ČD Cargo was among the first customers buying the Alstom Traxx 3 MS locomotives, at that time, still with the EBICAB ETCS system from Bombardier. After a long waiting period, Alstom finally started offering Traxx MS locomotives with its own Atlas ETCS system, which resulted in an influx of orders – from Northrail, Akiem, or Railpool.
ČD Cargo signed a framework agreement with Alstom and was one of the few loyal customers sticking to the plan at the time when Traxxes only had EBICAB. Now, it continues in ordering new locomotives, yet the ETCS system will be new – Atlas, ETCS Level 2, Baseline 3. Worth EUR 45 million, these locomotives should arrive in 2026.
Together with the existing 16 locomotives and 21 ordered for 2024 to 2025, the overall number of Traxx MS locomotives at ČD Cargo will rise to 49, almost complexly exercising the framework agreement for 50 locomotives.
ČD Cargo uses multisystem Traxxes mostly for international traffic and its expansion abroad. It is also striving to get these locomotives to Croatia, to work for ČD Cargo Adria. This would mean that the carrier is not only “pushing” older locomotives without ETCS to the Balkan (such as Classes 230 or 742 – two of which already got Indusi ATP for operation there), but it will also bring the modern fleet to the growing markets.
