First Belgian TRAXXes for 200 km/h

On 19 October 2024, the new Class 17 SNCB locomotives arrived at the VUZ Velim test centre. The transport was traditionally arranged by RailAdventure, with the haulage in the Czech Republic subcontracted to DB Cargo Czechia. These are the first two examples from the framework contract signed with Alstom on 1 February 2022 for the delivery of up to 50 TRAXX3 MS locomotives, while 24 ones have been firmly ordered; deliveries are due to start in 2026.

They are the first new-built TRAXXes with a maximum speed of more than 160 km/h. These locomotives, with a top speed of 200 km/h, are intended for passenger services in Belgium but also for trains to the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany, so they are quadruple-voltage and will be equipped with both the required national ATPs (TBL1+ for Belgium, ATB for the Netherlands) and LZB/PZB for Germany) and the on-board ETCS.