Press releases

PKP CARGO S.A. buys three Dragon 2 locomotives. The contract for this purchase was signed today in Nowy Sącz in the headquarters of Newag, their manufacturer.

The net value of these locomotives is nearly PLN 44 million 970 thousand, and it is roughly PLN 45.3 million when spare parts and subassemblies for quick emergency repairs are factored in. These locomotives have already been manufactured and are just waiting for their usage permit with full homologation from the Office of Rail Transport, which will be in place by yearend at the latest. Two locomotives will be painted with the colors of PKP CARGO while the other locomotive will be painted white and red in conjunction with the centennial of Poland regaining its independence.

Minister of Infrastructure Andrzej Adamczyk who participated in the contract’s signing ceremony said that he is elated with robust collaboration between two Polish companies: a rail operator and a rolling stock manufacturer. Minister Adamczyk stated: “Polish engineering and Polish engineers are engaged in the highest quality projects in the world”. He added that Polish rolling stock is outfitted with Polish control and electrical power equipment and that the top tier quality of rail car manufacturing in Poland portends that this industry will continue to develop as it innovates.

Czesław Warsewicz, CEO of PKP CARGO S.A. pointed out that investing in rolling stock is a very important part of building the strength of the overall PKP CARGO Group. “We are bolstering our leadership position on the rail freight market. In August and September we reported growth in the freight volume of our cargo while the overall market observed a decline. This shows that the strategy of enhancing the competitiveness of PKP CARGO and the level of its services while rolling out innovative solutions in rail transport is effective. This is also why we have decided to purchase Dragon 2 locomotives. They will raise the quality of our offering, improve our competitiveness and extend our transport potential”, emphasized Czesław Warsewicz, CEO.

Zbigniew Konieczek, CEO of Newag pointed out the landmark nature of the signed contract. “This is the first Polish six-axle locomotive purchased in more than 30 years by the national rail operator PKP CARGO. I am very proud that Dragon 2 locomotives number 1, 2 and 3 will go to PKP CARGO”, stated Zbigniew Konieczek.

The Dragon 2 locomotive is the only electrical six-axle locomotive holding a permit for operation in Poland. Dragon 2 is fully compliant with the Technical Interoperability Specifications and it also has a factory-built, level 2 ETCS safety system.
This locomotive has excellent traction parameters for pulling heavy cargo trains. The maximum pulling strength at start of some 410 kN enables it to pull unit trains on its own with a gross mass of more than 4 thousand tons.
Dragon 2 has been designed in a modular system. This locomotive is outfitted with a combustion module - a diesel engine with 520 kW of power enabling it to cover short trips along unelectrified lines and on rail sidings.
Moreover, Dragon 2 will be less expensive in operation than older locomotives. That is also one of the reasons why this locomotive has inbuilt converters based on silicon carbide (SiC) supporting fault-free operation at high temperatures, a reduced noise level, a 50% reduction in energy losses and a 60% reduction in the size and weight of plant and machinery.

In pursuing its ambitious rolling stock program PKP CARGO S.A. plans to purchase more locomotives. In October we published a market reconnaissance announcement to procure new four and six-axle locomotives. This market review pertains to single, double and multiple-system locomotives with and without combustion modules. Analysis of manufacturers’ proposals will show us which locomotives with which technical and traction capabilities we can purchase, thereby enabling us to prepare future tenders better.

The contract to purchase three Dragons is not an isolated example of business collaboration between PKP CARGO and Newag. In May we signed a contract for a net value of PLN 388 million to upgrade 60 SM 44 diesel locomotives to ST 48. Newag has already handed over the first rejuvenated locomotives and more locomotives will steadily bolster PKP CARGO’s rolling stock fleet.