Electroputere VFU Pașcani, a company member of GRAMPET Group, has completed the major R9 overhaul of the 45th Siemens Desiro SR20D railcar, known as the 'Blue Arrow'. AM 2108 successfully passed the mileage test and was reintroduced to public railway transport services this week on the Bucharest Nord – Henri Coandă Airport route, providing passenger transport between Gara de Nord and Romania's main airport. [1]

During a period where mobility and time spent in traffic are increasingly important concerns for all of us, efficient railway connections have become essential. Every railcar that benefits from major repairs at our factory in Pașcani and returns to circulation means not only additional transport capacity but also a new opportunity to offer travelers better travel conditions. If we want to bring people back onto trains and make rail transport an attractive option, we must continuously invest in the modernization and maintenance of rolling stock, in increasing its reliability, and in improving the conditions offered to passengers. Gruia Stoica, founder and Chairman of GRAMPET Group. [1]

The major R9 overhaul of Siemens Desiro SR20D railcars is a complex process aimed at restoring their technical parameters and extending their service life by another 12 years. At Electroputere VFU Pașcani, all of their subassemblies are disassembled and inspected, repaired, or replaced, including axles and bogies. The air conditioning, heating, and electrical supply systems, access doors, and windows, seats and folding seats, braking and fuel systems, as well as the railcar body, are repaired. All these interventions contribute to increased safety and operational reliability, to functional efficiency, and to improving the comfort conditions offered to travelers. [1]

The 45th 'Blue Arrow' returns to service in a context where mobility towards Henri Coandă Airport is becoming increasingly important. In addition to the usual congestion recorded on DN1, one of the most traveled road arteries in the country, the construction work for Metro Line 6 is temporarily generating additional pressure on traffic in the northern area of the Capital. Faced with these challenges, rail transport represents an efficient alternative for passengers who desire predictable travel times and a direct connection to the airport. [1]

The presence of railcar AM 2108 on the Bucharest Nord – Henri Coandă Airport route supports the development of integrated mobility, in which different modes of transport complement each other. Efficient connections between rail transport, air transport, and urban transport networks are essential for smoothing travel flows and building a mobility system adapted to the current needs of travelers. By modernizing and returning rolling stock to circulation, Electroputere VFU Pașcani contributes to strengthening these links, bringing people closer to their destinations. [1]

As the story develops

Update

The 45th 'Blue Arrow', refurbished at Electroputere Pașcani, has returned to the route towards Henri Coandă Airport.

Electroputere VFU Pașcani, a company within GRAMPET Group, has completed the major R9 overhaul of the 45th Siemens Desiro SR20D railcar, known as the 'Blue Arrow'. Unit AM 2108 successfully passed the mileage test and was reintroduced to public service on the Bucharest Nord – Henri Coandă Airport route this week. [2]

The R9 revision is a complex process that restores the technical parameters of the railcars and extends their service life by another 12 years. At the workshop in Pașcani, all subassemblies, including axles, bogies, air conditioning systems, heating, electrical supply, doors, windows, seats, braking systems, fuel, and the body are disassembled, inspected, repaired, or replaced. These interventions increase safety, reliability, and travel comfort. [2]

In the context of congestion on DN1 and the works for Metro Line 6, which create additional pressure on routes towards Henri Coandă Airport, 'Blue Arrow' No. 45 offers an efficient railway alternative for predictable travel. The presence of the railcar supports integrated mobility and efficient connectivity between rail, air, and urban transport, strengthening links towards passenger destinations. [2]

Update

Electroputere VFU Pașcani: 'Blue Arrow' No. 45 has returned to service on the route towards Henri Coandă Airport.

Electroputere VFU Pașcani, a company member of GRAMPET Group, has completed the major R9 overhaul of the 45th Siemens Desiro SR20D railcar, known as the 'Blue Arrow'. Unit AM 2108 successfully passed the mileage test and was reintroduced to public rail transport service this week on the Bucharest Nord – Henri Coandă Airport route. [3]

During a period where mobility and time spent in traffic are increasingly important concerns for all of us, efficient railway connections have become essential. Every railcar that benefits from major repairs at our factory in Pașcani and returns to circulation means not only additional transport capacity but also a new opportunity to offer travelers better travel conditions. If we want to bring people back onto trains and make rail transport an attractive option, we must continuously invest in the modernization and maintenance of rolling stock, in increasing its reliability, and in improving the conditions offered to passengers, stated Gruia Stoica, founder and Chairman of GRAMPET Group. [3]

Update

GRAMPET Group: Investments in rail infrastructure and passenger comfort

Grampet Group informed that Gruia Stoica, founder and chairman, emphasized the importance of investing in the modernization and maintenance of rolling stock, as well as increasing reliability and conditions for passengers. These interventions also target air conditioning installations, heating, electrical supply, doors, windows, seats, braking systems, fuel, and the body, contributing to safety, efficiency, and comfort. The bus also has a tradition of over 156 years in the rail industry. Grampet Group has invested over 30 million euros in the plant to integrate new technologies and train personnel. [4]

Update

Railcar 'Blue Arrow' No. 45 has returned to service on the route to the Airport.

The Siemens Desiro SR20D railcar 'Blue Arrow' No. 45 (AM 2108), owned by GRAMPET Group, has entered service on the Bucharest Nord – Henri Coandă Airport route following the completion of the major overhaul at Electroputere VFU Pașcani on Thursday, November 5, 2026. [5]

Electroputere VFU Pașcani carried out the R9 major overhaul, a complex process involving the disassembly and repair of all subassemblies, including axles, bogies, climate and electrical installations, as well as the body. The interventions aim to restore technical parameters and extend the service life of the railcar by another 12 years. [5]

Gruia Stoica, founder of GRAMPET Group, highlighted the need for continuous investments in the modernization and maintenance of rolling stock to bring passengers back onto trains and increase the reliability of rail transport. [5]

The reintroduction of the railcar into circuit in the context of congestion on DN1 and the works for Metro Line 6, which generate additional pressure in the north of Bucharest. The railway route offers an efficient alternative and predictable travel time to the airport. [5]

The presence of AM 2108 supports the development of integrated mobility, efficiently connecting rail, air, and urban transport to smooth travel flows and respond to the current needs of travelers. [5]

The company has a history of over 27 years on the local and European market, being the largest rail group and private logistics operator in Central and South-Eastern Europe. GRAMPET owns CFR Marfă, the largest freight rail transport operator, and operates 450 locomotives and 20,000 wagons. [5]

The 'Blue Arrow' (Siemens Desiro) railcar was initially launched in Romania on January 30, 2003, with the inaugural journey taking place on the Bucharest – Pitești – Craiova route. [5]

The GRAMPET Group consistently invests in integrating new technologies and training personnel, having plants in Romania and Hungary for the construction, repair, and modernization of rail vehicles. [5]

GRAMPET Group conducts business in Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia, Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Greece, Slovenia, and Macedonia, offering integrated solutions for freight transport and logistics. [5]

In addition to freight transport (over 15 million tons annually), the group owns 5 logistics terminals at the borders with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, as well as in northern Bucharest. [5]

Grampet Group has invested over 30 million euros in the Pașcani plant for the integration of new technologies and staff training. [5]

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Sources

  1. Economistul Cea de-a 45-a „Săgeată Albastră” revizuită capital la Electroputere VFU Pașcani a revenit în exploatare pe ruta București Nord – Aeroport Henri Coandă
  2. Financial Intelligence Cea de-a 45-a „Săgeată Albastră” revizuită capital la Electroputere VFU Pașcani a revenit în exploatare pe ruta București Nord – Aeroport Henri Coandă
  3. AGERPRES O 'Săgeată Albastră' a fost reintrodusă în circulație pe ruta Gara de Nord - Aeroportul Henri Coandă
  4. observatornews.ro O "Sageată Albastră" a revenit în circulaţie, pe ruta București Nord - Aeroportul Henri Coandă
  5. News.ro „Săgeata Albastră”, pe ruta Bucureşti Nord – Aeroport Henri Coandă/Automotorul a revenit în exploatare, după o revizie capitală