Israel Railways to Purchase 90 Hybrid Locomotives: Fleet Renewal Worth Billions of Dollars

Israel Railways (IR) has announced the commencement of the bidding process for the procurement of 90 hybrid mainline locomotives, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

This is a significant step in the renewal of the rolling stock fleet, aimed at supporting the development of the country’s railway infrastructure for the coming decades.

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As part of this process, IR has issued a Request for Information (RFI), which includes the purchase of 20 locomotives by the end of 2026. The remaining deliveries will take place by 2040.

The key requirements for the new locomotives include being equipped with a diesel-electric power plant coupled with battery systems.

The locomotives must be capable of reaching speeds of up to 120 km/h and be compatible with the existing rolling stock.

This means they will be able to operate not only in tandem with other locomotives of the same model but also with the current machines in service.

The new locomotives will have a load capacity of 5,040 tons, and their range without refueling will reach 1,000 kilometers, significantly enhancing their operational capabilities.

The first locomotive delivery is expected 24 months after the contract is signed.

Potential suppliers are required to provide detailed data on the terms of contract execution, including the cost per unit, by October 10.

This stage is crucial for selecting the most advantageous offer in terms of price and quality.

As of today, the IR fleet consists of over 190 units produced by companies such as Alstom, Vossloh, Bombardier, and General Motors Diesel.

However, the average age of these locomotives exceeds 25 years, posing a challenge for IR to replace them.

The fleet renewal is aimed at improving the reliability and efficiency of rail transport in the country, which is especially important given the growing demand for transportation services.

Thus, the initiative to purchase new locomotives is not only a systematic development of infrastructure but also a strategic step aimed at modernizing Israel’s transport system.

IR intends to continue the active development of its network, which, in the long term, will ensure the high competitiveness of rail transport in the country.

Photo: railjournal.com

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