November 19, 2025

Showing the progress of the rolling stock modernization project „Modernization of 55 electric locomotives intended for hauling passenger trains, conversion of 20 diesel hydraulic shunting locomotives into battery-powered electric locomotives and modernization of 139 passenger cars” through investments financed from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR)

CFR Călători submitted today, November 19, 2025, during the event dedicated to the implementation of the rolling stock modernization project, the progress of the investment financed both through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan – Stage 1: Transition to a green economy, Component C4 – Sustainable transport, Investment I2 – Railway rolling stock and through national public contribution, based on the financing contract no. 45/13.12.2023. The event took place at the headquarters of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, bringing together representatives of the Romanian railway industry, central public authorities and partner companies.

Through this project, CFR Călători modernizes:

  • 55 electric locomotives intended for hauling passenger trains,
  • 20 diesel hydraulic shunting locomotives, converted into battery-powered electric locomotives,
  • 139 passenger cars (1st and 2nd class cars, bar-bistro, sleeping and berth cars, cars with facilities for people with reduced mobility and dedicated spaces for bicycles and skis).

The investment plan represents an important step in the process of transforming passenger rail transport in Romania into a modern, safe and sustainable service, aligned with European standards.

 Implementation status by November 18, 2025

The rolling stock is modernized within six specialized Romanian companies, winners of public procurement procedures carried out according to the Law 99/2016:

Locomotives

  • C. Softronic S.R.L. Craiova – 19 electric locomotives, of which 10 delivered to date;
  • C. Reloc S.A. Craiova – 19 electric locomotives, of which 8 delivered to date;
  • „C.F.R. S.C.R.L.” BrașovA. – 17 electric locomotives and 20 shunting locomotives converted to plug-in battery electric locomotives; so far 1 electric locomotive and 5 shunting locomotives have been delivered.

A number of 24 locomotives have been delivered to date. By the end of 2025, the number will reach 36 units, the rest to be delivered by the end of June 2026.

Passenger cars

  • C. Electroputere – VFU S.A. Pașcani – 42 cars, of which 22 are 2nd class cars (11 completed and delivered) and 20 are 2nd class cars with PRM/bicycle/ski facilities (8 completed and delivered), respectively, 19 cars delivered;
  • C. Atelierele CFR Grivița S.A. București –57 cars, of which 10 are 1st class cars, already completed and delivered, 27 are 2nd class cars, 6 sleeping cars and 14 berth cars.
  • C. Remarul „16 Februarie” S.A. Cluj-Napoca – 40 cars, of which 30 are 1st class cars (12 completed and delivered) and 10 bar-bistro cars (1 completed and delivered) respectively, 13 cars delivered.

In total, a number of 42 modernized cars are already in the composition of CFR Călători trains. By the end of 2025, there will be 60 modernized cars, the rest to be delivered by the end of June 2026.

Thus, by the end of 2025, CFR Călători will have a total of 96 rolling stock units modernized: 27 electric locomotives, 9 battery-powered shunting locomotives and 60 passenger cars, offering safer, more comfortable and modern trains to passengers.

Trains equipped with this modernized rolling stock are already operating on important routes, such as Bucharest–Constanța, Bucharest–Brașov, Bucharest–Iași, Bucharest–Suceava, Bucharest–Galați, Bucharest–Cluj and Bucharest–Arad, offering improved comfort and safety conditions to passengers.

At the same time, to ensure efficient maintenance and reliability of the rolling stock, the project provides for:

  • construction of two modern maintenance halls in Craiova and Baia Mare,
  • equipping the Bucharest North and Brașov Depots with two digital simulators for training locomotive drivers,
  • implementing a digital platform for fleet and maintenance management, aimed at optimizing operational activity and reducing train downtime.

 Investment value

Financing contract no. 45/13.12.2023 has a total value of 2,074,489,315.81 lei, of which:

  • European funds (loan/grant): 590,268,000 lei
  • National public contribution: 1,153,000,332.86 lei + VAT 331,220,983.24 lei

Deliveries are scheduled by June 30, 2026, and completion of the entire project is scheduled by December 31, 2026.

By implementing this major project, CFR Călători undertakes a concrete step towards competitive, environmentally friendly and passenger-focused railway transport. The company reaffirms its commitment to continue investing in the modernization of rolling stock, digitalization and staff training, in order to provide safe, comfortable public transport services at European standards.

PNRR video materials are available on the CFR Călători YouTube page:

PNRR photo materials are available on www.cfrcalatori.ro on the page dedicated to it: