The shiny black locomotive replaces the GVG 109 series locomotive (GVG 109-3 to be more precise) that is still in Neustrelitz (DE) for a major overhaul. - SC MRCE ES64F4

Today it was returned to MRCE, without the green FN Cargo vinyls. The 093 was the last one to sport this livery, that also goes back to 2005. It had a R1 overhaul last year, but it kept its original livery, including the green stickers. Also ES 64 F4-088 and -099 had this livery, but these two have been repainted in black in the meantime.

Interesting fact is the mileage of the locomotive: up until 18.04.2013, it completed an impressive 1.600.000 km. - GR MRCE ES64F4

Images of the even can be found here. Pictures of the transport here.

There are ten locomotives, number series ES 64 F4-450 to 459, originally delivered with the VP package, meaning they could only run in Poland. However, in 2012 MRCE decided to retrofit these machines with the additional equipment for Germany, Austria and Romania, meaning they now have the VH-package.

Although more VH-configured locomotives of this type are running in Germany, this does not mean the MRCE ES 64 F4-45x are automatically approved for this country. Since the retrofitting in 2012, that took place in Wegberg-Wildenrath, many of the MRCE machines were parked in the depot of Nordhausen, waiting for things to come. Until today. - DSO/KAR/CK MRCE ES64F4

In March Husa will start cacao transport from Amsterdam to Berlin-Moabit. Source. MRCE ES64F4

MRCE ES64F4

EuroSprinter for sale! (black vs. white)
For anyone still interested: Siemens still has three 189 series locomotives for sale: E 189 845, 822 and 823. All three were present during the day, parked next to a black one: ES 64 F4-995.

PCW Thunderbirds are go!

In Wegberg, Siemens has several locomotives used for shunting. The have PCW numbers. PCW 6 is a red Vossloh G800BB, PCW 7 is the EuroRunner and the EuroSprinter godfather is now PCW 8. The question however still remains, will PCW 8 ever run again? For two years now, the machine is parked in Wegberg, have some sort of damage... PCW 7 presented itself in two different sizes. However, the model was a silver scale locomotive, with small inkjet-printed paper logos and graphics.

Everybody Vectron!

A long waiting queue was there all day. Everybody wanted to climb into Vectron 193 922, parked outside. We did not go in, but made some nice close-ups of the exterior and some impressions. Again a tip for everyone looking for works numbers (193 924 = SMP 21697) of Siemens locomotives: go to cab no.1, check the frame right above the right buffer. Good luck!

Hide and seek
Some locomotives did not like all the attention. One had to know what to look for to find them. All in the back of the halls we could see 193 901 (the only Vectron now with the old, Belgian front bow) and Rail One's 474 102. Hidden in the bush outside, two Traxx locomotives were spotted; 186 121 (edit) in Fyra-colors and IGT 246 011 still celebrating German's 150th railways anniversary. Behind ES 64 F4-453 we could identify ES 64 F4-409 and Nordcargo 474 201. - DvdR

SNCB 19 vs Vectron and the auto-coupler
Around fifteen HLE 19 series locomotives were seen in Wegberg. The 1909, 1906 and 1913 were in front of the public. We took the opportunity to make some good close-ups of 1906 and its Schwab-coupler system, that what makes the HLE19 different from its normal HLE18 sisters. Also note the special steel, futuristic construction behind it.

And in the mean while in Mönchengladbach...
And in the mean while in Mönchengladbach... ES 64 F4-406 with CFI-logos is ready to go back to Italy. - TW MRCE ES64F4 RAIL ONE 474 Siemens ER20-2007 Siemens Vectron testbed locomotives SNCB HLE 18-19 Stock locomotives type ES 64 F4 the EuroSprinter

With the 205, PKP Cargo Logistics has one locomotive homologated for services in the Netherlands. It made its debute in this country yesterday, in its fresh new look. The locomotive went to Rotterdam, a service in cooperation with ERS Railways. - FG/MvE

MRCE ES64F4

ES 64 F4-842 recently transferred to the Czech Republic to assist the EU45-846 and ES 64 F4-153 and -154. These machines are used for car transports from Petrovice u Karviné (PL-CZ border) to Breclav (CZ-AT border). Coal transports are hauled to Rajka [HU] via Slovakia. - FG/PS MRCE ES64F4

You can follow all developments on this topic on the fantastic website hanzelijn-hattem.nl MRCE ES64F4

The livery of the machines (well 802, 803, and 804) is slightly different compared to most other MRCE ES64F4s in black. The white area up front is different, most likely a result of the fact that these machines originally were delivered in white. It is easier to just keep the front white as it was, and add a red surface, than to paint it it black and then make it white again.

The pictures show 802, 803 and 804 on their way to Poland. The first lessor of these machines is PKP Cargo SA. The locomotives will replace the EU43s hired from Alpha Trains. - FG

[Update/edit] On 20.01.2011, locomotive 805 and 806 arrived at the paint shops in Berlin. - DSO MRCE ES64F4

However, the ES64F4 is a modern electric, and like all other types it can cause problems on track sections with detecting systems working with 25 Hz frequencies, thus local restrictions will remain necessary. The CZ-rail transport authority will address all problem areas in the upcoming days.

For the Skoda 109E, Plzen main station, Kutna Hora, and Veselí nad Lužnicí - Nemanice route are considered being problematic. The Siemens ES64U4 (1216 series) that run to Pragua, are only approved for the transit railway corridor from Dresden [DE] via Decin, Prague, Brno to Vienna [AT].

Also check siemens.cz MRCE ES64F4

Railcolor comment: MRCE has ordered fifteen locomotives with the VL-package; numbered ES 64 F4-101 to 115. At this moment, most of them are hired to different operators such as Captrain and TXL. They have been delivered to MRCE as version VE, as it took too long to finish the homologation process for Belgium. They were needed to haul freight trains of course. Let's see what the influence will be of the 189 on freight transport in Belgium, for modern electrics the exclusive domain of Bombardier's Traxx MS up till now.

[edit]: Another important remark to this approval is that it is restricted to 3kV DC and 15kV AC voltage systems only. That means the 189 can not run on the Athus-Meuse line, a serieus restriction for open access freight operators for services to the south. Next to that, the 189s can also not be used on the Belgium high-speed lines, as the required TBL2 detection system is not implemented. - YG

Wallorail.be mentions that Siemens would like to have the VL machines homologated for Luxembourg and France too. MRCE ES64F4

Next ones are ES 64 F4-095 and 096... - DSO MRCE ES64F4

They are assisted by four ES 64 U2s now, as no. -018 has joined. This engine is still yellow and silver. MRCE ES64F4 MRCE ES64U2

On 25.07.2011, the DB Regio services with MRCE 189s started. ES 64 F4-843 and -844 did the kick-of, the -031, -150 and -842 entered later on.

A discussion about these services can be found here.

Time table for the first day, two locomotives:

RB 20 Halle-Eisenach. Six services for every locomotive:
starting in Eisenach: 05:10, 06:10, 11:10, 12:13, 17:10, 18:13
starting in Halle: 08:22, 09:22, 14:22, 15:22, 20:22, 21:22
MRCE ES64F4

The new (old) name reflects an internal re-arrangement of the lease/rental and service activities of the company. MRCE ES64F4

First units that were overhauled in Bellinzona:

ES 64 F4-091 REV Be 16.06.2011, repaint in black
ES 64 F4-016 REV Be 15.07.2011, repaint in black
ES 64 F4-097 REV Be 31.08.2011, repaint in black
ES 64 F4-088 REV Be 25.10.2011, repaint in black
ES 64 F4-095 REV Be 04.11.2011, no repaint - DSO
ES 64 F4-015 REV Be 28.11.2011, no repaint - MK
ES 64 F4-096 REV Be 12.12.2011, no repaint - DSO
ES 64 F4-024 REV Be 16.12.2011, no repaint - DSO
ES 64 F4-099 REV Be 10.04.2012, no repaint - DSO
ES 64 F4-026 REV Be 11.05.2012, no repaint
ES 64 F4-093 REV Be 20.09.2012, no repaint MRCE ES64F4

Other news: Designers are working on a new logo for the leasing company. This is why some recently repainted units have no logos anymore. MRCE ES64F4 MRCE ES64U2

The vehicles will be manufactured in the Siemens Plant in Munich and are due to be delivered by June 2011 at the latest. - Siemens

Railcolor.net comment: Om 26.03.2011, stock locomotives 189 840 and 841 were seen on their way to Berlin, most likely for a repaint. Both engines can be the first two units of this order, as they already have the right (VM) configuration. Most likely more units from the stock production with the VM configuration (189 840-...) will be sold to MRCE. MRCE ES64F4 Stock locomotives type ES 64 F4

HTRS, or Husa Transportation Railway Services Nederland B.V., is the new name for all activities of former ACTS, that already was part of the Husa group. The operator is very ambitious when it comes to promote its new name in the Netherlands, witness the new liveries for its 1600s (1606, 1609, 1619, 1621) and several G1206 diesel locomotives. MRCE ES64F4

Other locomotives from the first picture: ES 64 F4-108 and 111 are in Velim [CZ] for tests. ES 64 F4-084 is also in Berlin Rummelsberg, ES 64 F4-085 in Velim. - KAR/DSO MRCE ES64F4

darker red on KombiVerkehr 185 664
CapTrain 185-CL 005 with some white spots
CapTrain ES 64 F4-995 is black again. Railpool 185 681 is now hired to PCT! It got PCT logos and a slightly adjusted Railpool base design...- KAR MRCE ES64F4 Railpool 185.2

As far as we know, 70 units will be built:
5x VD: ES 64 F4-034 to 038
6x VE: ES 64 F4-082 to 087
15x VL: ES 64 F4-101 to 115
9x VM: ES 64 F4-151 to 159
5x VO: ES 64 F4-208 and 210 to 213
11x VK: ES 64 F4-280 to 290
9x VI: ES 64 F4-401 to 409
10x VP: ES 64 F4-450 to 459

A complete overview here. In total MRCE Dispolok will operate a fleet of 115 units, the biggest of all customers. MRCE ES64F4

By the official introduction, these trains will be hauled by ES 64 F4 series locomotives provided by Nordcargo. Driver training on these machines has already started, as ES 64 F4-088 is already spotted in Italy hauling a single OBB-passenger coach. This solution however is only temporary, as the ES 64 F4s will be replaced by OBB 1216.0 series engines as soon as these units are fully homologated in Italy. 1216 011 is being used right now for tests and driver instructions. - DM MRCE ES64F4 ÖBB 1216

Last picture shows unit 213, on the only day it was hired by IGE, hauling a train for Eivel. MRCE ES64F4

13x version VL/VE: ES 64 F4-101 to 110, 112, 114, 115
5x version VO: ES 64 F4-208, 210-213
9x version VK: ES 64 F4-280 to 288
9x version VI: ES 64 F4-401 to 409
10x version VP: ES 64 F4-450 to 459
4x version VD: ES 64 F4-034 to 037

We still miss unit 111 and 113, anyone seen these machines yet? If so, we count 52 new units up til now... what is strange... Maybe more engines are needed? Maybe some have been refitted and renumbered? Hopefully we know more soon... MRCE ES64F4

Nordcargo and TX Logistik operate the majority of these machines now, most of them being easy to recognize by their white fronts since their enhancement. ES 64 F4-088, 089 (prototype), 091, 092, 093 and 094 are operated by Nordcargo. 094 is painted black. Unit 090, 095, 096, 097 and 098 are running for TX Logistik. 097 is recently repainted in black, like 098. These machines are now also seen in the Netherlands.

ES 64 F4-099 did not return to Nordcargo after leaving Wegberg-Wildenrath. Instead it was spotted in the Netherlands, running for KombiVerkehr. MRCE ES64F4

The three units of on these pictures represent the VL-configurated sub serie, numbered ES 64 F4-101 to 110. Special about this new configuration is that these units should be able to run in Belgium, in addition to for example the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Croatia and Romania. But, now images appear which implicate that the 101-110 will not get the VL package right away, but will start with the welknown and approved VE-package. It seems that Belgium will have to wait a bit longer... - KAR/TW MRCE ES64F4

Remarkable is that ES 64 F4-401 has new NVR-numbers, ending with IT-NC, also no longer telling us who is the owner, but by which operator the machine is immatriculated. - DM MRCE ES64F4

Then it was transported to the Czech Republic, where the machine now is being used for trials on the Czech network, performed by ČD Cargo. The 150 also carries small ČD Cargo vinyls up front, which immediately resulted in wild speculation about the Czech railways wanting to hire or purchase ES 64 F4 units for their freight transport.

Appearantly, at the end of February 2009, ČD Cargo released a tender for the lease of six modern quadricourant electrics, for a period of five years. The Siemens ES 64 F4 is one of the types ČD Cargo can choose from, next to Bombardier's TRAXX F140 MS. Next to that, ČD Cargo wants to operate container services in cooperation with DB Schenker. Multi-system locomotives would of course offer the possibility of non-stop operation.

The near future will learn what the Czech railways will decide. In the mean time Siemens can promote its ES 64 F4 platform and gather the neccessary data to get this machine fully approved for the Czech railway network. - K-report.net, Zelpage.cz MRCE ES64F4

Remarkable is also the announcement that Siemens is soon to introduce a new standard platform for locomotives. Herewith, the Belgian 18 series, Portuguese LE4700 series and the ER20s for Lithuania now prove to be just an interim solution. - Siemens MRCE ES64F4 Siemens Vectron testbed locomotives

These two engines travelled to Mönchengladbach together with ES 64 F4-007, 008, 016 and 017. What will happen to these machines is yet unknown, but most likely their configuration will be changed.

Two other machines arrived in Berlin last week, for a repaint in black. ES 64 F4-020, known for its DB Autozug vinyls, recently got three new pantographs in Wildenrath. What the consequences are of this modification, will be clear after the repaint we think, when the machine will get new technical inscriptions. Also present in Berlin was ES 64 F4-096, with a white front. This machine now represents the extended VE configuration. - HG/PS/DSO MRCE ES64F4

Today, MRCE Dispolok 127 001 picked up 183 601, coming from Nurnberg. MRCE ES64F4 PKP IC 5370 SNCB HLE 18-19 the EuroSprinter

In the mean time the fleet of Nordcargo is subjected to many changes. The new MRCE Dispolok ES 64 F4-401, and the refitted ES 64 F4-094 have arrived in Italy in the mean time. The 401 will be immatriculated by Nordcargo during its homologation process for Italy, being the first representative of the new ES 64 F4/4 sub serie. ES 64 F4-094 (VE-configuration with SCMT) will be used by Nordcargo during the retrofitting of the other VE-machines (ES 64 F4-088, 091, 092, 093, and 099) with SCMT, that Nordcargo is hiring. - Nordcargo FNM E483 MRCE ES64F4

The Bosphorus-Europe Express will cross Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria along its way. Because the route in the latter two countries goes via non-electrified track sections, MRCE Dispolok EuroRunner ER 20-013 will join the ES 64 F4-032. - MRCE Dispolok MRCE ER 20 MRCE ES64F4

We can also report that on 28.02.2009, RTC ES 64 F4-001 and 002, together with MRCE Dispolok ES 64 F4-023, 024 and 032 have left Wegberg-Wildenrath, heading south. Looking at the vynils under the cabin windows, they must have been refitted with SCMT too. Pictures can be found here. MRCE ES64F4

ES 64 F4-200 (ex ES 64 F4-006)

ES 64 F4-203 (ex ES 64 F4-019)

ES 64 F4-204 (ex ES 64 F4-021), available for operators in the Netherlands to find out what they think about these machines, in the mean time KombiVerkehr, the Rurtalbahn and ITL have been operating the machine. - Rolandrail.net

ES 64 F4-205 (ex ES 64 F4-022), is rented out to KombiVerkehr and in regular service MRCE ES64F4

Yesterday, two new ES 64 F4/2s from Munich arrived in Wegberg-Wildenrath; ES 64 4-282 and 283. Both represent the VK configuration for NL/DE services only. Now we have three new number series:

ES 64 F4-200 and up > VO configuration, NL-DE-PL, 5 new, 9 other machines to be retrofitted
ES 64 F4-280 and up > VK configuration, NL-DE, 4 new machines delivered
ES 64 F4-400 and up > VI confihuration, IT or PL, 6 new machines delivered, 1 retrofitted

WS/IvD/LP/Eurailpress.de MRCE ES64F4

Remarkable is that both engines represent the VE configuration for Siemens ES 64 F4 locomotives. It's, as far as we know, the first time that such configurated machines are used for commercial services in the Netherlands. It means that for the first time Siemens is able to offer fully homologated electrics for the complete Trans-Alp freight corridor, all the way from the Netherlands, via Germany and Switzerland or Austria, to Italy. VE machines were up till now mainly used by operator Nordcargo, but these machines never reached for the Netherlands. Again a little break through for modern electrics. - Rolandrail.net/LP

n.b. ES 64 F4-098 is not to be confused with ES 64 F4-998, which is in service of ERS Railways, and represents the VJ configuration for NL and DE only. MRCE ES64F4

First image shows '189 210' - 189-VK configuration with DE/NL in its raster. The second is one of '189 937' - 189-VD configuration with DE/AT/IT/SI/HR in its raster. MRCE ES64F4

The second machine in the picture is most likely to be the former 021 (based on colour and REV-date), now renumbered as ES 64 F4-204. It has the same package as the 205. - WS/ASDF MRCE ES64F4

Last week, ES 64 F4-996 already arrived in the Netherlands; Since then it's parked at Kijfhoek shunt yard. Freight operator ACTS is mentioned to be the next lessor of this unit. MRCE ES64F4

ES 64 F4-991/996 and 997 were transported form Seddin to Mönchengladbach on 20.10.2008. MRCE ES64F4

Its new i.d.: LZB: 189 101-9 - Cesifer: E 189 101 RT - NVR:* 91 80 6189 101-9 D-DISPO

Appearantly the machine will be tested using the RTC permit or maybe RTC will be the first customer. Revision date has not been changed. The machine represents the new sub type VI and is/will be homologated for Poland and Italy.

* numbers previously referred to as UIC numbers, are now renamed on this website as NVR (national vehicle registration) numbers. MRCE ES64F4

Most pictures we got showed the exact machine, but in its previous life, better known as E189 929. MRCE ES64F4

ES64F4-VH: AT-DE-PL - 10 locomotives planned
ES64F4-VI: IT and PL - 10 locomotives (3kV DC only) from the latest order
ES64F4-VP: PL - 10 locomotives (3kV DC only) from the latest order
ES64F4-VO: NL-DE-PL - no further details
- rynek-kolejowy.pl MRCE ES64F4

ER 20-005, -008, -009, -013 and -014
ES 64 U2-026 and -067
ES 64 F4-006 (VH), -010 (VD), -021 (VD), -028 (VK), -029 (VI, no service numbers), -033 (VK), -094 (VE) and -098 (VE)
189 090, 092, 093, 094, and 095 (all VJ). 189 093-095 now have a Veolia-livery
If there are any more, please let us know!

MRCE ER 20 MRCE ES64F4 MRCE ES64U2

MRCE ES64F4

MRCE ES64F4

Mitsui Rail Capital Europe B.V. in Amsterdam (MRCE) and Dispolok GmbH in Munich (Dispolok) will take an important step in integrating their locomotive leasing operations as of April 1, 2008.

MRCE successfully established in October 2004 as a subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Mitsui) for locomotive leasing operation in Europe, and Dispolok, acquired by Mitsui in October 2006, will integrate their operations to create one of the largest European locomotive operating lessors and service providers with more than 200 locomotives already delivered to customers in more than 10 countries in Europe.

The integration will comprise a transfer of all leasing operations to Munich, which will be renamed MRCE Dispolok GmbH (MRCE Dispolok), and a concentration of all corporate operations in Amsterdam, which will continue to carry the name of Mitsui Rail Capital Europe B.V. All day-to-day locomotive lease operations including sales & marketing, fleet management, logistics management and service & maintenance management for the entire fleet of MRCE and MRCE Dispolok will be centralized in Munich, while the marketing and technology strategy & development, business administration, financing and budgeting, locomotive procurement and ownership will be homed in Amsterdam. Current MRCE sales staff will be operationally assigned to MRCE Dispolok but physically remain in Amsterdam to be closer to core customers in North & Western Europe. All shares of Mitsui in Dispolok will be transferred to MRCE. A new corporate identity and logo design will be introduced including the unification of the entire fleet to a black color scheme.

This integration is to combine the industrial and financial strength of MRCE and Dispolok and to establish the basis for further expansion and diversification.􃧹r. Miki, the current CEO of MRCE and future Managing Director, Group CEO of MRCE explained: “The integration will be mainly driven by using best the existing expertise and capabilities at the actual locations and we have not been chasing a holding structure but more a vertical concentration into corporate and market functions”. Mr. Stahl, the current President and COO of MRCE and future Managing Director, Group Marketing & Strategy of MRCE outlined: “This will be to combine the strength of both while eliminating weakness. We think to have created an organization which by operations has an unparalleled depth of know-how and functions in this specific market and commit to spearhead market development to all aspects in favor of our business partners”. Dr. Breinl, the current COO of Dispolok and future Chief Officer, Group Technology, Development of MRCE added;” We are leading ETCS development having invested in a very promising and future oriented design and configuration for our fleet and have started to look into a different design of locomotives”.

For the near future, MRCE will focus on the European Rail new development by supporting and assisting privately and nationally held railways to regain transportation market shares, while endeavoring to protect the environment, as well as to improve the efficiency of the supply of goods to meet the growing demands of the society. In close cooperation with Mitsui, MRCE is planning to diversify into various new business segments related to rail freight transportation.

We value your patronage and believe that this new and more focused structure will broaden and strengthen our ability to be of service for you. We want to be on your side wherever you need us. - MRCE ex MThB/SBB Cargo series MRCE 185.1 MRCE 185.2 MRCE ER 20 MRCE ES64F4 MRCE ES64U2 MRCE Re484

MRCE ES64F4