Bombardier Transportation will supply 62 Traxx AC locomotives to Israel Railways (ISR) under a €230m ($262m) contract.
Identical to the Traxx ACs that are in service with Germany’s Deutsche Bahn, the new locomotives can run up to 160km/h.
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The locomotives feature Bombardier Mitrac TC 3300 AC traction converter and universal Mitrac drives with the latest generation of traction motors and gearboxes.
ISR will use Traxx AC in its fleet of 369 Bombardier Twindexx Vario double-deck coaches, in its efforts to electrify the country’s rail network.
The first deliveries are planned for the end of 2017, and the contract includes an option for an additional 32 locomotives.
Israel Railways CEO Boaz Tzafrir said: "The Israel Railways electrification project is advancing and becoming a reality.
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By GlobalData"The transition to electric operation, a standard practice in all advanced countries, will be a significant leap forward in every field relating to the operation of the Israel Railways and a key factor in Israel Railways’ future growth."
Traxx AC is a modular locomotive incorporating three-phase asynchronous propulsion technology on standard gauge 15kV and 25kV networks.
Currently in use by for Deutsche Bahn, SBB Cargo, BLS, CFL, MAV and others in Europe, the locomotives are designed to be compatible with Europe’s future ETCS/ERTMS train control and safety systems.
The crash-optimised car body is designed to meet EU standards (TSI) with increased protection for driving personnel and low repair costs, the company said.
