TRANSPORT LOGISTIC: A Vectron AC electric locomotive with a battery module for last-mile power was the highlight of Siemens Mobility’s presence at the Transport logistic 2025 trade fair in München, where the company also announced a number of loco orders
The high-voltage lithium-ion battery module is intended to offer an environmentally friendly option for last mile operations and shunting in the absence of overhead electrification. An intelligent battery management system controls the charging and discharging processes.
‘This locomotive combines cutting-edge technology and sustainability’, said Steffen Bobsien, Vice-President Locomotives & Passenger Coaches at Siemens Mobility.
Widmer Rail Services company JeMyn ordered the first two Vectron locomotives with battery power modules in February, with financing arranged by Raiffeisen Schweiz. Delivery is planned for 2027, with type approval initially to be obtained for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Getting smarter
On June 2 Siemens unveiled the Smart Asset Suite digital upgrade now available for every Vectron locomotive to optimise daily operations and increase availability.
The company also presented its Railcover modular service offering, the MoBase online marketplace for spare parts, and the rail servicing hub based on Railigent X platform for predictive maintenance and fleet optimisation.
Brenner locos
A Vectron MS locomotive for Autostrada del Brennero Group’s Rail Traction Company was formally handed over at Transport Logistic. RTC has ordered four of the 160 km/h 6·4 MW locos and sister company InRail two. Intended for used on the Brenner corridor, they will be authorised for Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, and Croatia, with authorisation for Serbia to follow.
RTC CEO Martin Ausserdorfer said ‘investment in these locomotives is part of a long-term strategy for strong cross-border rail transport that overcomes infrastructure barriers between European countries. The ability to operate in multiple countries with the same locomotive is a crucial step towards the integration of the European railway space. Our particular focus is on developing rail services through the Mediterranean region and the SCAN-MED corridor, with the Brenner Base Tunnel as a strategic hub.’
Present at the handover was the Land of Bayern’s Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter, who said ‘we need to further expand the infrastructure on the cross-Alpine route. On the German side, this includes, above all, the construction of the new Brenner North Access route, which is essential for the Bayern economy and cross-border traffic.’
Vectrons for France
On June 3 Alpha Trains and Siemens Mobility celebrated the symbolic handover of the first Vectrons for France under a 70-loco framework agreed in July 2024. This includes an initial firm order for 35 locos of various types including Vectron MS locomotives and Dual Mode models.
The first deliveries are expected by the end of 2026, with approval for use in France scheduled for 2027. The locomotives will be used along the North-South corridor through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and France and eventually Luxembourg.
Alpha Trains ordered its first Vectrons in 2016, and has now taken delivery of 62 of 82 ordered. A maintenance contract signed in 2023 has been expanded to include maintenance in Belgium and France.
Rising demand in central and eastern Europe
During Transport Logistic, Polish leasing company Cargounit announced an order of 22 Vectrons to be delivered in 2025-26. This includes 12 locomotives to be delivered under an existing framework, and 10 more to be co-financed through Poland’s National Recovery & Resilience Plan.
Cargounit has so far ordered 88 Vectron MS locos and 18 of the lower cost Smartron locos
CEO Łukasz Boroń said the leasing company’s investment reflects rising demand in the intermodal and passenger sectors in central and eastern Europe. ‘Vectron MS locomotives are reliable and meet our clients’ operational expectations, while our full-service leasing model ensures maximum fleet availability’, he said. Depending on the variant, the Cargounit locos will be approved for Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria.
Firm order
Akiem announced a firm order for 10 Vectron Dual Mode electro-diesel locomotives to be delivered from Q4 2026, with an option for 40 more. The order has been placed under a August 2021 framework agreement has already seen a total of 100 locos ordered in various batches.
They will be rated at 2·4 MW under electric power and 2 MW in diesel mode, and will be able to haul freight trains at up to 160 km/h. They will be equipped for Germany and Austria, with the possibility of adding the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria.
