SIEMENS Mobility has announced the first order for its Vectron platform from Turkey, under which freight operator Akdoğan Train Cargo will take delivery of five Vectron MS multi-system electric locomotives, designed to operate at up to 200km/h.

The order, whose value was not disclosed, includes a 10-year full-service contract, with options to extend the term by up to two years and to purchase five additional Vectron MS locomotives.

Siemens says that Akdoğan Train Cargo will deploy the new locomotives on cross-border services to countries including Germany, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia, as well as on domestic services. Deliveries are due to begin at the end of 2027.

For cross-border deployment, the locomotives will be equipped with ETCS Baseline 3, as well as the relevant national train protection systems. The new Vectron fleet will also feature Siemens’ XLoad package to improve traction performance and haulage capacity, as well as the Railcover and Railigent X systems using real-time data analysis to provide AI-based fleet maintenance.

“With their multi-system capabilities, the Vectron locomotives will allow us to seamlessly connect our domestic network with cross-border freight corridors across Europe,” says Mustafa Pekmezcan, general manager of Akdoğan Train Cargo.

Alpha Trains

Under a framework agreement signed in July 2024 for the supply of up to 70 Vectrons of various types that included an order for 35 locomotives, rolling stock leasing company Alpha Trains has ordered 15 more Vectron Dual Mode locomotives. They are equipped with a diesel engine to provide up to 2MW at the wheel in diesel mode as well as up to 2.4MW electric mode.

With a maximum speed of 160km/h, the new locomotives will be deployed in Germany and Austria and will be maintained under a service contract signed by Alpha Trains and Siemens in 2023. Production will take place at the Siemens Mobility plant in Munich-Allach.

“They provide the necessary operational flexibility on a wide variety of routes and significantly reduce emissions by replacing older-generation diesel engines with modern, more environmentally-friendly technology," says Vincent Pouyet, managing director, locomotives, at Alpha Trains.

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