OnTrain presents first Traxx Universal locomotive
OnTrain, a new Polish locomotive leasing platform backed by pan-European infrastructure investor Marguerite, has presented its first Alstom Traxx Universal multi-system electric locomotive at Żmigród — the opening move in a 40-unit fleet build targeting freight and passenger operators across eight Central and Southeast European countries.
Piotr Ignasiak, CEO of OnTrain, said the company has already completed trials on four of the five initial locomotives, confirming the Traxx platform as its foundation for competing with established European leasing operators.
The remaining 35 units are scheduled for delivery from March 2027 at three locomotives per month — with offices planned in Berlin and Prague to support commercial expansion into the company’s core markets.
Fleet and corridor structure
The 40-unit order is divided into two batches. Thirty-five locomotives will be certified for Poland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia. The remaining five cover an eastern corridor: Poland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. The first five units have been available since April 2026, offered to Nordic operators through Hankavik.
All units are equipped with Alstom’s Onvia signalling system — the onboard ETCS solution formerly known as Atlas. Alstom will carry out preventive maintenance during the warranty period.
OnTrain enters a market where Akiem, Railpool and Alpha Trains each operate several hundred locomotives. Its model targets operators facing ageing fleets, rising ETCS compliance requirements and the capital cost of ownership — reducing the barrier to fleet renewal without a direct purchase commitment.
Production and investor base
The locomotives are manufactured at Alstom’s Kassel site in Germany, with bodyshells produced at the Wrocław facility in Poland — a site that has produced more than 2,000 Traxx bodyshells.
OnTrain is backed by Marguerite, Griffin Capital Partners and WBW Invest, a Polish rail and logistics investment company.
The first unit was presented in a distinctive teal and orange livery. Subsequent deliveries will use a turquoise finish, with the final 35 units adopting OnTrain’s standard white livery.