belgium and Luxembourg, said:
"We are particularly proud to announce the world's first order for the next-generation Traxx Shunter locomotives. Beyond its significance for our French sites, this contract demonstrates the confidence placed in our customer, Northrail, by rail operators. It also confirms the relevance of our solutions in meeting the growing demand of all stakeholders for greener transportation."
The Traxx Shunter has been developed as a modular and scalable platform, allowing operators to tailor the locomotive to a wide range of operational requirements. The design supports multiple energy sources and has been engineered to reduce the environmental impact of rail freight and shunting activities.
The variant ordered by Northrail combines overhead line operation via a pantograph with diesel propulsion, enabling enhanced flexibility across electrified and non-electrified routes.
Alstom said the locomotive has been designed to deliver high tractive effort for medium and heavy-duty shunting, infrastructure works and freight operations on mainline networks. It can operate at speeds of up to 120 km/h and is compatible with renewable fuels including Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and biodiesel.
The manufacturer added that its advanced adhesion control system enables the locomotives to haul longer and heavier trains while maintaining strong performance across curves and gradients.
Driver welfare has also been a major consideration during development. The cab has been designed to provide excellent visibility, rapid changes of driving direction and increased onboard workspace.
Access is available from both ends of the locomotive via dedicated walkways, while multiple onboard cameras assist with operational safety during shunting movements.
The locomotives will be equipped with Alstom's modular Onvia ETCS signalling solution and can be adapted to accommodate national signalling systems where required.
The locomotive fleet will benefit from Alstom's HealthHub digital monitoring platform, which uses condition-based and predictive maintenance technologies to provide operators with real-time performance insights.
According to Alstom, the solution is designed to improve fleet reliability, maximise availability and reduce lifecycle costs.
The manufacturer will also provide support through its established maintenance network, helping operators maintain fleet performance throughout the contract period.
The new Traxx Shunter further strengthens Alstom's established Traxx locomotive range, one of the broadest portfolios currently available in the rail sector. The family includes electric, hybrid, passenger, freight and heavy-haul locomotives designed to meet differing national standards and operating requirements around the world.
The company's focus on longer maintenance intervals, predictive maintenance and hybrid technologies continues to support the rail industry's drive towards lower-carbon transport and improved operational efficiency.
Image credit: Alstom
