ČD Cargo signs contract for 5 Siemens Vectron locomotives

ČD Cargo, the Czech rail transport company, has signed an agreement with Siemens to supply 5 Vectron locomotives for operation in the Czech Republic and neighbouring countries.

The new multisystem locomotives will be used to transport vehicles by rail between Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Germany, and on other international routes.

Vectron locomotives will operate in Czech Republic,Hungary and Romania

All locomotives will be equipped with train control systems for these countries as well as the European Train Control System (ETCS). The locomotives have a maximum output of 6,400 KW and a top speed of 160 km/h. Deliveries will begin in June 2016 and be completed by the end of the year. The locomotives will be built in the Siemens plant in Munich-Allach, Germany.

Commenting on the order, Ivan Bednárik, Chairman of the Board of ČD Cargo said: “The decision to purchase new interoperable locomotives comes from a long-term strategy of ČD Cargo and fulfills one of the company’s key objectives, which is expanding to foreign markets. If we want to sustain our current market share and our position as one of the largest European carriers, fleet renewal is necessary, and these locomotives are the first but not last investment in this area. ČD Cargo’s brand new Vectrons will meet the strictest European standards and will become the most modern drive vehicles of our entire fleet.”