Uniting the continent: How Alstom’s all-in-one locomotive connects people and goods across Europe
Uniting the continent: How Alstom’s all-in-one locomotive connects people and goods across Europe
Almost 200 years ago, Europe’s first railway line connecting two countries opened, linking the cities of Tourcoing in France and Mouscron in Belgium, and heralding the advent of cross-border operations. When it comes to international corridors, Alstom’s locomotives can cross eight countries, linking France to Poland, acting as the backbone of freight and passenger transport on the continent.
Coping with various electrification systems
One of the challenges of cross-border rail operation are the various electrification norms and standards used across Europe. To overcome this, locomotives need to be multisystem – compatible with different electrification systems – so they can cross from one country to the other. Alstom’s multisystem offer is covered by Traxx Universal™, a modern four-axle electric locomotive platform renowned for its modularity, reliability and performance. The platform includes variants available for single or multiple-country freight and passenger applications and offers various catenary voltages. Designed to run at 200 km/h, these locomotives deliver a high tractive effort of up to 340 kN, so they can pull more wagons than other rail vehicles in the same class.
Traxx Universal locomotives can also be equipped with a ‘Last Mile’ functionality, travelling beyond the electrification network to terminals, ports, shunting yards, etc., unaided, thus streamlining operations and reducing costs. This proven catenary-free solution can be incorporated into any type of mainline locomotive: multisystem, AC or DC.
Overcoming the signalling challenge
Another challenge for cross-border operators is that virtually every country in Europe has its own railway signalling system. Alstom’s Onvia™ system, formerly known as Atlas™, is a stable ETCS signalling solution for cross-border operations that adheres to the latest interoperability standards.
The Onvia Cab™ onboard ETCS signalling system, designed for both new trains and retrofits, can be installed on a wide range of freight and passenger locomotives, electric multiple units (EMUs) and diesel multiple units (DMUs). Designed to save space, it achieves a high level of integration using fewer hardware components.
Implementing the latest ETCS ensures the possibility of denser train sequences, higher safety as well as creating a basis for automation upgrades, dynamic traffic management or automatic incident management. Complying with the new Baseline 3 standard, this system allows trains to switch between different signalling systems automatically while in motion, significantly reducing the need for prolonged border stops.
Operating reliably across Europe
With the right locomotives and the right signalling systems, the third challenge is to ensure that locomotives operate in top condition across the cross-border rail network. Alstom provides a comprehensive range of services for various types of locomotives, including routine preventive and corrective maintenance as well as major overhauls. With extensive depot and maintenance facilities across the continent, we support cross-border operations to ensure the highest availability for our customers’ fleets.
Our engineers have incorporated decades of experience into the design of the third-generation Traxx mainline locomotive platform, to ensure that it meets all serviceability requirements. This expertise is evident in the vehicle's modular design that simplifies maintenance through quick upgrades and component replacements. Another example of this are the initial maintenance intervals for Traxx locomotives, which were set at 10,000 km to prevent failures; however, they have since been optimised to 40,000 km, enabling maintenance stops every three to four months based on mission profiles.
This increase enhances locomotive availability and facilitates cross-border operations throughout Europe. Furthermore, Alstom has extended overhaul mileage intervals by 25%, ensuring critical components remain in optimal condition without compromising reliability, backed by remote monitoring and diagnostics to support our reliability improvement processes.
With the locomotive maintenance process fully digitalised, Alstom uses advanced AI algorithms to anticipate problems before they occur as well as monitor the actual condition of the locomotives, as part of its HealthHub™ solution. Alstom has also digitalised parts sourcing for over 15,000 Traxx locomotive spare parts, available via its StationOne™ online marketplace.
“Our ability to offer locomotives for rail corridors including France was a decisive factor in recent contract wins. Alstom’s locomotives have been operating in France for a long time, which has allowed us to acquire expertise in France’s legacy signalling system as well as in the French authorisation process.”
Adrian Kurz
Market & Portfolio Director, Alstom
A holistic approach to cross-border operations
This three-pronged approach to providing cross-border operators with the necessary locomotives, signalling and services, has borne fruit, but Traxx Universal’s appeal is not limited to cross-border operators. Alstom’s latest deliveries include a first batch of locomotives for Mercitalia, equipped with the Last Mile functionality and DC voltage capabilities catering specifically to the Italian market.
Alstom has also signed several frame agreements with key rail operators and lessors, including for future operations on the French corridor with CFL, Northrail, Akiem and Railpool.
Traxx Universal locomotives offer obvious benefits – enhanced train load capacities, reliable cross-border operations and Alstom’s best-in-class services capabilities. Whether intra-national or cross-border, operators rely on Alstom’s know-how in rolling stock, signalling and services to keep rail corridors moving across Europe.
