Press releases

2017/02/06

CAF WILL MANUFACTURE THE NEXT MAINTENANCE LOCOMOTIVES FOR RATP (FRANCE)

The public transport operator, RATP, based in Paris, or Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens, has awarded CAF a contract for the design and manufacture of dual-mode electric locomotives; i.e. they may run by drawing power through overhead wires as well as through batteries located inside the units. The framework agreement envisages the supply of 12 units with an option to acquire up to 6 additional locomotives and an approximate contract value of € 65 million.

RATP is the public transport operator which manages Metro Paris network; city and intercity transport in Paris and the greater Paris metropolitan area; as well as regional lines (RER). In particular, the units will be used to tow trains providing maintenance for the regional railway network infrastructure operated by RATP.

These locomotives are expected to be manufactured from mid 2018 at CAF's plant located in Bagnères de Bigorre (France) and the first unit is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2019.

These shunting locomotives with a power range of 1000 kW, are equipped with nickel-cadmium batteries which enable them to carry out completely autonomous maintenance activities. This technology was implemented in units of this type for the first time in the world. Likewise, it is worth highlighting that the replacement of conventional diesel engines will yield a major environmental improvement, as pollutant emissions are eliminated and noise during operation is significantly reduced.

Thanks to this breakthrough, CAF maintains a strong commitment to innovative products in the locomotive market; the company is already present in the national market with Bitrac locomotives, as well as high-speed diesel-electric traction locomotives in operation in Saudi Arabia.

This contract is part of CAF's strategy to find new business avenues with the aim of multiplying its presence in the global railway infrastructure market, both in terms of design, integration and installation as well as operation and maintenance. Furthermore, this means the consolidation of CAF's presence in France, where the company has carried out many projects in recent years, including but not limited to: the supply of tramways for Nantes, Besançon and St.Etienne cities, as well as the rehabilitation of Lyon metro train fleet.