SBB Cargo International, in collaboration with Südleasing, has ordered 20 Vectron multi-system locomotives from Siemens Mobility.
The 160km/h locomotives will be equipped with the XLoad package, which Siemens says improves the locomotive’s traction performance, helping to increase payload and reduce the number of locomotives needed to haul a freight train. For example, this allows the use of a single rather than two four-axle locomotives to haul heavier trains operating on Switzerland’s North-South axis.
“With this expansion of its fleet and the increased hauling capability provided by XLoad, our customer will be able to serve the Alpine region even more efficiently,” says Mr Albrecht Neumann, CEO rolling stock at Siemens Mobility. “This order increases the number of Vectons sold in Switzerland to a total of 180.”
The locomotives will be leased from SüdLeasing under a “long-term contract with a flexible term.” The units will be certified for operation in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, and will be used by SBB Cargo International on transalpine services. Siemens will also maintain the locomotives for a term of 15 years under the deal. The Vectrons will be equipped with ETCS Level 2 Baseline 3 onboard equipment, as well as national train protection systems.
SBB Cargo International placed a similar order for 20 Vectrons equipped with the XLoad package in 2022. This latest order extends the operator’s fleet of Vectrons to 78 locomotives.
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