ČD Cargo orders new Vectron locomotives

Credit: ČD Cargo/ Martin Bohl

ČD Cargo, the largest Czech rail freight carrier, and Siemens Mobility Czech Republic have signed a contract for the purchase of ten interoperable multi-system Siemens Vectron MS electric locomotives (variant A54), which have a maximum operating speed of 160 km/h.

“We have long-term good experience with Siemens Vectron locomotives at the head of our trains,” Tomáš Tóth, Chairman of the Board of ČD Cargo, said. “Their purchase enabled us to fulfil one of the four strategic pillars of ČD Cargo, namely expansion abroad. We want to use the new locomotives for transport in other countries with interesting potential, in the Netherlands and Belgium. Ports are particularly interesting for us.”

“We are happy that ČD Cargo will welcome additional Siemens Vectron locomotives to its fleet,” Roman Kokšal, CEO of Siemens Mobility Czech Republic, said. “Ten vehicles in the multi-system variant will thus be added to the current locomotives. This is the first Czech customer that will have Vectron locomotives with homologation for Belgium in its locomotive fleet.”

Locomotives for ČD Cargo will be manufactured at the Siemens Mobility plant in Munich-Allach and will gradually be handed over from the second half of 2024. The locomotives have the European Train Control System ETCS Level 2 Baseline 3 and are approved for operation in the Czech Republic, Belgium, Hungary, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Austria, and Slovakia.

Credit: Martin Bohl