Repowering is a process that is typically applied to propulsion systems and involves the upgrade or replacement of obsolete components to improve their efficiency, reliability and sustainability. This process typically aims to improve fuel consumption, extend the life of the entire system, improve its overall performance and keeps operating costs low.

With over 20 years of experience in the railway industry, Avantgarde has developed a deep understanding of the challenges related to locomotive obsolescence and performance limits. Our Locomotive Rehabilitation & Repowering program offers a modern and effective solution to upgrade existing diesel-electric locomotives, enhancing their performance, reliability, energy efficiency, and safety. This approach helps overcome capacity constraints caused by outdated systems and the growing scarcity of spare parts, offering new life to existing assets.

Our repowering concept is based on the integration of a PowerPACK — a modular hybrid power unit installed in a container — specifically engineered to fit existing locomotive structures and comply with railway gauge constraints. The PowerPACK includes all the main components of a hybrid traction system and allows us to convert diesel locomotives into hybrid or battery-electric ones without requiring radical structural changes. Assembly and installation are handled in-house to guarantee quality, control, and fast delivery.

The PowerPACK is composed of combustion engines, electric motors batteries, electronic cabinets, and a cooling system, all managed by an advanced Train Control System. Thanks to its modular design, the system can be configured based on the power needs of each locomotive, from 500HP to 3,000HP. This flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of operational contexts.

Avantgarde combines off-the-shelf components with proprietary innovations, ensuring high performance, cost-effectiveness, and easy maintenance over time. The container-based setup also simplifies transport and installation, reducing downtime and costs.

As the railway sector transitions to cleaner energy, our solutions support a range of sustainable technologies, including hybrid systems, battery-electric traction, biofuels, and hydrogen included. Each option is evaluated with a long-term perspective, taking into account both capital and operational costs over a typical 20-year lifespan.

Our hybrid PowerPACK stands out as an immediate and scalable solution: it’s compatible with current infrastructure and requires no charging systems, making it an ideal step toward decarbonization.