Northrail introduces its first TRAXX

On 14 May 2025, Northrail presented in Valenciennes and Crespin the first of its TRAXX3 MS locomotives ordered.

On 29 June 2023, Northrail, more precisely its parent concern RIVE Private Investment, concluded a framework contract for 50 TRAXX Universal locomotives, including maintenance by the manufacturer for up to 16 years, of which 15 machines have been firmly ordered with maintenance for 8 years. This was the first ever order of the then newly introduced TRAXX Universal platform, with which Alstom switched to its own Atlas product, now Onvia Cab, for the installation of the on-board ETCS.

Technically, however, the machines are equivalent to the TRAXX3 MS type, and specifically the locomotives for Northrail will be equipped to operate in Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria and Poland, and optionally in the Netherlands. With this, the TRAXX3 MS will now also enter France.

Deliveries were due to start in 4th quarter 2025 and even currently it is planned to start deliveries from the end of 2025 and approval for France is still planned until then. All locomotives will be equipped with either a diesel or battery Last Mile module, but in the latter case this will only be possible once such a variant has been introduced to the market, which is expected in mid-2027.