The PKP Intercity fleet has received 9 Griffin locomotives capable of reaching speeds of 200 km/h. The vehicles were manufactured by NEWAG, as part of an order covering a total of 15 machines of this type. The value of the entire contract for the delivery and maintenance of the vehicles is nearly PLN 388 million gross (EUR 90 million).
One of the newly received Griffins has already been implemented into the timetable and is running PKP Intercity trains. On the remaining 8 units, training is currently being conducted for the carrier’s employees, including drivers. After their completion, the locomotives will be systematically introduced into passenger traffic. Production of another 6 vehicles is underway. 2 vehicles are planned to be collected each month, so that by the end of this year all ordered locomotives will be in the PKP Intercity rolling stock park.
Multi-system locomotives
The latest vehicles are capable of reaching speeds of 200 km/h, which enables efficient use of modernized railway routes. Due to the fact that the locomotives are multi-system, they can run on railway lines powered by different voltages that occur on international routes. In addition to our country, where they are already approved for operation, the units will also be approved for operation in five other countries.
First, the manufacturer will ensure that the Griffins can move on the railway network in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and then in Germany, Austria and Hungary. Documentation approving the Griffins for operation in all of the above countries is to be delivered in October 2026.
In Poland, the Griffins will run on the most popular routes, i.e. between Warsaw and Gdynia, Poznań, Wrocław, Katowice and Kraków. After receiving permits to travel on international networks, the new locomotives will also go to Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Berlin.
All locomotives are equipped with the European ETCS level 2 train control system, which significantly increases safety standards on the tracks. The vehicles also have a remote diagnostics system, which allows monitoring the operation of locomotives in real time, which translates into their more efficient operation.
Even more new Griffin locomotives
In addition to the current contract, NEWAG will also supply PKP Intercity with 63 new, multi-system locomotives (with an option to order another 32) and provide maintenance services for them. This is the first such large order for a single series of vehicles in the history of both PKP Intercity and this manufacturer, worth almost PLN 2.3 billion gross (EUR 540 million).
Orders for 20 and 46 single-system electric locomotives of the EU160 Griffin series are also underway.
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