Bombardier Transportation announced today that it will build 35 TRAXX locomotives for the European rolling stock leasing company CBRail. The order, which amounts to approximately 130 million euros ($156 million US), comprises the production of 25 Electric multi-system locomotives and 10 Diesel-electric locomotives. The vehicles are scheduled to be delivered in 2007 and 2008. The contract also includes options for 70 additional locomotives.
The vehicles, renowned for their superior reliability, will be manufactured in Bombardier’s production facility in Kassel (Germany). The carbodies will be produced by Bombardier’s site in Wroclaw (Poland), while the bogies will be supplied by the Siegen (Germany) facility.
With this order, CBRail will expand its own locomotive fleet, which currently consists of 32 locomotives in mainland Europe, including eight existing TRAXX AC locomotives. This new order will enable CBRail to meet a wide variety of operator requirements for cross-border European operations from North to South or West to East, as well as the operation of services over non-electrified lines.
“This order is another important step in the development of our TRAXX product and we are delighted to expand our relationship with CBRail”, said Edmund Schlummer, President, Locomotives, Bombardier Transportation. He added: “With the development of our ultramodern multi-system locomotives, we move a step closer to borderless European rail transport of the future. The success of our new TRAXX DE is convincing proof that we were right to make diesel traction part of our platform strategy“.
The modular multi-system locomotive for intra-European goods transport is designed for both direct and alternating current and can be equipped with the different train safety systems that exist in Europe. All locomotives are equipped with the tried and tested MITRAC propulsion and control technology from Bombardier.
The strategy applied to all locomotives in the TRAXX family, which consists of using a number of identical parts, is very advantageous for the customer. This makes the integration of new trains into existing fleets easily possible, and keeps the costs of usage and maintenance low. In addition, the TRAXX locomotives are known for their high level of availability and serviceability over their entire life cycle. Over 750 of the locomotives based on the 185 Series have already been ordered and almost 400 are in daily use transporting goods and passengers throughout Europe.
The CBRail joint venture established by Babcock & Brown (ASX:BNB) and Bank of Scotland is actively involved in the provision of operating leases for freight and passenger rolling stock to European operators. This contract signifies another important step in its continuing development within the European rolling stock market and these locomotives will be offered on lease to operators across Europe.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from regional aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2005, were $15.8 billion US and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.
TRAXX and MITRAC are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
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