As it is completely new information, we highlight this interesting excerpt from the Traxx AC3 Last Mile report from Velim (CZ) again:
"The TRAXX AC with Last Mile function is currently undergoing homologation. Launch customers are Railpool and Akiem."
Also, the French company Akiem has decided to order Last Mile Traxx locomotives, being the second customer of this new type of locomotive.
In March Akiem already published a data sheet on Traxx MS locomotives homologated for Germany/Austria and Poland, so the leasing company will get two different Traxx locomotive types.
'Elektrische Locomotieven, Made in Europe' gives an extensive overview of all current products of the European manufacturers of electric locomotives. Trends, developments, sales numbers, technical innovations and delivery lists are included. All new models and liveries are presented in a clear and structured way, like on this website.
Specs: 176 pages, 300+ pictures and graphics, full color.
The picture shows ES 64 F4-153 and -842 in service for PKP Cargo, passing through in Himberg, Austria. PKP Cargo is now running its own trains in the Alp country as part of the Breclav-Villach route (heading for Italy). A second locomotive is needed for the steep climb from Gloggnitz to Semmering (the Semmeringbahn). - HP
Bombardier: The new Traxx AC Last Mile locomotive hauls heavy trains weighing up to 2,000 tonnes during public event at test track, also in Last Mile operational mode.
On 16.05.2013, Bombardier Transportation proved today that its Traxx AC Last Mile locomotive is closing the logistics gap in the rail sector during a customer and press event in Velim, Czech Republic. The Last Mile mode, a combination of diesel engine and support traction battery premiered by Bombardier, allows rail vehicles to overcome short distances without catenaries.
At the test circuit in Velim, the Traxx AC Last Mile locomotive (Railcolor: 187 003) showed that it can haul trains weighing up to 2,000 tonnes not only on electrified lines but also in Last Mile mode. The locomotive masters short distances on non-electrified lines without producing any emissions by using only its battery. This will enable rail companies to manage traffic into harbours, freight terminals and loading depots without additional trucks or shunting locomotives.
In Last Mile mode, the locomotive reaches a top speed of 40 km/h while hauling heavy trains and up to 60 km/h running alone. On electrified lines, it reaches up to 160 km/h. The transition from electric to diesel traction is performed dynamically, which means without stopping. The Last Mile function thereby enables operators to benefit from the huge environmental advantage of an electric locomotive running also on short non-electrified lines.
The TRAXX AC with Last Mile function is currently undergoing homologation. Launch customers are Railpool and Akiem. Railpool will lease three of these locomotives to the Swiss railway company, BLS Cargo. “This new locomotive harmoniously combines economy and ecology, a big advantage for our customers in the global market,” said Janis Vitins, Director Marketing and Product Planning, Locomotives, Bombardier Transportation. “Around the world, we are facing challenges to people’s mobility and the environment due to urbanisation. Bombardier is at the forefront of developing precisely fitting technologies that improve total vehicle performance to move more people and regarding the TRAXX AC Last Mile especially more goods than ever before efficiently.” Locomotives are the backbone of most freight and many passenger services around the world.
Since 04.10.2012, the railways of the Czech Republic (CD) operate the D1 Express service, connecting Prague and Brno. ČD 380 009-1 is one of the locomotives with special D1 Express-logos. - WW
CargoServ from Austria has published the news that it now officially has all the permits required to be a independent rail operator in Austria. In April 2012 the company got the service permit, in April 2013 the necessary safety certificate was granted to the subsidiary company of LogServ GmbH.
In the press statemant, CargoServ also announces that it will acquire one new locomotive this year. The purchase is being prepared right now. - MB
Railcolor: CargoServ now operates ES 64 U2-080, 081 and 082 plus 1216 930-933. The new locomotive will be the eighth electric in the fleet. Also three V100 locomotives are operated by CargoServ.
Yesterday, PRESS 145 023-6 had its attractive Fleischmann jubilee livery removed. Today it re-appeared with a modest sticker promoting Dampfbahn-Route Sachsen. - SC
Fresh from the paint shop, looking crispy. Portrait of Hector Rail 242.502 'Zurg', released last week from Linz in the livery of the Swedish freight operator. - MG/NE/PS
In 2010, four machines were modified for hauling trains over the high speed line (LAV) connecting Barcelona and Perpignan, continuing into France: S/252 017, 024, 025, 028. The second image shows locomotive 028 and 019, the latter one added to the Mercancias-fleet later on. According to listadotren.es the 019 was the first of its series that got ERTMS. - AG/listadotren.es
Siemens: The first “Amtrak Cities Sprinter” type electric locomotive for our customer Amtrak has just rolled out of the manufacturing plant. The U.S. intercity passenger rail service had placed a €338 million ($466 million) order with Siemens for 70 electric locomotives in October 2010. By securing this order, Siemens has succeeded in selling its locomotives to the American market for the first time. The first units will be field tested this summer for entry into revenue service in the fall. The last of these units are due to be handed over to Amtrak as of the end of 2015.
The Cities Sprinter (ACS-64) units are part of a comprehensive fleet replacement strategy that is planned for the next 14 years and which Amtrak is launching in its passenger rail service on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). Linking Boston and Washington, this corridor is one of the most heavily traveled long-distance routes in den USA. The new locomotives are to replace electric units that have been in operation for 20 to 30 years and will therefore play a major role in the modernization and expansion of the Amtrak equipment.
“The new Amtrak locomotives will help power the economic future of the Northeast region, provide more reliable and efficient service for passengers, and support the rebirth of rail manufacturing in America,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman. “Built on the West Coast for service in the Northeast with suppliers from many states, businesses and workers from across the country are helping to modernize the locomotive fleet of America’s Railroad.”
“More and more Americans are parking their cars and choosing the comfort and convenience of trains, metros and streetcars as their preferred way of traveling. We’re proud of the innovations we’ve brought to passengers and commuters,” said Michael Cahill, president of Siemens Rail Systems Division in the U.S. “From downtown streetcar systems to regional, passenger rail lines, Siemens’ transportation solutions like the next-generation Amtrak locomotives enhance safety, boost efficiency and performance, and are built in America.”
The Cities Sprinter electric locomotives for Amtrak are based on Siemens’ Eurosprinter and Vectron models. They are equipped to operate on the three line voltages 25 kV, 12.5 kV and 12 kV and develop an output rating of up to 6.4 MW. Consequently, they can reach a substantially higher performance level than the predecessor models. By operating trains up to 18 cars long at a top speed of 200 km/h (about 125 mph), Amtrak will now be able to run trains at closer headways and carry a considerably higher number of passengers on the same route.
Furthermore, the new locomotives will come with a 1000 kW onboard power supply that ensures 100% redundancy. They will be designed for easier maintenance and use a regenerative braking system that will feed energy back into the power grid and enhance energy efficiency. The Cities Sprinters will meet the latest safety regulations and crashworthiness standards set by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
The Amtrak Cities Sprinter locomotives will operate on the NEC along the Washington – New York – Boston route at speeds up to 200 km/h (about 125 mph) and on the Keystone Corridor from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, at speeds up to 180 km/h (approx. 110 mph).
The Amtrak locomotives are being assembled mainly at Siemens’ manufacturing plant in Sacramento, California, with parts coming from various plants in Norwood, Ohio, Alpharetta, Georgia, and Richland, Mississippi, and from nearly 70 suppliers in more than 60 cities and 23 states.
The first three locomotives will undergo a comprehensive testing program this summer, including two at an U.S. Department of Transportation facility in Pueblo, Colorado, and one on the NEC.
On several news websites, publishing about the 2012 fiscal year of Amtrak, an image has appeared of Amtrak Cities Sprinter (ACS-64) locomotive. An image of a fully painted body of the new generation of electrics for the United States.
BTW googling on amtrak + acs-64 + siemens delivers some more images of these machines now preparing for their first official appearance.
ES 64 U2-002 is no more, long live Hector Rail 242.502. Yesterday the freshly repainted locomotive, with nick name 'Zurg', left Linz in Austria, heading for Germany.
This week Siemens published, that its Vectron platform got its approval for Sweden. They expect Norway to follow soon.
Vectron AC 193 923 visited Norway earlier this year. On 21.03.2013 for example, it was tested with CargoNet train 5502 from Bergen to Oslo. The image shows the locomotive with EL 18.2261, one of four "Lok 2000" locomotives that CargoNet currently rents from NSB. - OB
Since 30.04.2013, Metrans from the Czech Republic hires a white Vectron AC locomotive: 193 922. It still has its stickers from InnoTrans 2012. It is the first white Vectron (that we see), that is actually used for normal revenue services. - KAR/JS
Vectron has now received its unlimited homologation for Sweden. Following Poland, Romania, Germany and Austria, this is the fifth national homologation in Europe. Previously Vectron had a temporary homologation in Sweden. The homologation process is also underway for further nations, including Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland.
Following succesfull winter testing in northern Sweden (Railcolor: with Vectron 193 923), e.g. on the Iron Ore Line to Kiruna, Vectron had received a temporary homologation for the swedish network. Afterwards the vehicle had been used in commercial service until October 2012 covering a mileage of more than 100,000 km. Effective April 30, 2013, the unlimited homologation has been granted.
After transfer from Sweden to Norway test and homologation runs were performed, followed by commercial service in freight operation on the Oslo-Bergen line with gradients of up to 22 ‰ . The homologation for Norway is expected within the next months. - Siemens
This afternoon in Kassel, a little Traxx parade. 76 102 and 245 001- went out for a trial run. 245 002 was also around. Last in row is Alpha Trains 185 525. - CK
On 04.05.2013, Metrans locomotives were used for hauling two special passenger charter trains. They took guests to the opening ceremony of the new Česká Třebová container terminal, in operation since December 2012. One train came from Prague with four RegioJet coaches, pulled by Metrans ES 64 F4-157 and the new 186 291. The second train, as shown in the picture, ran from Bratislava-Petržalka through Wien Praterstern to Česká Třebová, so all Metrans employees and guest could board. Here ZSSK coaches were used, ulled by Metrans 186 182 and 761 005. - JP/JS
Thank you Michele Sacco. His hard work resulted in our latest locomotive visual, the Ferrotramviaria 483.040 locomotive. Ever wondered how many different visuals there are on this website? To give you a first impression we have collected a first batch on our pinterest channel.
Three impressions from Morocco, where Akiem 36000s are being used for hauling phosphate train from Casablanca to the Khouribga industrial zone. - FJ / euro-photos-trains.com
Czech operator Metrans hires a new locomotive: Railpool E 186 291-1. The machine was retrofitted in the past months for services in DE/AT/BE/NL/CZ and SK, as it was originally delivered as DE/AT/IT-machine. This image shows the machine in Kolín. It is the first Metrans locomotive we see with a new kind of logo / corporate identity of Metrans. - LK
Additionally, the locomotive sports the HHLA logo upon its fronts.
Yesterday evening, RTB 186 110 in its new livery, started its first revenue service. Around 7.00pm it left Rotterdam-Maasvlakte, heading for Duisburg. The title image shows the machine during the consecutive trip to Stuttgart. - SV
Yesterday, Railadventure locomotive 139 558 was seen with another new Vectron locomotive in white: 193 961. This is the fourth new unit recently seen in Germany and Poland. An overview:
Yesterday, DB Schenker 185 401 and 406 made a test run together, starting in Kassel. 185 406 has been used for trials with many other locomotives in the past years. - CK
Today, another presentation of a new livery. Dutch railway publisher Uquilair will celebrate its 35th anniversary at the end of this year. For this special occasion, Railpool/Rurtalbahn Cargo locootive 186 110 is redesigned in a special Rail Magazine livery, the main product of Uquilair. The presentation was held at the work shop of Shunter in the harbour area of Rotterdam. Two hours later, the locomotive started its first voyage in the new design; a freight train from Rotterdam-Maasvlakte to Duisburg.
SNCF Geodis, the logistics and goods transport branch of SNCF, and the Spanish service provider COMSA EMTE signed an agreement last week under which SNCF Geodis is to take a stake in COMSA Rail Transport (CRT). SNCF Geodis is to take a 25% share in the capital of COMSA Rail Transport. As such, a representative of Geodis will sit on the CRT Board of Directors.
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
Grey and yellow, a unknown colour combination to a Traxx locomotive, until today! The image show the brand new 483 040 and 041 together with a test train. This morning they completed their maiden from the factory in Vado Ligure to Genova Sestri Ponente. - EB/MB
It is a true Railcolorful day today. This is MAV 480 005 in its new special livery, commemorating the fact that king Matthias Corvinus (in Hungarian: Hunyadi Mátyás or Mátyás király) enthroned 555 years ago. - MF
An overview of the first duties with 480 005 here. - PH
On 28.04.2013, a Vectron locomotive was seen, being transported to Wegberg-Wildenrath, carrying an unusual service number: 193 963. At the moment we do not know yet why its has this number, exactly what locomotive it is and what its special capabilities are, but we will let you know as soon as possible of course. - DW/WS
Tomorrow is a normal day for most people, but a special one for the Netherlands. For the first time in over 100 year the country will have a King! Queen Beatrix will resign, King Willem-Alexander will step up! Therefore today: Loco Royale!
Bombardier Traxx AC3-prototype 187 002 is in Switzerland, and that results in many unique locomotive combinations, resulting in ever nicer images of these gatherings. - YD
There already have been several announcements about the Newag Griffin-prototype locomotive and when the first dynamic trials with the green machine would start. The machine now be available for the first tests in the first half of May 2013.
Another interesting fact: Newag plans to test the capabilities of the Griffin under 25kV, somewhere in the south of Europe. Unlike the Gama locomotive built by opponent Pesa, the first Griffin is a multi-system locomotive for 3kV DC, 15kV and 25kV AC voltage systems.
The picture shows the first Berlin-Malmö service of 2013, also known as the EN 300. The coaches in the colours of Veolia are being hauled by ES 64 F4-008.
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
As reported before, Ferrovia Adriatico Sangritana S.r.l. (FAS) from Italy is using its E483 locomotives for transporting vans from Fossacesia to Bologna. A nice impression of such a transport. PC
BTW, within a week or so, Bombardier in Vado Ligure will deliver two new Traxx locomotives to Ferrotramviaria.
During last weekend’s test drives on the line between Mühldorf and Markt Schwaben (Bavaria, Germany) the new Bombardier Traxx DE ME locomotive hauled as many as nine double deck cars in single traction while at the same time supplying the train with electricity. The focus of the test drives was on the regulation of the four diesel engines which
went smoothly; other areas (push-pull operation and parallel bus bar supply) are being optimized during further test drives.
Sudostbayernbahn has purchased eight Multi Engine locomotives for operation on the main line between Simbach and Munich, starting in mid-2014. The new powerful locomotives, which can run at a top speed of 160 kilometers per hour, comply with the EU’s 2012 exhaust emission standards Stage IIIB. Moreover, they operate with lower noise emissions than the previous diesel locomotives – this is, particularly for densely populated areas like Munich, an important feature. - Bombardier
Yesterday we already had Traxx AC3 prototype 002 running in Switzerland. This image shows unit 001 with 146 551 and 554 for the German railways. An unique combination. More images here. - VF
On 18.04.2013, MRCE ES 64 F4-093 completed its last day of service for Nordcargo/DB Schenker, to which it was hired since 2005. Its last duty took it from Chiasso to Montova Frassine.
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
Today, Bombardier's AC3 prototype 187 002 was testing around Spiez (CH). This image shows the machine together with BLS Re465 008, possibly colleagues in the near future. - DW / http://www.trainspotter.ch
As from today, the Siemens EuroRunner locomotives are no longer part of this website. Also the search function will not return any data. These machines can now be found on http://mainlinediesels.net.
A picture from 25.02.1995, showing AEG (then Adtranz) test locomotive 128 001 during trials on the Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon Bahn (BLS). - DGB
The locomotive was presented officially on 30.06.1994 and since then it was a common sight on the BLS line in Switzerland, where it could be tested to the max.
Alstom
On several news websites, publishing about the 2012 fiscal year of Amtrak, 
