On Wednesday, Alstom unveiled the Prima II locomotive prototype. It will be transferred from France to Germany this month for a series of running trials. The locomotive will then move into the certification phase and is scheduled to be commissioned in 2011.
The new Prima II locomotive can operate on different national rail networks and offers operators the possibility of adjusting its configuration. The Prima II design has focused on ease of use and maintenance by public and private operators.
Equipped with the latest developments in power electronics (IGBT inverter) the locomotive can operate on four different voltages (25kV, 15 kV, 1,500 V and 3,000 V), enabling it to easily cross borders in Europe. Driving ergonomics are also optimized to meet the future UIC612 standard, which aims to standardize drivers’ desks for improved operability.