Rolling stock of the Romanian Railways

The rolling stock of the Romanian Railways (Căile Ferate Române – CFR) comprises the locomotives, multiple units, passenger coaches, and freight wagons used on the standard-gauge railway network in Romania (1,435 mm). Following the restructuring of the former state monopoly CFR into separate entities (CFR Călători for passenger services, CFR Marfă for freight, and private operators), ownership and operation of rolling stock are divided among the state-owned companies and numerous private railway undertakings.

Locomotives

• Electric Locomotives: The backbone of mainline electric traction.

  • Class 40 (EA): Licensed-built ASEA/Skoda/Electroputere Co-Co locomotives (1965–1991), widely used for both passenger and freight. Subclasses include 40 (standard), 41 (higher speed passenger), 42 (freight gear ratio), and modernized 40/41/42 variants.
  • Class 43 (EC): Electroputere/ASEA Bo-Bo locomotives (1973–1984), primarily for passenger services.
  • Class 44 (ED): Electroputere/Skoda Co-Co heavy freight locomotives (1975–1984).
  • Class 45 (EF): Electroputere Bo-Bo universal locomotives (1977–1987).
  • Class 46 (EG): Softronic/Transmontana modernized Co-Co heavy freight (rebuilds of Class 44).
  • Class 47 (EH): Softronic modernized Bo-Bo passenger/universal (rebuilds of Class 43/45).
  • Softronic "EuroSprinter" / Class 48: New-build Siemens Vectron multisystem locomotives acquired by CFR Călători and private operators (e.g., Transferoviar Grup, Unifertrans) since the 2010s.
  • Other Modern Electric: Siemens Vectron (Class 482/483), Bombardier TRAXX (operated by private companies like Astra Rail, DB Cargo Romania).

• Diesel Locomotives: Used on non-electrified lines and for shunting.

  • Class 60 (DH): Electroputere/Craiva/MaK Co-Co mainline (1960s–1970s).
  • Class 62 (DK): Electroputere/MaK Co-Co mainline (1970s–1980s), extensively modernized (Class 62/63/65/66/67/68) with Caterpillar, MTU, or Sulzer engines by Remarul 16 Februarie, Softronic, or Astra Rail.
  • Class 63/65/66/67/68: Modernized variants of Class 60/62 with updated prime movers, traction alternators, and microprocessor control.
  • Class 80/81/82/83/84/85/86/87/88/89 (LD/LC/LB): Various shunting classes (0-6-0, 0-8-0), including Romanian-built (Malaxa, FAUR, Electroputere) and imported (ČKD, Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej works). Many remain in service for industrial and station shunting.
  • Modern Diesel: Vossloh Euro 4000 (Class 69), Stadler Euro 9000 (electro-diesel), and various shunting locomotives (e.g., Class 88, 89 modernized by Remarul or Astra Rail).

Multiple Units

• Electric Multiple Units (EMU):
  • Class 96 (EA/EC): Invensys/Alstom/Siemens/Bombardier/CAF "Coradia" / "X'Trapolis" / "Desiro" / "Talent" / "Flirt" types acquired since the 2000s for regional and interregional service. Includes Class 96 (Desiro Classic), Class 96 (Desiro Mainline), Class 78 (Flirt), Class 97 (Talent 2 - canceled/returned), and CAF Civity.
  • Class 58 (EB): Older Romanian-built EMUs (IPB/ITC/ICM) largely withdrawn.
• Diesel Multiple Units (DMU):
  • Class 77/78/79/97/98: Various classes including Malaxa/FAUR built (Class 77, 78 - mostly retired), modernized FAUR/Remarul units, and new builds like Stadler RS1 (Class 97) and Pesa Link (Class 98) operated by CFR Călători and private operators (Transferoviar Grup, Regio Călători, Astra Trans Carpatic).
• Hybrid/Battery: Trials and procurement of battery-electric multiple units (BEMU) are underway (e.g., Stadler FLIRT Akku) for non-electrified regional lines.

Passenger Coaches

• Classic Fleet: Large fleet of 26.4m UIC-Y / UIC-Z / Bcm / Bdm / Bbdm coaches built 1970s–1990s by Astra Arad (Romania), Görlitz (East Germany), and Hans Waggonbau (Austria). Many have undergone modernization (air conditioning, closed-system toilets, wheelchair access, new interiors) by Remarul 16 Februarie, Astra Rail, or CFR workshops.
• Modern Fleet: Push-pull sets (Driving Trailers + Modernized Coaches + Locomotive) for "InterRegio" and "Regio" services. New double-deck coaches (DDM) have been considered/procured in limited numbers.
• Sleeping/Couchette Cars: UIC-Z and modernized WLABmee / WLAmmee types for night trains (InterCity Night, EuroNight).

Freight Wagons

• Standard Gauge Fleet: Predominantly UIC standard types.
  • Open Wagons: Class E (Ea, Eos, Eanos) for coal, ore, aggregates.
  • Covered Wagons: Class G (Gbs, Gbs-w) – largely phased out in favor of open/hopper wagons.
  • Flat Wagons: Class K, R, S (Ks, Rs, Ss, Sgns) for containers, timber, steel, heavy machinery.
  • Tank Wagons: Class Z (Zacns, Zacns-w) for petroleum, chemicals.
  • Hopper Wagons: Class F (Fcs, Fals) for ballast, grain, cement.
  • Special Wagons: Car carriers (Class Laaes), refrigerated (Class I), powder wagons (Class U).
• Ownership: Significant shift from CFR Marfă ownership to private wagon lessors (e.g., Axiom Rail, Ermewa, VTG, Rail Cargo Carrier, private Romanian lessors) and private freight operators (DB Cargo Romania, GFR, Unifertrans, Transferoviar Grup, Astra Rail, Servtrans).

Maintenance and Modernization

Heavy maintenance, periodic repairs (IR, IRL, IRM), and modernization programs are conducted at main workshops:

• Remarul 16 Februarie (Cluj-Napoca) – Major modernization hub for locomotives and passenger coaches.
• Astra Rail Industries (Arad) – Manufacturing and modernization of freight wagons, passenger coaches, locomotives.
• Softronic (Craiova) – Locomotive modernization (Class 46, 47, 65, 66, 67, 68) and new builds.
• CFR Workshops (Bucharest Grivița, Brașov, Iași, Timișoara, etc.) – Routine maintenance and repairs.

Current Trends The fleet is characterized by a high average age for the classic locomotive and coach fleet, offset by significant procurement of new EMUs/DMUs (Stadler, Pesa, CAF, Siemens) and modern electric locomotives (Vectron, TRAXX) since the late 2010s, largely funded through EU structural funds and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). Freight rolling stock is increasingly owned by private lessors rather than the state carrier.