Alstom delivers the first Traxx Universal DC locomotive to MIR with Ultimo Miglio

from Brevi railwaye dated 06 May 2024

Alstom press release

Delivered today (6 May), at the Alstom factory in Vado Ligure (SV), the first Alstom Traxx Universal DC locomotive equipped with Ultimo Miglio, an innovative element that allows the train to be connected to non-electrified areas without the aid of shunting locomotives. During the event, the FS Group Logistics Hub announced the award to Alstom of the tender worth over 323 million euros for the supply of 70 new locomotives (both with Last Mile and electric only) with related maintenance service for 12 years , with the option to purchase additional up to a maximum of 30.

The locomotive was lit by Edoardo Rixi, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Giacomo Raul Giampedrone, Councilor for Public Works, Infrastructure and Roads of the Liguria Region, Alessandro Berta, Director of the Savona Industrial Union, Sabrina De Filippis, CEO and General Director of Mercitalia Logistics (FS Group Logistics Hub), Michele Viale, General Director of Alstom Italia and President and CEO of Alstom Ferroviaria, and Silvio Damagini, CEO of Mercitalia Rail.

“To have a modern infrastructure system, Europe must go back to thinking differently than it has done in the last 30 years. – declared Edoardo Rixi, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport – Today the Italian logistics system manages 70% of the needs of the national industry and 30% is ensured by the ports of Northern Europe, mainly Northern Italy. We must move to a capacity of 120-130% compared to the current one, to serve not only our industrial system but also the German and French ones. or Swiss if necessary. It’s a big bet, we are investing over 200 billion on the railways in the next 12 years. If we add the issue of road traffic and maritime works, we are talking about a real infrastructural revolution.”

“Today represents for us a fundamental stage in the process of relaunching the logistics sector – declared Sabrina De Filippis, CEO of Mercitalia Logistics – because with the delivery of these first locomotives with Last Mile module we can see the result first-hand of our investments. To these 20 locomotives, another 70 will be added starting from the end of 2025. We have in fact awarded Alstom the tender worth over 323 million euros for the supply of 70 new locomotives with related maintenance service, with the option for purchase of another 30. A further step forward in the renewal of our fleet of locomotives and wagons to make rail transport increasingly sustainable and efficient”.

“We are very happy to celebrate this important occasion together with Polo Logistica, our long-standing customer and pioneer of high-power electric locomotives. Today marks the delivery of the first Traxx Universal DC locomotive equipped with Ultimo Miglio, a significant milestone of the our partnership – declared Michele Viale, General Director of Alstom Italia and President and CEO of Alstom Ferroviaria – Over the last 20 years, over 2700 Traxx locomotives have been sold in Europe alone, of which over 250 are in Italy Universal DC for the Italian market are produced at the Alstom headquarters in Vado Ligure, a site of excellence which has been responsible for all phases of vehicle design and production for over a hundred years thanks to the know-how of over 300 people”.

The locomotive being delivered to the Logistics Hub via Mercitalia Rail is part of the 20 optional locomotives which will be added to the 40 already in commercial service as part of the contract signed in December 2017.

The four-axle Traxx Universal DC designed specifically for goods transport, characterized by efficiency in electrical energy consumption and high traction capacity, represents an excellence that adapts over the years to the evolution of new contexts and different operational needs. The more functional design, compared to previous models, allows the application of a maintenance plan with longer intervals and a reduced number of interventions, maintaining high levels of reliability and availability.

The event represents an important milestone for the Logistics Hub, strongly committed to achieving the challenging objectives of the FS Group Industrial Plan, which sees, among the main objectives, the renewal of the rolling stock to guarantee increasingly efficient and sustainable services, enhancing the the excellence of Made in Italy on the national and international scene. Investments for the renewal of the fleet, for the strengthening of the terminals, for the digitalisation of processes and for the development of new partnerships, aim with determination to redefine the future of freight transport with a view to greater rail-road-sea integration.

The Alstom site in Vado Ligure employs over 300 people and covers a total area of 63 thousand square metres, of which 28,000 are dedicated to production. For over a century, the Ligurian site has been involved in various phases, including electrical and pneumatic sub-assembly, assembly of the trolleys, painting and final assembly of the vehicles, testing, rain tests and weighing of the vehicles, as well as the repair of power and control electronics.