Alstom Unveils the Third-Generation Traxx Universal Locomotive

On September 20, 2025, at the National Railway Day event held in Nymburk, Czech Republic, Alstom and Czech freight operator ČD Cargo celebrated a significant milestone in their collaboration with the official debut of the Traxx Universal multi-system locomotive (registration number 388.020). This unit is the 20th out of 60 such locomotives ordered by ČD Cargo, serving as a core asset for its expansion into the European market. Notably, the locomotive features exclusive decals symbolizing the achievements of this partnership.

As a key step in their cooperation, the delivery of Traxx locomotives commenced in 2021 and will continue until 2026–2027. A major breakthrough this year lies in the locomotive’s integration of an updated European Train Control System (ETCS) software, which has now been approved for regular operations. This upgrade will be progressively applied to all locomotives of the same model, including the newly unveiled unit, thereby strengthening the technical foundation for cross-border operations.

Tomáš Tóth, Chairman of the Board of ČD Cargo, emphasized: "The Traxx multi-system locomotive is central to our international expansion strategy. This milestone not only demonstrates tangible results but also highlights the value of our long-term partnership with Alstom. Thanks to the joint efforts of Alstom teams from the Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, and France in overcoming ETCS certification challenges, the Traxx locomotive has now evolved into a fully interoperable model equipped with an active ETCS system."

Dan Kurucz, General Manager of Alstom in the Czech Republic, added: "The slogan on the new locomotive—'Empowered by Alstom, Driven by ČD Cargo Across Europe'—perfectly captures the essence of our collaboration."

It is reported that the Traxx Universal multi-system locomotive is authorized to operate in nine European countries, including the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria (with certain variants also covering Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia). Furthermore, it supports the optional “last-kilometer” module to fulfill independent traction requirements. Designed for freight operations with a maximum speed of 160 km/h and a service life of at least 30 years, the locomotive combines high operational performance, reliability, and energy efficiency. Its extended maintenance intervals significantly enhance equipment availability, providing robust long-term support for cross-border freight transportation in Europe.