Alstom Secured Order for 100 TRAXX Shunter Locomotives
Rail freight operators gain access to dual-mode locomotives as Alstom finalizes a deal with Northrail.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Transportation
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Alstom signed a framework agreement to supply up to 100 TRAXX Shunter locomotives to Northrail, with an initial firm order valued at just under 100 million EUR. This deal includes 10 years of maintenance services for the dual-mode units.
Why it matters
The order allows rail operators to modernize fleets with locomotives capable of both pantograph and diesel propulsion, providing greater flexibility across electrified and non-electrified routes. This modular design supports operational continuity as networks transition energy sources.
The framework covers up to 100 locomotives with a potential total value of 700 million EUR, while the initial firm order of just under 100 million EUR includes 10 years of maintenance. The units operate at speeds up to 120 km/h using pantograph or diesel, HVO2, or biodiesel fuel.
The players
Alstom
A global manufacturer of rolling stock and rail infrastructure systems with a large-scale manufacturing presence in France.
Northrail
A rail asset management company that provides leasing solutions for rolling stock to freight and passenger operators.
RIVE Private Investment
An independent private equity firm that acts as the majority owner of Northrail through its RTAIF investment vehicle.
The details
Designed at Alstom's Belfort centre, these locomotives feature dual-mode capabilities allowing seamless transitions between overhead line power and diesel-based propulsion. The flexibility to run on liquid diesel, HVO2, or biodiesel allows operators to scale their environmental compliance without replacing entire fleets. Northrail, which is majority-owned by RIVE Private Investment through RTAIF, will deploy these units to serve shifting infrastructure needs.
Timeline
23 September 2026: Alstom and Northrail signed the framework agreement at InnoTrans.
End of 2029: Deliveries of the new locomotives are scheduled to commence.
Market Landscape
The agreement follows the established pattern of major fleet modernization contracts finalized at InnoTrans. It aligns with broader industry trends toward dual-mode locomotives that hedge against fluctuating electrification timelines across European rail networks.
Operators should monitor the 2029 delivery timeline as a benchmark for when this dual-mode technology will enter active service. Management teams should evaluate whether similar multi-fuel capabilities in their own fleet could reduce dependency on specific refueling infrastructure.
The takeaway
This deal signals a strategic shift toward flexible, multi-fuel rolling stock that accommodates both electrified and non-electrified track segments. Review your current locomotive maintenance and fuel-sourcing contracts to determine if multi-fuel units provide a cost-effective alternative to single-mode assets.
Further reading
For more on industry developments, see our Transportation section.
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