INTERNATIONAL: This concise weekly review presents a selection of rolling stock procurement news published from August 3 to August 9, 2026: fleet orders, deliveries and testing, and procurement planning.

Alstom X’trapolis 2.0 train at Flinders Street station in Melbourne
Alstom X’trapolis 2.0 train at Flinders Street station in Melbourne. Illustrative photo. Photo: Billy Evans, CC BY 4.0.

Firm Orders and Fleet Commitments

Hitachi order adds 19 trains to Trenitalia France plans

FS Group’s 19-train order covers Hitachi high-speed trains within an approximately €2 billion programme for construction, maintenance and technical support. The fleet will reinforce Trenitalia France services on Paris–Lyon, Paris–Milan and Paris–Marseille and support its planned Paris–London launch in 2029. The company’s cross-Channel plan still depends on infrastructure works and technical authorisations, so the train order does not by itself establish an operating service.

CP programme reaches 153 Adessia Stream trains

CP’s Adessia Stream programme now covers 153 Alstom trains: 98 for Lisbon, Porto and Cascais urban/suburban services and 55 for regional routes. The October 2025 base contract covered 117 EMUs, while a March 2026 addendum added 36 urban units; CP values the combined investment at €1.064 billion. First passenger service is scheduled for 2029, with final deliveries brought forward to 2031.

Melbourne doubles its X’trapolis 2.0 programme

Victoria’s follow-on X’trapolis 2.0 order adds 25 Alstom EMUs for €270 million, doubling Melbourne’s programme to 50 six-car trains. The first unit from the original 25-train batch entered passenger service in May 2026, while further deliveries continue. The second batch is now contracted, but a separate delivery timetable has not been published; production remains in Victoria with at least 60% local content required.

Edmonton expands Hyundai Rotem LRV order to 40

Edmonton’s expanded LRV order uses an option in its February 2026 Hyundai Rotem contract to add eight high-floor vehicles, raising the procurement from 32 to 40. The fleet is intended to replace 37 Siemens U2 cars that have served for more than 45 years and to support Capital and Metro line extensions. Design and manufacturing are due to start later in 2026, with deliveries expected in 2029–2030.

Ukrzaliznytsia contracts 92 new passenger cars

Ukrzaliznytsia’s 92-car contract with Kriukiv Carriage Works covers 83 compartment cars and nine barrier-free vehicles designed for wheelchair users. Standard cars are priced at UAH 68 million each and accessible cars at UAH 72 million, with state-budget funding. Deliveries are planned across 2027–2028; the order forms part of a broader state-backed renewal programme in which 358 passenger cars have been contracted.

Deliveries and Testing

Greek electric and hybrid fleets move through testing

Hellenic Train’s Greek-network testing programme has completed required trials for the Coradia Stream type, including energy tests up to 160 km/h, five-route compatibility checks and ETCS/GSM-R verification. Technical reports must now support the authorisation dossier for ERA, while Hitachi Rail Blues Intercity hybrid units remain in dynamic testing on the Thessaloniki–Larissa–Athens route. Neither programme is yet commercial passenger service, and no firm service start date is established.

Lithuania has received 12 of 15 new FLIRT trains

LTG Link has received 12 of its 15 Stadler FLIRT trains, comprising seven electric units and five battery-powered multiple units. Testing and certification are still under way, with three vehicles yet to arrive and all 15 requiring approval before regular service. LTG Link plans to introduce the fleet this autumn, with battery units assigned to routes that include non-electrified sections.

Western Sydney Airport train enters static testing

Sydney Metro has unveiled the first three-car train for its Western Sydney Airport line and moved it into static testing at Orchard Hills. The fleet will comprise 12 fully automated Siemens Mobility trainsets, each configured for up to 645 passengers; the remaining 11 are due progressively through 2026 and into 2027. Dynamic trials on the new line are scheduled to begin later in 2026 after stationary checks.

Traxtion starts a 46-locomotive deployment programme

Eight Wabtec C28 locomotives have arrived at Durban from New Zealand, starting the first of four shipments in Traxtion’s 46-locomotive programme. The R1.8 billion locomotive investment now moves into refurbishment and upgrading at Traxtion’s Pretoria Rail Services Hub, scheduled to begin in September 2026. The first rebuilt units are expected to enter freight service from March 2027; the initial batch is not yet ready for commercial operation.

Procurement in Planning

FrontRunner 2X includes a planned 10-train procurement

Utah’s FrontRunner 2X project has entered the FTA Engineering phase with a 10-train procurement included in its scope. The project team says the final train type and design are still being determined, so the fleet element remains a planned procurement rather than a vehicle order. The wider project also includes 11 double-track sections, a maintenance facility and signalling work along the 82-mile Ogden–Provo corridor.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Don’t miss…NHSRCL Signs Bullet Train Maintenance Machinery Contract