Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has achieved an important milestone with the European Railway Agency (ERA) granting type approval for Traxx Universal locomotives equipped with the EbiCab 2000 ETCS system. This approval, covering version VR01.5, enables operation across multiple European corridors including Germany, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Luxembourg, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, and Serbia.
The newly approved version supports operations under ETCS Baseline 3, the latest European signalling standard, ensuring improved safety, interoperability, and efficiency. It also restores access to ETCS-only corridors in Austria, marking a critical step in achieving seamless cross-border freight operations.
“Cross-border traffic is vital for Europe’s freight sector. With version VR01.5 fully approved, our customers can now operate locomotives seamlessly across key European routes. This is not only a major step for Alstom but also for rail interoperability across Europe,” said Dan Kurucz, Managing Director of Alstom for Czech Republic and Slovakia.
This approval is especially significant for Czech freight carriers RegioJet and ČD Cargo, which operate the Traxx Class 388 fleet. Thirteen locomotives in RegioJet’s pool (388 219–231) have already been delivered with VR01.5 software. Six have been in service on Czech tracks since November 2024 under a test permit, while the remaining seven are now cleared for international use. Older Traxx 388 locomotives with VR01.2 software, still running without ETCS, will be progressively upgraded to VR01.5. Meanwhile, Metrans’ 386 series locomotives will be equipped with the Onvia Cab (formerly Atlas) onboard units.
Traxx Universal™ locomotives are built on a modular platform adaptable to both freight and passenger transport across single- and multi-country operations. Available in AC, DC, and multi-system configurations, they deliver high performance, energy efficiency, and extended maintenance cycles for greater availability. A key feature is the optional “Last Mile” function, enabling operation on non-electrified tracks such as port terminals and industrial zones. With approvals in 20 countries, more than 3,000 Traxx locomotives have been sold in the 21st century, covering over 300 million km annually.
