Newag
Polish manufacturer, moderniser, and maintainer of railway rolling stock.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Newag S.A. is a Polish railway rolling-stock company headquartered in Nowy Sącz. Its activities cover the design, manufacture, modernisation, repair, and maintenance of railway vehicles. The company supplies electric multiple units, diesel multiple units, electric and diesel-electric locomotives, trams, and related rolling-stock services. Its principal product families include the Impuls electric multiple-unit platform, the Griffin locomotive family, and the Dragon heavy freight locomotive family. Newag has also developed the Nevelo low-floor tram and the Vulcano diesel multiple unit for the Italian market. Some of its vehicles can be equipped with last-mile diesel capability, allowing electric locomotives to operate over non-electrified sidings or terminal sections. The business traces its institutional heritage to railway workshops opened in Nowy Sącz in 1876 under the Austro-Hungarian administration. Those workshops initially supported the Tarnów–Leluchów railway and later became part of the Polish State Railways maintenance system. During the interwar period, the facility operated as a major railway workshop and employed approximately 1,800 people by 1922. After the Second World War, it was nationalised and became a separate state enterprise focused on repairing and servicing railway rolling stock. Its workforce reached about 3,500 in 1952, and the plant continued to maintain steam locomotives until the last such vehicle, a TKt48, was serviced there in 1972. Following Poland's transition away from the communist economic system, the workshop was reorganised as a State Treasury joint-stock company. Financial difficulties around 2001 preceded the acquisition of its shares by a private domestic investor in 2003. The Newag name was adopted in 2005. The company expanded through the acquisition of ZNTK Gliwice in 2008 and subsequently developed from a repair-oriented enterprise into an integrated rolling-stock manufacturer and service provider. Newag's manufacturing profile broadened significantly in the 2000s and 2010s. It produced several electric multiple-unit types, including the 14WE, 19WE, and 35WE families. The Impuls platform became an important product line for urban, suburban, and regional passenger services. In 2013, a 31WE Impuls train reached 211.6 kilometres per hour on Poland's Central Rail Line, establishing a national speed record for a train designed and manufactured entirely in Poland. Newag has also participated in international industrial cooperation, including a consortium with Siemens Mobility for the final assembly of Inspiro metro trains for the Warsaw and Sofia metro systems. The company joined the Warsaw Stock Exchange in December 2013, when 43.47% of its shares were sold in the public offering. Its industrial facilities include a 245-metre electrified test track capable of supplying the four principal railway electrification systems used in Europe: 1.5 kV direct current, 3 kV direct current, 15 kV at 16.7 Hz alternating current, and 25 kV at 50 Hz alternating current. This supports testing and commissioning for vehicles intended for different national rail networks. Newag became the subject of major public controversy in 2023 after the Dragon Sector security-research group reported software features in 45WE Impuls trains that could prevent operation after vehicles spent time at independent maintenance facilities or received parts with unapproved serial numbers. Newag denied intentionally disabling the trains and attributed the failures to alleged malpractice by an outside service company. The dispute prompted investigations, parliamentary hearings, and civil litigation. Despite the controversy, Newag has continued to pursue production and maintenance contracts. In May 2024, it secured a reported PLN 2.7 billion contract with PKP Intercity for 35 hybrid, dual-mode multiple units.
History
Newag's origins lie in railway workshops established in Nowy Sącz in 1876, when the city was within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The workshops were created to serve the Tarnów–Leluchów railway line and became an important regional maintenance facility. After the First World War and the creation of the Second Polish Republic, the site was reorganised for Polish State Railways. It operated as a major workshop and employed roughly 1,800 people in 1922. In communist Poland, the facility was nationalised and separated into a state-owned enterprise responsible for railway rolling-stock repairs. It was known as ZNTK Nowy Sącz and had a workforce of approximately 3,500 in 1952. The plant maintained locomotives and other railway vehicles, including steam locomotives; its last steam locomotive repair was completed in 1972. Its long-term role was therefore initially closer to railway maintenance and repair than to the manufacture of complete modern trains. Poland's economic transformation after 1989 changed the company's legal and commercial structure. ZNTK Nowy Sącz became a State Treasury joint-stock company, while the Polish state remained its sole shareholder for a period. Financial problems around 2001 preceded the purchase of the shares by a private domestic investor in 2003. The current Newag name was adopted in 2005. In 2008, Newag acquired ZNTK Gliwice, expanding and integrating its industrial capabilities. During the 2000s and 2010s, Newag moved toward complete-vehicle engineering and production. The company developed electric multiple units such as the 14WE, 19WE, and 35WE, along with the Impuls family. It also entered tram and diesel multiple-unit development through projects including the Nevelo tram and Vulcano train. Its locomotive portfolio developed around the Griffin four-axle platform for passenger and lighter freight duties and the Dragon six-axle platform for high-power freight operations. Vehicles could be configured with last-mile diesel equipment to extend their usefulness beyond electrified routes. Newag also worked with larger international manufacturers. In cooperation with Siemens Mobility, it participated in the final assembly of Inspiro metro trains for the Warsaw and Sofia metro systems. The company established a 245-metre electrified test track at its facilities, with power systems covering 1.5 kV and 3 kV direct current as well as 15 kV 16.7 Hz and 25 kV 50 Hz alternating current. This infrastructure supports testing for multiple European railway environments. A notable technical milestone came in 2013, when a 31WE Impuls reached 211.6 kilometres per hour on Poland's Central Rail Line. The run was described as a national record for a train designed and manufactured entirely in Poland. In December of the same year, Newag debuted on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, with 43.47% of the company's shares sold in the offering. The company's recent history has included both commercial expansion and a serious software controversy. In 2023, the Dragon Sector white-hat research group reported that embedded systems in 45WE Impuls trains contained conditions capable of locking trains after they had spent time at independent repair facilities or after installation of parts with certain serial numbers. The group worked with Polish rail-safety and cybersecurity bodies and reported unlocking affected trains. Newag rejected the claim that it had intentionally sabotaged vehicles, argued that the problems were associated with an outside maintenance contractor, and questioned whether the researchers had established authorship of the software. The affair resulted in prosecutor involvement, parliamentary hearings, and lawsuits. In 2024, Newag nevertheless obtained a major PKP Intercity order for 35 hybrid dual-mode multiple units, demonstrating the continuing importance of its manufacturing business.
- 2024
PKP Intercity hybrid-train contract
[1]Newag secured a reported PLN 2.7 billion order for 35 hybrid dual-mode multiple units.
- 2023
Train-software allegations become public
[1]Dragon Sector disclosed alleged software restrictions affecting Newag 45WE Impuls trains.
- 2013
Impuls speed record
[1]A 31WE Impuls reached 211.6 km/h on the Central Rail Line.
- 2013
Warsaw Stock Exchange debut
[1]Newag listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange after an offering in which 43.47% of its shares were sold.
- 2012
First 35WE Impuls produced
[1]Newag produced the first electric multiple unit in the 35WE series, part of the Impuls family.
- 2008
ZNTK Gliwice acquired
[1]Newag acquired ZNTK Gliwice and integrated its operations into the wider group.
- 2005
Newag name adopted
[1]The company adopted the Newag name used by the present business.
- 2003
Private ownership begins
[1]Following financial difficulties, the company's shares were acquired by a private domestic investor.
- 1972
Last steam locomotive serviced
[1]The facility completed maintenance of its last steam locomotive, a TKt48.
- 1952
Postwar state enterprise expands
[1]The nationalised ZNTK Nowy Sącz repair enterprise employed about 3,500 workers.
Products and positioning
Integrated Polish rolling-stock manufacturer and railway-services provider serving passenger, freight, urban-transit, and maintenance markets.
Electric multiple unit · 2012
Impuls
Impuls is Newag's family of electric multiple units for urban, suburban, and regional passenger services. The family includes the 35WE and 45WE platforms and has been supplied to several Polish railway operators. The trains are modular passenger units designed for different service requirements and electrification environments. A 31WE Impuls reached 211.6 km/h in a 2013 test, a notable milestone for Polish train engineering.
Electric and diesel-electric locomotive
Griffin
Griffin is a four-axle locomotive family designed for express passenger services and light-to-medium freight work. Configurations include electric and diesel-electric variants, and the platform can be equipped with last-mile diesel capability. Its intended role is flexible operation across passenger and freight assignments, including movement over short non-electrified sections.
Heavy freight locomotive
Dragon
Dragon is a six-axle, high-power locomotive family developed primarily for heavy freight service. Electric and diesel-electric configurations are associated with the platform, with optional last-mile equipment available for certain applications. The family represents Newag's move beyond repair and modernisation into the manufacture of high-power locomotives for demanding freight operations.
Tram
Nevelo
Nevelo is a three-section, low-floor tram prototype developed by Newag. The vehicle entered service in Kraków and represents the company's participation in the urban rail and tram market alongside its mainline railway products.
Diesel multiple unit
Vulcano
Vulcano is Newag's diesel multiple-unit platform. It has been used in Italy and is intended for passenger operations on routes without continuous electric traction. The platform broadens Newag's passenger portfolio beyond electric multiple units and supports international sales.
Metro train
Siemens Inspiro final assembly
Newag participated in a consortium with Siemens Mobility for final assembly of Inspiro metro trains destined for the Warsaw and Sofia metro systems. This was an industrial cooperation program rather than a Newag-designed product family.
Controversies
2023
Alleged software sabotage of Impuls trains
Dragon Sector researchers reported that software in Newag 45WE Impuls electric multiple units could create operational lockouts when GPS data indicated that trains had spent time at independent repair facilities or when certain replacement parts were used. The investigation involved the Polish Office of Rail Transport and CERT Polska and identified affected vehicles among several operators. Newag denied intentionally disabling the trains and alleged that an outside service contractor was responsible for the dispute. The matter led to criminal-investigation activity, parliamentary hearings, and subsequent civil litigation.
Brand decisions
2024
Supply 35 hybrid dual-mode multiple units to PKP IntercityProduct launchBackground
PKP Intercity sought to diversify its rolling-stock fleet with trains capable of operating under more than one traction mode.
Action taken
Newag secured a contract to deliver 35 hybrid dual-mode multiple units.
Aftermath
The order reinforced Newag's role as a major Polish supplier of passenger rolling stock.
Contract value. PLN 2.7 billion (May 2024)
2013
List on the Warsaw Stock ExchangeStrategyBackground
Newag sought access to public capital and greater visibility as a growing rolling-stock manufacturer.
Action taken
The company debuted on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, with 43.47% of its shares sold in the offering.
Aftermath
Newag became a publicly traded Polish railway-equipment company.
Shares sold in offering. 43.47% (December 2013)
2012
Introduce the 35WE Impuls electric multiple unitProduct launchBackground
Newag was broadening its business from traditional repair and modernisation toward production of complete passenger trains.
Action taken
The company produced the first 35WE train in the Impuls family.
Aftermath
Impuls became one of Newag's principal electric multiple-unit platforms for urban, suburban, and regional service.
2008
Acquire ZNTK GliwiceM&ABackground
Newag sought to expand its industrial base and consolidate railway rolling-stock capabilities.
Action taken
Newag acquired ZNTK Gliwice and integrated its activities into the broader company.
Aftermath
The acquisition strengthened Newag's position as a wider rolling-stock manufacturing and maintenance group.
2005
Adopt the Newag corporate nameStrategyBackground
The former railway repair enterprise had been reorganised after Poland's post-1989 economic transition and a change in private ownership.
Action taken
The company adopted the Newag name as it developed beyond its historical workshop identity.
Aftermath
The business continued expanding into complete rolling-stock production, modernisation, and international industrial cooperation.
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