Akiem highlights its local presence in Poland at TRAKO
posted on 25th Sep 2025 08:55
Akiem participates in the TRAKO exhibition in Gdańsk from 23 to 26 September. At this event, Akiem presents its vision of the Polish market and its local commitment, illustrated by the showcase of the Dragon 2 locomotive, designed and manufactured by Newag.
Present in Central Europe for over 12 years, Akiem opened its office in Poland in 2019. Today, a team of sales representatives, ECM3 planners, and project engineers, comprising more than 30 employees based in Warszawa and Poznań, supports customers in Polish, Czech, and Slovak. This linguistic and operational proximity is a pillar of Akiem's strategy: "Serving our customers in their local language and understanding the specific needs of each market is our added value. In Poland, this means offering powerful, reliable locomotives adapted to the national infrastructure, while ensuring local service," adds Anna Puchalowicz, Regional Director for Central Europe.
As in the past, Akiem is present at TRAKO, a key event in the Polish railway world. This year, the group aims to highlight, through its local subsidiary, its technical expertise, investment capacity, and commitment to sustainable rail transport. "The Polish rail market is distinguished by its fragmentation and dynamism," says Anna Puchalowicz. "We respond to this with a flexible offering, adapted to complex calls for tenders and the varied needs of operators. The growing demand for modern, reliable, and environmentally friendly locomotives confirms the relevance of our investments."
A fleet of single- and multi-system locomotives, meeting the needs of Polish operators
Akiem offers Polish freight operators a wide range of Bo'Bo' locomotives, in DC and MS versions, such as the TRAXX, Vectron, and Eurosprinter, capable of meeting specific transport and traction needs. Demand is also shifting towards more modern, reliable, safe, and environmentally friendly stock, which the recent acquisition of Dragon 2 platforms from Polish manufacturer Newag meets, fully in line with Akiem's strategic commitment to promoting a European rail market and fostering modal shift.
In November 2023, Akiem ordered 30 Dragon 2 locomotives - with an option for 50 more - including 10 multi-system locomotives approved for operation in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, and 20 DC locomotives equipped with Last Mile module, intended for operation in Poland and for cross-border access to stations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
"The Dragon 2 platform represents the latest generation of freight locomotives, renowned for its tractive power and reliability; it holds the tractive effort record on the Velim circuit", comments Anna Puchalowicz. “Designed to ensure sustainable transport with energy efficiency, it meets the TSI requirements and is capable with its 6 axles of hauling freight trains of up to 4,200 t (while it is 3,200 t for 4-axle locomotives).
Its versatility, including its multi-system capabilities and its Last Mile module that meets Stage V emission standards and is equipped with HVO compatible engines, guarantees seamless operations on different networks, allowing us to offer operators greater hauling capacity and efficiency: they will be able to develop new freight services, with heavier trains running at higher speeds, including for access to mining and industrial sites located in the Silesian Mountains and with the highest standards of reliability and safety. And the 500 kW HVO-compatible Last Mile modules will accelerate the transition from diesel to greener electric traction when operating on non-electrified industrial sites.”
Displayed at Track B09, the Dragon 2 LM version sports a special livery illustrating a journey through Poland, with stylized representations of some of the country's iconic monuments. In the center, the slogan "Moc która napędza przyszłość Polskiej kolei" ("The power that drives the future of Polish railways"), set against the Polish flag, conveys a powerful message of the locomotive's power and Akiem's local footprint.
Akiem had already received nine Dragon 2s and they are all running throughout Poland, Czechia, and Slovakia. The delivery of the batch will be finished in 2027, and the lessor haven’t confirmed any options yet.