DB Cargo to revolutionise locomotive fleet
German rail freight operator DB Cargo is planning to significantly upgrade its locomotive fleet. In the coming years, it will replace around 900 old-fashioned diesel vehicles with hybrid ones. 200 units will be purchased by the year’s end.
As DB Cargo intends to make its locomotive fleet more modern and efficient, the rail freight operator is heavily investing in new dual-powered vehicles, especially in new shunters. To this end, it purchased the new hybrid, diesel-battery, locomotives: 50 units from Vossloh Locomotives and 100 units from Toshiba. The first vehicles of this type will be deployed for regular operations in 2024. By the year’s end, the German company is planning to order 200 more hybrid vehicles. Its long-term goal is to replace around 900 old-fashioned diesel locomotives. “We are investing in our locomotive fleet because we are going to grow. With state-of-the-art technology, we help to achieve climate goals in transport. With our modernization program, around 14 million litres of diesel can be saved every year,” said Sigrid Nikutta, CEO of DB Cargo.
Vectron Dual Mode
Besides acquiring new shunters, DB Cargo is adding new dual-powered locomotives for operations on mainlines. In September 2020, the rail freight operator concluded a framework agreement with Siemens Mobility for delivering Vectron Dual Mode locomotives. On Tuesday, 18 January, DB Cargo made an additional order for 46 vehicles of this type. As a result, it will increase its fleet with 146 Vectron Dual Mode locomotives starting from 2023.