From finanznachrichten.de.

The German railways (DB) and Bombardier want to close a framework agreement for the delivery of up to 450 new locomotives, to be ordered until 2023. 130 machines will be ordered immediately, 110 locomotives for DB Schenker Rail and twenty aditonal Traxx F160 AC2 locomotives for DB Regio. The order can have a value of €1.5 billion.

The agrement still needs to be approved internally by the DB. There is also still the mandatory period during which other parties involved can ask for extra information about the tendering process and the selection of the winner. Objection is still possible.

Remember that DB still has 79 locomotives of the Traxx family on order/under delivery:
32x Traxx P160 AC2: 146 251-282
27x Traxx P160 AC2: 146 551-577 with WTB-equipment
20x Traxx P160 DE ME: 245 001-020

The order is part of a frame work agreement with Bombardier. The DB has ordered several tranches of locomotives for its passenger services within this agreement. An overview of all TRAXX P160 series locomotives of the DB:

31 x P160AC / 2001-2002 / DB Regio 146 001-031
32 x P160AC1 / 2003-2005 / DB Regio 146 101-132
47 x P160AC2 / 2005-2006 / DB Regio 146 201-247
27 x P160AC2 / delivery expected for 2013 / DB Transport
32 x P160AC2 / delivery starting in 2014 / DB Regio

Railcolor: The Deutsche Bahn is careful with its fleet renewal. 32 new locomotives is only a small number. However, the frame agreement is limited of course and also, the DB first needs to have enough confidence in the future to place such an order. It needs to be sure that it will retain/win sufficient service concessions to justify the investment. On the other hand, many regional services with double stock coaches are still hauled by the aging 111 and 143 series locomotives, which do need replacement.

Last friday, 05.08.2011, the 146 223 got its normal configuration back and returned to Stuttgart. 146 229 was sent back to Freiburg. - DSO/YH