SIEMENS Mobility launched the latest version of its successful Vectron locomotive, the Vectron X, at a special ceremony at the firm’s new Vectron service centre in Munich, Germany, on June 10.
Speaking at the event Siemens Mobility CEO, Michael Peter, said that all Vectrons delivered from the middle of this month onwards will be Vectron X models, regardless of the original order. He added that owners of existing Vectrons would be able to upgrade.
The specification for the Vectron X platform includes a new screen on the driver’s control panel that will provide access to dedicated apps and provide real-time connectivity. Certain aspects of locomotive control, including starting and stopping the unit, will be managed by apps that will also be available on other smart devices, enabling remote operations.
Starting a locomotive could save 7-12 minutes of driver time, Siemens says, with this increasing up to half an hour in winter, leading to potentially large productivity savings. Other apps will allow the driver and service centre technicians to view asset and component health, and take actions relating to locomotive maintenance in real time.
Siemens says it is encouraging third parties to produce new apps for Vectron X. The new platform builds on the Xcelerator portfolio of a modular digital ecosystem launched at InnoTrans 2022.
“Only 25 years ago operators would buy complete locomotives from a single supplier to very detailed specifications resulting in highly specific machines,” Peter says. “The majority of Vectron owners are leasing companies. They have bought two-thirds of the 3000 Vectrons sold so far and re looking to manufacturers to supply a single standard platform for operation across Europe.”
Siemens says that the Vectouro passenger trains, designed to be hauled by Vectrons, may also be upgraded to the X platform in due course, though the manufacturer would not say when a similar upgrade would be available for its multiple unit platforms, such as the Mireo.
New service centre
The Vectron X launch ceremony coincided with the opening of Siemens’ new 2000m² Rail Service Centre at its 10ha Allach site in Munich, Germany. The new halls provide sufficient capacity to increase overhauls from 25 to 80 locomotives each year. Major accident repairs also take place at the site.
“With significantly increased capacity and fully digitalised workshop processes, we are creating the basis for faster and more predictable workshop visits,” says Elmar Zeiler, CEO customer services at Siemens Mobility.
