Alstom and OnTrain Advance Multi-System Rail Operations with Traxx Universal

Alstom and Polish leasing company OnTrain have unveiled the first Traxx Universal multi-system locomotive from a new fleet of 40 vehicles designed for cross-border operations across Central and Eastern Europe.

Alstom and OnTrain, a modern locomotive leasing platform, have presented the first Traxx Universal multi-system electric locomotive. Production is carried out under contracts signed by Alstom and OnTrain in 2024, covering a total of 40 vehicles.

Thirty-five locomotives will be approved for operation in Poland, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia, while five vehicles will be homologated for the Eastern Corridor, covering Poland, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Alstom will also be responsible for the preventive maintenance of the rolling stock purchased by OnTrain during the warranty period.

"OnTrain’s objective is to provide customers with locomotives that maintain the highest standards of safety and functionality while ensuring high fleet availability. As a new entrant in the railway rolling stock leasing market, OnTrain relies on proven solutions such as Traxx locomotives to compete effectively with the largest players in the sector. We have already tested four of the five Traxx locomotives ordered in December 2024, which proved their technical quality during trials and confirmed that choosing the Traxx platform was the right decision. We hope that soon our customers will also be able to experience the advantages of Traxx locomotives and appreciate once again how reliable they are as a partner in day-to-day operations," said Piotr Ignasiak, CEO of OnTrain.

Traxx Universal Designed for Cross-Border Operations

The third-generation Traxx Universal multi-system locomotives are characterised by high operational performance, reliability, energy efficiency, and extended maintenance intervals. Their design allows them to haul heavier loads than many locomotives in the same class.

The platform is used in both passenger and freight transport and is available in several configurations, including AC, DC, and multi-system variants. The locomotives ordered by OnTrain are equipped with the Onvia signalling system (formerly Atlas), Alstom’s onboard ETCS solution covering one of the widest ranges of countries and subsystems in Europe.

"We are very pleased that Traxx Universal locomotives will strengthen the locomotive leasing platform fleet that OnTrain is building to support the dynamic growth of the rail market in Europe. We are proud that a significant part of this order is being produced in Poland, at Alstom’s Wrocław site, which is responsible for manufacturing the locomotive bodyshells. The expertise of the local team, supported by investments in the development of our production facilities, allows us to respond effectively to market demand for modern multi-system locomotives, both in the leasing model and through orders placed for transport companies’ own operational needs. We believe that the cooperation between Alstom and OnTrain contributes to strengthening the role of rail and advancing the development of a sustainable and low-emission Trans-European Transport Network," said Beata Rusinowicz, Managing Director of Alstom in Poland.

Wrocław Site Continues Major Manufacturing Programme

The locomotives for OnTrain are manufactured at Alstom’s Kassel site in Germany, while the bodyshells are produced at the company’s facility in Wrocław. The Polish site is one of Alstom’s key manufacturing centres and has produced more than 2,000 Traxx locomotive bodyshells in various configurations, including DC, AC and multi-system versions.

Among them are locomotives equipped with the Last Mile system, which enables shunting on non-electrified sidings without overhead power supply.

In recent years, the Wrocław site has also played a major role in the production of ICE 4 trains for Deutsche Bahn. Under the largest rolling stock contract in the German operator’s history, more than 1,500 bodyshells and bogies were produced in Wrocław for trains now operating in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland.

The execution of the Deutsche Bahn programme was supported by investments of nearly €60 million in the facility, including the construction of a new production hall featuring advanced painting, blasting and bonding technologies.

Further Investment Supports Future Growth

Over the past five years, Alstom has invested a further €30 million-plus in the transformation of the Wrocław site, including a state-of-the-art aluminium welding line and what was at the time Europe’s largest aluminium machining machine, measuring 90 metres in length.

Additional developments include a new train interior assembly line linked to a major contract for German operators go.Rheinland and Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr in North Rhine-Westphalia. That project covers the production of 904 rail cars, with Wrocław responsible for welding, painting, and initial vehicle outfitting.

Today, Alstom’s Wrocław facility employs more than 1,000 people and continues the legacy of one of Europe’s oldest rolling stock factories, originally established in 1833 and later known as Pafawag.

_{Source: Alstom}