First TRAXXes with Onvia Cab ETCS in service
posted on 27th Feb 2026 17:28
In recent weeks, ERA has issued the first few approvals for TRAXX3 MS locomotives with Onvia Cab type ETCS. Alstom designates TRAXXes with this new OBU by software version PR02 (Product Release 02).
On 23 December 2025, ERA granted approval for the DE(-AT)-PL(-BE-FR)-LU version with diesel Last Mile module for operation in Germany, Poland and Luxembourg for the time being, and on 22 January 2026, a series of further approvals were issued covering all of these countries, and in versions with and without LM module.
Northrail has ordered 15 locomotives of this variant with the LM module and on 16 February 2026 it took over the first two machines from Alstom, 188 101 and 102, followed by 188 103 on 26 February. Locomotive 188 101 is being hired by e.g.o.o. Eisenbahngesellschaft Ostfriesland-Oldenburg.
On 20 February 2026, ERA issued the type approval of the DE-AT-PL-CZ-SK-HU and DE-AT-PL-CZ-SK-HU(-RO-SL-HR-RS) variants, both with and without the diesel Last Mile module. The variant without the LM module corresponds to the series 388.027 - 037 currently supplied to ČD Cargo. The first two locomotives were transported to the Czech Republic in mid-December 2025 and put into service at the turn of January and February based on a permit issued by the Czech Drážní úřad, allowing operation only on the Czech network.
The first to enter service was 388.028 on 29 January, followed a few days later by 388.027, and with the exception of a few initial days, they are already using ETCS on the Czech network. The ERA approval then represents the possibility of deployment the ČD Cargo locomotives abroad and may launch deliveries of further ČD Cargo locomotives. Not only the entire series 388.027 - 037 is already production-ready, but also several machines from the subsequent 12-unit order 388.038 - 049. The orders so far include another 11 locomotives, i.e. a total of 60. The previous machines, up to 388.026, were still delivered with ETCS of the EbiCab type, and this was approved by ERA only recently, at the beginning of July 2025.
