PKP Intercity is progressing with its fleet renewal program, including 150 new wagons, new locomotives, and units. The program also includes the introduction of hybrid locomotives from PESA Bydgoszcz. The contract covers the delivery of 16 dual-mode Gama locomotives, which are newly developed by PESA. Representatives of PKP Intercity recently visited PESA’s production facilities to review the manufacturing process – and revealed that the locomotive will be more than dual mode, it will also get a significant facelift.
PESA has foreshadowed this design for couple of years now, however, only at fairs and in some of their promotional materials. The design is very much aligned with the fronts on the RegioFox DMUs made for České dráhy.
The hybrid locomotives will reach maximum speeds of up to 160 km/h. Their dual-mode propulsion system will enable seamless operation under wires and without catenary too. The engine will be significantly stronger than the current, although stronger, last-mile diesel modules on electric Gamas. If the new facelift version will comply with the first prototype, the locomotive will weight 87,5 tonnes and reach power output of 2.8 MW under DC catenary, and 1.56 MW in diesel mode.
Under the terms of the agreement, the first locomotive is expected to undergo the homologation process starting this summer, Janusz Malinowski, CEO PKP Intercity, commented on X social media.
