In 2018, ČD Cargo concluded a contract with Bombardier Transportation GmbH for the purchase of ten TRAXX 3MS locomotives. The contractual option allowed to increase the number of these locomotives up to a total of 50 engines. These are operated in the Czech Republic as the 388 series. In 2020, Bombardier's rail division was purchased by a French company Alstom, which assumed all obligations under the above contract.

On 20 August 2024, Tomáš Tóth, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ČD Cargo, Martin Svojanovský, Member of the Board of Directors of ČD Cargo, and Daniel Kurucz, Managing Director of Alstom Czech Republic, signed an Amendment to exercise the option for the delivery of the last 11 locomotives up to the total of 50. The locomotives, which enable operation not only in the Czech Republic but also in Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia, will be delivered in 2026 and will be equipped with Atlas and EbiCab signaling and safety equipment. The value of the option exceeds CZK 1 billion. In addition to the original contract, ČD Cargo has purchased 10 more TRAXX 3MS locomotives, which are expected to be delivered in 2025 and operated by the Austrian branch of ČD Cargo.

The renewal of the locomotive fleet is a necessary condition for expansion of the largest domestic rail freight carrier to foreign markets, especially in Germany and Austria. The share of ČD Cargo's foreign transports is steadily growing. In 2023, the carrier transported more than 12 million tonnes of goods through its branches or subsidiaries. ČD Cargo locomotives can now already be seen in seven European countries, and plans are underway to enter other markets, such as Italy and the Benelux countries.