Craiova is the only city in south-eastern Europe where still locomotives are being manufactured. However this is not done by Electroputere, as you would expect, but by Softronic, a private company that has managed to establish itself in the market and produces mainly for export. It is located in in Oltenia.

Many former employees of Electroputere are working at Softronic. The company was founded by several research workers from the former plant, who had the courage to start on their own business. They started with the production of electrical and electronic equipment for locomotives. Then they expanded their work field and started to repair and modernize locomotives already in circulation.

Locomotives production at Softronic started in 2009. (..) Until now, Softronic produced 12 locomotives, nine of them being bought by companies from Germany (Railcolor: DB Schenker Rail Romania) and Hungary (railcolor: MMV). Currently, the factory is working on three other locomotives ordered by DB Schenker Rail.

Softronic locomotives are sought for their price. They costs between 2 and 2.5 million, while the producers of western Europe asking for the same vehicle over 4 million.

Railcolor: The video shows the brand new TransMontana no.005 for DB Schenker and another TransMontana body under construction. - digi24/CV/MF

video by suntpacala Softronic Trans Montana

Interesting is the history of this TransMontana concept. It is a radical modernised version of the LE5100 locomotive, better known as serie 060-AE of the Romanian railways (CFR). The first batch of these machine was built by ASEA from.. Sweden! Meaning; the TransMontana can go back to its roots...Softronic therefore states it 'closes the circle'.

background information LE5100
Ten units were delivered completely to the CFR. ASEA completed them in 1965-1967 (works numbers 1576-1585); 060-EA-001 to 009 and 060-EB-001. The last one was a prototype with regenerative braking. Electroputere Craiova from Romania made the LE5100 to a big 'success'. No less than 1080 units were built, some of them as export product for Romania, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and even China. - http://www.cfr.ro

ASEA built similar units for the Norwegian railways as serie EL15 (hence the concept name). Six units (EL15.2191-2196) were built in Norway in 1967 (works numbers 1625-1630). Electrical equipment was delivered by ASEA from Sweden. The EL15 units became property of MTAB in 1995 and are now running for Hector Rail in Sweden as serie 161.

addition by BD (28.11.2011): The former Yugoslavian JZ bought and built under license several hundred four-axle locos to the same design as the Rumanian locos. So, in total this type of locos, the four- and six-axle locos are probably the most built standard gauge electric locomotive for 25 kV 50 Hz in the world. The traction motors are interchangebly within the types. Softronic Trans Montana

Today and yesterday, the The Railway Days 2011 – or Wider Black Sea Area Railway Summit - takes place in Bucharest (RO). Part of this event is an exhibition of railway vehicles, most of them (re)built/renovated/refurbished by Romanian companies. The video gives a good impression of the various projects.

In the mean time we get some first images of this years exhibition. Interesting combination on display are the Transmontana locomotive (480 001) of Softronic, nowadays in service of the Romanian railways, and the MAV 480 002 (see also 8.32 min in the movie). The latter one will soon start homologation trials in Romania.

MAV 480 Softronic Trans Montana

Today we release an extra section about the new Softronic electrics that have been outshopped in 2008-2010. Although their construction is still based on the good old Romanian EA 060 series, the Phoenix and more recently the Trans Montana concept show us that there is room for creativity and innovation. To keep in touch with these Softronic products, it was decided to set up a section. Enjoy.

If you have additional information, or find any mistake, please let us know.

Our thanks goes out to all our visitors which helped us to gather information and contributed their pictures. The daily picture update on this front page will publish all your selected images during the next few days. Softronic Trans Montana