Alstom lands first order for Traxx Shunter locomotives with Northrail

The French railway manufacturer Alstom announced on Wednesday a first order for its new locomotives intended in particular to move wagons in marshalling yards, which will be manufactured in Belfort (eastern France).

The firm part of the order, signed with the German railway equipment rental company Northrail, represents “a little less” than 100 million euros, indicates Alstom. It could reach 700 million euros if all options are exercised.

This contract marks the commercial launch of the Traxx Shunter, Alstom's new range of “shunting” locomotives, which move and sort wagons over short distances, in freight stations, depots or industrial sites. Their renewal is a challenge for European rail freight, where a large part of shunting operations still depend on diesel, says Alstom.

The first deliveries are planned for the end of 2029 with a view to entering service in Germany. In total, the signed contract could cover a total of 100 locomotives. The manufacturer did not specify the number of machines affected by the firm part of the order.

These machines are capable of running under catenary and using diesel outside of electrified tracks, explains Alstom. They could also run on certain main lines, beyond just maneuvering.

This order opens a new outlet at the Belfort site, the historic cradle of Alstom saved ten years ago, which also designs and manufactures TGV power trains.

It also extends a commercial relationship with Northrail: in 2023, the two companies concluded a framework agreement relating to 50 Traxx locomotives of another model, intended for circulation on main lines.

“Maneuvers constitute the main bastion of aging diesel traction in Europe, and operators need a credible alternative to renew these fleets,” underlined Camille Brunel, partner of the majority shareholder fund of Northrail, quoted in the press release.