Modernizing railway transport is a direction we strongly believe in. Today, we are pleased to announce another important step in this endeavor: we have delivered the fifth and sixth modernized locomotives under the contract carried out through the PNRR. These two units are leaving the Craiova factory ready for performance and loaded with symbolism, being customized with images of emblematic personalities: King Carol I and Simion Mehedinți.

Putting the future on track

With this project, our goal was not just to upgrade old locomotives but to bring them up to a standard comparable to new units. Modernization means a complete overhaul: rebuilt traction systems, next-generation electronic control, improved energy efficiency, upgraded braking systems, connectivity, and digital diagnostics. Each locomotive modernized by Softronic is ready for decades of operation in a rail system that is changing year by year.

This is an effort where we combine technical expertise with the desire to contribute concretely to the transformation of Romania’s railway infrastructure.

A journey between the values of the past and the locomotives of the future

In an initiative that blends technology with respect for national heritage, the two locomotives are wrapped with images of notable historical figures: King Carol I and Simion Mehedinți.

The locomotive wrapped with King Carol I pays tribute to the founder of modern Romania, under whose reign a true infrastructure revolution began. Carol I understood early on the importance of the railway network for the country’s economic and strategic development. The first major railway lines, including those connecting the capital to the port of Constanța or the western borders, were built under his leadership. Thus, his symbolic presence on a modernized locomotive represents historical continuity – a bridge between the past and the future of rail mobility.

On the other locomotive, we see the presence of Simion Mehedinți, a learned geographer and educator, considered the father of Romanian geography. Through his works and ideas, Mehedinți contributed decisively to the understanding of Romanian territory and the role of transportation in national cohesion.

What do the modernizations of the two locomotives specifically involve?

Through these upgrades, the locomotive becomes a high-performance, reliable, and sustainable piece of equipment:

  • Extended lifespan by 15–20 years;
  • Reduced energy consumption through modern traction and regenerative braking systems;
  • Digital interfaces and integrated diagnostic systems;
  • Increased reliability, with reduced maintenance costs;
  • Reduced environmental impact, aligned with European decarbonization goals.

Softronic and our commitment

We are a 100% Romanian company, with over 25 years of experience in the production and modernization of rolling stock. We operate on tracks both in Romania and beyond its borders. We have delivered locomotives to countries such as Sweden, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Serbia. Every project, regardless of destination, has helped us grow.

PNRR – the engine of railway transformation

PNRR funding has offered Romania the chance to close gaps in the transport sector. Beyond the purchase of new rolling stock and modernization efforts, it also targets line rehabilitations, investments in digitization, implementation of modern traffic control systems, and the reconstruction of key railway nodes.

In this context, the delivery of the two locomotives by Softronic is a piece of a larger puzzle meant to redefine how Romanians travel and how goods are transported.

Conclusion

The delivery of the two modernized locomotives – with King Carol I and Simion Mehedinți as visual symbols – sends a strong message about how Romania can combine its past with its future. Through technology, vision, and respect for national values, we contribute to redefining railway transport, helping bring the rail industry closer to European standards and to the ideal of sustainable mobility.

In a world where everything moves fast, we are proud to know that on Romania’s tracks run not only modern locomotives, but also ideas, values, and a clear direction toward the future.