News Archiv

DE 687 has lost its HGK/RheinCargo designation and its D-RHC vehicle keeper marking. Now the loco is numbered as 29001 again, so we might expect this loco coming into service for another operator soon.

(Axel Schaer)

Meanwhile, DRS 68019 has been named Brutus. An overview of the names of the first four Class 68 locomotives of the second batch for DRS:

68016 Fearless
68017 Hornet
68018 Vigilant
68019 Brutus

Soon, DB will get competition for its Sylt Shuttle trains between Niebüll und Westerland (Sylt) when RDC Deutschland will start its own car shuttles on the same route. Traction power for these shuttles will be Mak-built DE 2700 diesel locomotives provided by the Nord-Ostsee-Bahn that will act as carrier for RDC. On December 23, a test run was made by NOB with locomotive ER 20-014 (indeed, not a DE 2700 locomotive).

(Nahne Johannsen)

IntEgro 223 152 is currently operated by Transdev Regio Ost/MRB on the Chemnitz-Leipzig Express (CLEX). It has been indicated that the loco is used as a temporary measure until other EuroRunners are fully available.

(Marcus Schrödter)

As of December 13, the first four Akiem BB 75300 locomotives have entered service on SNCF Intercités night services. Locos 75320, 75333, 75340 and 75341 have been selected as traction power for the night trains on the route Valence-Briançon. As the images show, the locos in question have been decorated with pink accents and SNCF logos to highlight that they are in use for SNCF passenger operations.

Since mid-2014, a total of 9 BB 75000 locomotives has gradually been rebuilt as passenger locomotive and subsequently been renumbered in the BB 75300 number series. It concerns locomotives 75320, 75323, 75326, 75328, 75329, 75330, 75333, 75340, 75341. The orginal plan from 2014 concerned the retrofitting of ten machines for use on two different night train relations, so unless plans have changed another machine is yet to be retrofitted.

(André Grouillet / David Haydock)

For its Chemnitz-Leipzig Express (CLEX) services, Transdev Regio Ost operates a number of ER 20 locomotives, of which you see 223 054 (former NOB DE 2000-02), 223 055 (former NOB DE 2000-03) and 223 144 in the pictures. It has been indicated that another EuroRunner has temporarily been made available for CLEX services in the form of IntEgro 223 152, the sister locomotive of IntEgro 223 144.

(Marcus Schrödter)

This morning, the postman had a special delivery for us: 500x Class 66 poster fresh from the printing company. We are happy to announce that shipping will start tomorrow (December 19). The posters measure 100x70cm and feature 158 colourful Class 66 livery designs made by Mr. Thierry Leleu in co-operation with Railcolor.net and MainlineDiesels.net.

We had some questions about where the posters can be shipped to. We deliver to all European countries (incl. the UK) and even some overseas countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, USA, Canada, Brazil, South Korea and Russia.

Interested in having a poster on your wall? Check out railcolorshop.com for more information.

Today (December 17) at Saarbrücken: ECR 77030 numbered as 077 030-0 / 92 87 0077 030-0 F-DB with another unidentified locomotive. 31 of the 60 ECR 77000 series locomotives are owned by DB Schenker Rail Deutschland since the end of 2013, but 77030 appears not to be part of these 31 locos. Whether the loco is in Germany on hire or if it has been sold it not known to us.

(Rocco Weidner)

They have been in on our database for some time now, but now they also have their own section: the NEWAG built 6Dl dual-engine locomotives of PKP IC.

Meanwhile, Raildox 76 110-0 has been restyled into the well-known blue and orange Raildox livery: link.

The latest addition to the fleet of the Pressnitztalbahn just got a new number: 246 011 is now the 246 049. no. 049 because it is the 49th locomotive in the fleet of the Pressnitztalbahn. Why 285 101-104 did not yet receive PRESS-style designations is unclear to us.

(Steffen Kliemann)

Yesterday evening, the final design of the new Class 66 Poster was sent to the printer. 500 units will be delivered next Friday. Then we start shipping as soon as possible. You want to see the final version and order a copy for yourself? Check our webshop.

Note that the poster shows 158 DIFFERENT Class 66 locomotive liveries from all over Europe. A tip from our side: the shipping costs for 1 to 7 posters is the same. So ordering multiple copies at once is very profitable (e.g. when ordering together with your friends). And by the way, the posters also get cheaper when ordering more copies. Furthermore, it possible to make combinations with both the TRAXX and Taurus poster.

We don't see images of these beasts every day, so they deserve some extra attention. Many thanks to Joachim Lutz who contributed these images.

Hired to B Logistics from Belgium and now in service for Heavy Haul Power International through a subhire agreement: Ascendos PB 04.

(Norman Gottberg / Karl Arne Richter)

Class 66 and Class 67 diesel power passing through Shottesbrooke on December 7 and December 10.

(Peter Lovell)

Yes, we have completed all 158 DIFFERENT liveries on our class66 poster! And it looks like this:

In service and with NOB logos now: 245 214-2.

(Jens Vollertsen)

On 24 September 2009, ERS Railways 6616 was involved in a frontal collision near Barendrecht in the Netherlands. On 23 April 2011, the locomotive still resided at the NedTrain works at Waalhaven-Zuid, where it was stripped from many still useable parts. Although unconfirmed, it has been indicated that the locomotive's diesel engine has been re-used in one the Class 66 locomotives currently under construction (66773-66779).

(Maarten van der Willigen)

Seen on test recently at the Velim test ring: TŽ 723 701-9. Judging from the locomotive's Vehicle Keeper Marking (CZ-TD), the loco is destined for Třinecké Železárny (TŽ). TŽ is a Czech steel producer from based in Třinec. An image of the locomotive on Flickr can be found here: link It is the first of its type as far as we know. Based on its looks, it could be the first HeavyShunter.

A video of the locomotive at Svitavy:

Update: the locomotive does not carry the type name HeavyShunter, but EffiShunter 500.

One of the more special shots we have received lately. It shows ECR 77040 at Waalhaven-Zuid [NL] on the former bogies of a Dutch Class 1200 electric locomotive (of course only temporarily). Thanks for sharing this with us Maarten!

(Maarten van der Willigen)

According to timeslive.co.za, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has launched a court action against Swifambo Rail Leasing and Vossloh España in an attempt to return the AFR0 4000 locomotives, to get back the R2.65 billion it has already paid and to have the locomotive deal cancelled completely. Not only are the locomotives regarded as unsuitable for the South African railway network due to height issues, Prasa also argues that irregularities have taken place during the tender process, possibly favouring Swifambo Rail Leasing and Vossloh.

Prasa claimes that certain Prasa executives that took part in the deal could face criminal charges. The company has begun legal actions against both the chief engineer who lacked the engineering qualifications he claimed to have and will continue criminal investigation into a former CEO for alleged corruption in the tender process. Additionally, Prasa states that Swifambo Rail Leasing is also under investigation for irregularities during the tender process. For the complete story about Prasa's accusations, check the article on timeslive.co.za.

MLD:
In the article it is mentioned that by 2016, 88 locomotives should have been received by Prasa and that only 13 had been delivered. Indeed, 13 AFRO 4000 locomotives have been delivered, but for as far as we know the complete locomotive deal concerned 70 locomotives: 20x EURO 4000 and 50x EURO DUAL.

That they are different sides to this dispute becomes clear with this article on news24.com, which states that there already had been concerns over the height of the AFRO 4000 locomotives. However, in the meantime, AFRO 4000 locomotives have already been observed in service on various passenger services as some parts of the network do not have any operational restrictions for these locomotives. It also appears that further modifications to the locomotives are currently underway to dissolve certain issues. Without any doubt we can say: to be continued.

(timeslive.co.za / news24.com)

Today (November 30) three TRAXX Multi Engine locomotive could be seen leaving the Bombardier works in Kassel: 245 205-0, 245 214-2 and 245 215-9.

(Christian Klotz)

Yes, former LNVG / IGT diesel locomotive 246 011-1 has lost its IGT stickers and LNVG livery, and is blue now. Its new owner: the Pressnitztalbahn.

Today (November 30) the machine has its maiden run after an overhaul in Kassel by Bombardier. The locomotive has the usual Press logos, but not the standard 'Press blue' color. The base livery is a darker blue, more like ultramarine.

(Christian Klotz)

Captrain Belgium now operates Class 66 locomotive PB 08 from Ascendos Rail Leasing, which was previously hired to Crossrail Benelux. Before its time with Crossrail, the locomotive was also hired to Captrain Belgium as 6602. Internally, the locomotive is operated under this number again.

An image of the locomotive with a coal train in Sittard [NL] can be found here: link.

Vectron DE locomotive 247 902 has been evaluated by ITL for a period of two weeks since November 10. Now that period has ended and the locomotive has entered service with a different German operator: Erfurter Bahn Service (EBS).

(Frank Thomas)

The German railways have published their experience with the seven new 245 series locomotives (Bombardier Traxx DE Multi Engine), now being in revenue service for one year. NOx emission -50%, 9% of fuel savings compared to the old 218 series locos. As the 245s have diesel soot particle filters installed, the emission of particles has dropped with 90%.

(Deutsche Bahn)

Together with Skinest Ukraina and the Daugavpils locomotive factory (Latvia), Newag will modernize old M62 diesel locomotives for the Ukrainian market. There are approximately 600 locomotives of the type in the Ukraine. The demand for a modernized version is estimated at about 150-200 locomotives and is driven by increased reliability problems with the M62s. On November 26, the companies signed the framework contract for the project.

Newag states that it has already experience with similar modernized locomotives operating on the LHS broad gauge network (311Da) and the artist's impression released by the Polish manufacturer also hints at a similar design to the 311D/311Da. However, compared to the 311D/311Da we know from Poland, it seems that their counterparts for the Ukraine will feature a closed body design.

(Newag)

On November 10, 245 215-9 left the Bombardier works in Kassel to make its maiden run. It appears that one day earlier, 245 214-2 did the same. On November 19, also 245 209-2 made its maiden run, so we can expect delivery of the locomotives soon. Note that with the delivery of these three locomotives, the batch of 15 will be complete.

(Christian Klotz)

In 2010, the NedTrain workshop in Tilburg was still open and many Class 66 locomotives were still in the process of final assembly there after having been built by EMD in London, Canada. On some occassions, test runs on the Dutch network were held with the new locomotives, even when they were not configured for operations in the Netherlands.

The image shows ECR 77005 (configured for D/B/F) on such a test run. A rare sight!

(Martijn Schokker)

Of the latest two Class 68 locomotives that were delivered to the UK, at least DRS 68018 has had DRS vinyls and a nameplate applied on its base blue livery. The loco is now called Vigilant.

If 68019 has also received the DRS livery and a nameplate in the meantime is still unclear to us.

Update: It has been indicated that 68019 will possibly receive the name Brutus, which would be a depature from the name theme used for the other 68s. However, whether this true is still subject to confirmation.

(Malcolm Fleming)

On November 18, DRS 68016 entered service, but one day earlier, on November 17, DRS 68017 also made its debut in revenue service. On November 20, Jack Meakin captured the brand new 68017 on camera at Streethay Crossing.

We are currently working hard on finalizing the second Railcolor book. TRAXX, Vectron, Gama, Prima, ELL, you name it, it is in the book. It will have 208 pages, over 535 (!) images and it is written in both Dutch and German. It will be published in December, pre-ordering is possible now in our webshop. Early birds get a 10% discount.

Now we have an updated 28-page preview online, check it out:

Order your book here, and support our projects :)

On issuu, many magazines can be read. Among them, of course, are railway related publications. One of them is the South African Railways Illustrated that regularly reports on the new Vossloh AFRO 4000 locomotives that recently have been delivered to Prasa, South Africa. An example from the October issue. And this one is from August.

Like many other operators, ITL is curious for the Siemens Vectron DE. So the freight operator decided to use 247 902 to see how the machine performs in ITL's everyday practice.

Since November 10, the locomotive in use for a two-week period. According to this post on DSO, the loco is tested on trains carrying construction materials.

(Martin Greiner / Steffen Kliemann / Ivo Schmoll / Christian Wiele)

Today, DRS 68016 Fearless entered revenue service by operating train 6U77.

(Jack Meakin)

Yesterday (November 16), Thierry Leleu was able to capture a small but colourful line-up of modern locomotives on camera at Saint-Jory. From back to front: Vossloh G 2000-3 BB 5001751, Alstom Prima 27137 and Vossloh EURO 4000 4020.

(Thierry Leleu)

Yesterday (November 16), Class 68 locomotives 68018 and 68019 were unloaded from cargo vessel EENDRACHT at Workington Docks. An image of the locos on British soil can be found here: link.

Meanwhile, more and more TRAXX DE Multi Engine locomotives enter service with NOB. Delivered only days ago, Paribus 245 212-6 is the latest to do so. Note that the locomotive carries small NOB logos on its fronts now.

On November 13, 245 213 was seen making its maiden run, so delivery of this locomotive is likely to happen soon. This will leave only two locomotives for Paribus to be delivered: 245 214 and 245 215.

(Nahne Johannsen)

(Thierry Mazoyer)

On its Facebook page, GB Railfreight announced that construction of the last seven Class 66 locomotives for the British operator is progressing well. It is expected that 66773-66779 arrive in the UK in early 2016.

...by the looks of 67020's white nose this morning.

(Julian Mandeville)

On November 13, test runs were undertaken on the Dutch Hanzelijn with Ascendos PB 14, which has recently been equipped with ETCS L2.

(Paul Henke / Marco Zergiebel)

Reportedly, DRS 68018 and 68019 have left Spain on board of a Dutch freighter called EENDRACHT. Similar to 68016-017, the locos will be unloaded in the port of Workington. The vessel carrying the locos can be followed here: marinetraffic.com. Current ETA: November 15.

(Brian Garvin)

A picture of EUROLIGHT locomotive 284 002 in Reggio Emilia on October 16. Recently, the locomotive was sold by Vossloh to Dinazzano Po. Also note ex-DB class 216 veteran 1900-008 behind it.

(Barry Tempest)

Today, a brand new Paribus>NAH.SH Multi-Engine TRAXX caught fire at Itzehoe: 245 204-3. After the fire department cleared the scene, the locomotive and its train were towed away by 245 211-8 and 245 212-6, which were delivered by Bombardier to Paribus today.

(Hans Isernhagen / Andreas Melchert / Martin Drube / Martin Priebs)

All three 774.7F locomotives for Fennia Rail have made their way from the Czech Republic to Finland in the meantime. Follow the link for an image of the three locomotives stabled in Voikkaa: link.

Alstom has received a Letter of Award[1] from the Ministry of Railways to supply Indian Railways with 800 double section freight electric locomotives with associated long-term maintenance[2]. The total contract is worth above €3 billion. This project includes the set-up of a plant at Madhepura (Bihar state) and two maintenance depots at Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh state) and Nagpur (Maharashtra state). The delivery of the locomotives will spread between 2018 and 2028.

The Prima locomotive for Indian Railways will be 9,000 kW at the wheel rim and will run at a speed up to 120 km/h. This contract positions Alstom as the number one on heavy-haul electric locomotives segment with now over 1,200 double locomotives ordered for the last decade.

GE got the diesel locomotive contract
The statement of Alstom follows one day after US manufacturer General Electric (GE) announced it 2.6 billion dollar deal to supply 1.000 diesel locomotives to India. GE will invest 200 million dollar in building a new factory in the Marhowra district. From there it will deliver 100 locomotives each year, for a period of ten years.

GE wil built two models: a 4.500 hp and a 6.000 hp diesel-electric freight locomotive, both with GE Evolution engines. The first units are scheduled to be delivered in January 2018. The first 100 locomotives will be imported turnkey or assembled in India using imported kits, the rest must be built in India with mostly Indian content.

Both deals are made possible because the Indian government has allowed 'foreign direct investments' (FDI) in the country to spur growth in domestic manufacturing.

The complete Alstom press statement
The official statement of GE Transportation here.

The Rockwell Group has revealed its design for the new passenger trains of All Aboard Florida (AAF): 'Brightline' it is. This brand name covers all, the trains, exterior and interior, the travel concept, architecture and the interior design for all four rail stations along the line.

AAF is expecting its first trains, delivered by Siemens, in 2016. Each train will have five coaches in different colors, with a Charger locomotive on each end. The Rockwell design impressions show a completely different exterior design for Charger locomotives, compared to what we knew until now. Confusing and exciting at the same time!

Deutsche Bahn is conducting an innovation contest for engineers and lateral thinkers. So, you can join! Six different challenges have been pre-selected, for which the company is looking for new, alternative solutions:

Challenge 1: Surface coating and cleaning of trains
Challenge 2: Operations planning of on-board staff by app
Challenge 3: ECO tuning of diesel shunting and main-line locos
Challenge 4: Non-destructive testing of fibre components
Challenge 5: Reducing maintenance effort at stations
Challenge 6: Laser point clouds for modelling infrastructure

Check out the dedicated website for more information. The application deadline: 30.11.2015.

...made its maiden run on November 10.

(Christian Klotz)

MRCE and Beacon Rail Leasing have completed the transfer in ownership of 10 Siemens EuroRunner locomotives and 17 EMD Class 66 locomotives. On the last day of September, the final 3 of 27 locomotives in total became property of Beacon Rail Leasing:

EuroRunner ER 20-008
Class 66 locomotive 513-8
Class 66 locomotive 653-08.

On November 6, Siemens announced that it had secured another three orders for its Charger passenger diesel locomotive. All three orders are call-offs from an existing framework agreement for up to 225 locomotives from 2014. In total, there are now 79 Charger locomotives on order.

Order 1 - Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
IDOT has called off a batch of 12 locomotives, on top of the 21 locomotives ordered in March 2014.

Order 2 - California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) ordered 14 locomotives to serve the Pacific Surfliner Amtrak route along the Southern California coast from San Luis Obispo to San Diego via Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. These 14 locomotives increase the total number of Chargers on order from Siemens to 20.

Order 3 - Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)
We already reported about MTA's decision to order Charger locomotives from Siemens in September, but it is now official. Last August's intention to buy eight Charger locomotives is now officially confirmed by Siemens. The locomotives are to be delivered in 2017 and will replace older passenger diesels locomotives on MARC (Maryland Area Regional Commuter) passenger services.

68016 and 68017, the latest two additions to DRS' fleet of Class 68 locomotives, have received theirs stickers (logos and numbers) and are now in full DRS livery. The locomotives have also received their nameplates: 68016 is called Fearless and 68017 is called Hornet.

Today we completed the grid of our third locomotive poster, with the support of Maxime Bonnier and featurung the Class 66 graphics of Mr. Thierry Leleu. After the Taurus poster and the Traxx poster, we will bring the Class 66 poster. It will feature 158 DIFFERENT locomotive designs, of all possible operators, active in the UK, on the continent and even in Africa.

If we have translated the Facebook post below correctly, Vossloh has officially handed over EUROLIGHT locomotive 284 002 to Italian operator Dinazzano Po (DP) some days ago. DP is not only the first to operate a Vossloh locomotive built in Spain, it is also the first to take a EUROLIGHT into service. Sister locomotive 284 001 is currently residing at the Vossloh works in Albuixech.

Of the UKLIGHT, the EUROLIGHT variant for the United Kingdom which is better known as Class 68, 32 have been ordered by Direct Rail Services (DRS) through Beacon Rail Leasing. At this moment, 17 of the 32 locomotives have been delivered and 15 are currently in service. Vossloh will also deliver 10 UK DUAL locomotives to DRS/Beacon Rail Leasing, the hybrid variant of the UKLIGHT, and 50 EURO DUAL locomotives, the hybrid variant of the EUROLIGHT, to PRASA/Swifambo Rail Leasing from South Africa next year.

Stadler Rail: Bussnang, 4 November 2015 – Stadler Rail AG is to take over the Valencia-based locomotive business Rail Vehicles from Vossloh. The Spanish locomotive manufacturer has an annual turnover of more than EUR 200 million and employs approximately 850 people at its headquarters in Valencia. The purchase agreement was signed in Zurich yesterday, on Tuesday, 3 November 2015. Besides providing Stadler Rail with a foothold in the new market segment of diesel-electric locomotives, the takeover will offer the chance to tap into new, Spanish-speaking markets. Rail Vehicles has also built up a strong position in recent years in the areas of LRV, trams and metro vehicles.

The transaction is subject to the approval from the regulatory authorities. With the sale scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, the parties aim to execute the transaction in the first quarter of 2016. The transaction will take effect retroactively as of 1 July 2015. The takeover price is EUR 48 million.

New locomotive segment and Spanish-speaking markets
With the takeover of Rail Vehicles, Stadler Rail will enter a new locomotive market segment, inheriting an experienced workforce and a fully developed product portfolio.

Rail Vehicles is based in Valencia, where it develops and produces innovative diesel-electric locomotives such as the EURO 4000 – the most powerful diesel-electric locomotive in Europe. In addition, the company also develops and produces innovative metro trains, trams and Train-Trams at its headquarters in Valencia, and has established a strong market position in these areas. Rail Vehicles posted an annual turnover of EUR 223.2 million in 2014, and a turnover of EUR 182.4 million for the first nine months of 2015.

The takeover will also see Stadler Rail gain a foothold in new, Spanish-speaking markets around the world, with Rail Vehicles providing Stadler Rail access to markets on the Iberian peninsula, in South and Central America and in Africa.

Furthermore, this strategic move by Stadler Rail is a response to the consolidation wave caused by the merger of CNR and CSR to form the giant CRRC in China. The takeover of Rail Vehicles offers Stadler Rail the chance to consolidate its position in the European market.

An experienced management team
Thomas Ahlburg, Deputy CEO of the Stadler Rail Group, declared: “I am delighted that we have been able to take this step and integrate a company which not only represents the perfect addition to our product portfolio but also opens the door for us to several new markets. Rail Vehicles is an innovative company with a real competitive edge in the area of diesel-electric locomotives, and we are fortunate to be inheriting a highly experienced and motivated management and engineering crew.”

Hans Martin Schabert, CEO of Vossloh, added: “We are very pleased to have found such an experienced, respected and reliable buyer in Stadler Rail, and are convinced that the expertise, experience and company philosophies of both vehicle specialists complement each other perfectly. Being part of the Stadler Rail Group will afford Rail Vehicles great prospects for future development.”

New Division Latin for Stadler Rail
Stadler Rail is planning to integrate the Valencia location and its approximately 850 employees into the Group as the new Division Latin. The site has also been earmarked for a new competence centre for locomotive construction.

Read all about Vossloh Locomotives' product portfolio in our dedicated section.

On October 30, Pesa announced that it had delivered the last of 10 Gama 111Db diesel locomotives to PKP Intercity. All 10 are now in service.

(Maciej Malec)

With the delivery of Europorte 4038, Vossloh has completed the delivery of another batch of four EURO 4000 locomotives to Europorte. In total, the operator now operates 24 EURO 4000 locomotives, eight of which leased from Beacon Rail Leasing.

However, the delivery of 4038 to Europorte does not mean this is the last of its type for the French operator. In 2016, a last batch of four locomotives will join Europorte's fleet, raising the number of EURO 4000 locomotives in the fleet to 28.

(Thierry Leleu)

Israel Railways JT24BW locomotive 738 is one of several locomotives of its type to have been repainted into a silver and blue livery. As far as we are aware of, at least 731, 733, 737 and 738 carry the new livery, replacing the original red/white/blue livery (see image).

(Klaus Hentschel / Daniel Berg)

Something we will see a lot more in the future: DB and NAH.SH Multi Engine TRAXX diesels together at Westerland (Sylt).

(Nahne Johannsen)

...but not at the same time. Yesterday, Paribus>NAH.SH 245 210-0 completed its maiden run and today it was 245 211-8's turn to do the same (see images).

(Christian Klotz)

Freightliner 66420 has received a repaint into the Freighliner PowerHaul livery. Previously, the loco operated in a debranded DRS livery with Freightliner logos. For an image of the freshly painted locomotive, see here: link.

Eventhough the unloading of 68016 and 68017 was delayed for a few hours, it happened as planned on October 26. Because on-board lifting equipment and dockside cranes were not available, a heavy mobile crane was used to lift the locomotives out of the ship's hold.

The locomotives have been delivered in their blue base livery. DRS stickers and service numbers will be added by the operator at a later moment. Transfer of the locomotives towards the DRS depot at Carlisle Kingmoor was provided with class mate 68004.

(Brian Garvin)

In the past couple of days, six new Traxx DE ME locomotives were transferred up north in pairs. In the evening of October 26th, 245 202 and 204 were delivered to Paribus/NAH.SH, followed by 245 205 and 206 on the 27th. Today, also 245 207 and 208 started their journey towards the north. Interestingly, when 245 205 and 206 were on their way to Husum, they were used to help out a defective ICE which had stranded between Hannover and Göttingen.

(Christian Klotz/Brian Garvin)

The black 8653-01 has received golden Beacon Rail Leasing logos recently, as can be seen here: link. Also, the Vehicle Keeper Marking has been changed to D-BRLL.

In July, Beacon Rail Leasing announced the acquisition of 27 diesel locomotives (10x Siemens EuroRunner and 17x EMD Class 66) from MRCE. On July 16, ownership of a first batch of 10 locomotives was transferred to Beacon Rail, but 8653-01 was not part of this initial batch. So, it appears that ownership of the remaining 17 locomotives is now gradually being transferred to Beacon Rail as well.

Yesterday, the CLEX composition with 223 144 was present at Leipzig Hauptbahnhof as part of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the city's main station.

(Sven P.)

HHPI 29009 left the Netherlands today. The locomotive travelled back to Germany via the border station of Bad Bentheim in a colourful train consisting of LOCON 9908, HHPI 29009 and LOCON 1601.

Sometimes an image deserves a little extra attention. For example this first image of SETRAG CC 403 made by Nicolas Villenave, showing the locomotive in Owendo, Gabon. It is one of six Class 66 locomotives delivered to the Gabonese operator in the period 2011-2012.

The first two locomotives (CC 401-402) were originally built for Crossrail Benelux in 2008 as part of a batch of four, but never delivered to the Belgian operator. Instead, the two were sold to SETRAG and modified by NedTrain in Rotterdam in 2011. The locos had already been shipped to the Netherlands in 2009 and had been in store for two years.

Another four locomotives (CC 403-406) were built in the new Progress Rail locomotive manufacturing facility in Muncie and delivered directly to SETRAG. These four machines were the first Class 66 locomotive that were built in the US after the EMD facility in London, Canada had been closed.

Yesterday, the DOUWE-S docked in the port of Workington with the first two Class 68 locomotives of the second batch on-board: 68016 and 68017. It has been indicated that unloading the locomotives is most likely to happen on the 26th.

We are currently working hard to finish all the visuals for the final design of Class 66 poster and aim to have the poster ready in time for Christmas. Soon, we will also start the pre-sale for the poster, which will feature Class 66 locomotives in nearly 150 different liveries!

A nice portrait of the recently repainted DB Schenker 67015 leading the 3J93 Toton to Toton RHTT (Rail Head Treatment Train) with class mate 67028 on the rear.

(Richard Gennis)

After having been evaluated by the Bentheimer Eisenbahn since October 9, Vectron DE locomotive 247 903 returned to Siemens in München-Allach today.

(Christian Klotz)

A rare sight in Germany: one of the seven Class 66 locomotives hired by VFLI from Akiem. VFLI 77504 is currently in Hattingen awaiting maintenance.

(Axel Schaer)

A second Multi Engine TRAXX for DB Fernverkehr has recently been outshopped by Bombardier in Kassel: 245 022. And today, the brand new locomotive showed itself outside the gates.

Unlike the 20 Multi Engine locos for DB Regio, the DB Fernverkehr locomotives have LED front lights and a higher power rating. 245 021-027 are equipped with four 600kW diesel engines each, delivering 2400kW in total. With 2252kW, the DB Regio locomotives are nearly 150kW less powerful.

(Christian Klotz)

Construction of the second batch of Class 68 locomotives for Direct Rail Services (leased from Beacon Rail Leasing) is in an advanced stage. Of the ten locos of the second batch, the first two are now making their way to the UK by ship: 68016 and 68017. The Dutch ship DOUWE-S, which has the two new machines on board, can be followed on MarineTraffic.com: link.

According to Rail Business, Raildox has purchased a second TRAXX DE locomotive from Bombardier. The German operator already operates former stock locomotive 76 109, which will be joined by the second TRAXX DE on November 1. The locomotive will also carry the blue/orange livery as carried by 76 109.

MLD: Currently, there are only two stock locomotives left of an original batch of 15: 76 110 and 76 111. The hire of 76 110 by Pressnitztalbahn from Bombardier has recently ended with the delivery of 76 001-004 (285 101-104) to PRESS and the locomotive is in Kassel now, so it is a likely candidate to become Raildox's second TRAXX DE.

(Rail Business)

Today, the brand new Paribus 245 208-4 showed itself outside the Bombardier works for its maiden run. Production of the 15 new TRAXX Multi Engine locomotives for Paribus / NAH.SH has passed the halfway point and seems to be on schedule for the start of the 2016 timetable in December.

(Christian Klotz)

Today at Chemnitz Hauptbahnhof: Anyone who is interested can have a look at the new Chemnitz-Leipzig Express (CLEX) of the Mitteldeutsche Regiobahn (MRB / Transdev).

(Maik Gutjahr)

On 15.10.2015, DB Regio 245 008 has returned to Kassel, damaged. The locomotive crashed into a car on 03.10.2015 in Thalham (line München – Simbach).

(Christian Klotz)

Currently, Bentheimer Eisenbahn is evaluating Vectron DE locomotive 247 903 and in the last couple of days we received some very nice impressions of the locomotive:

(Fokko van der Laan / Michael Raucheisen / Marco Rodenburg / Martijn Schokker / Henk Zwoferink)

On October 12, the brand new 245 021 of DB Fernverkehr had its first outings on car shuttles to and from Sylt. The locomotive was used to power two shuttle pairs to and from the island that day.

(Andreas Melchert)

The images above show Transdev 223 144 in a slightly enhanced livery. Note the yellow beam on the front of the locomotive and the Mitteldeutsche Regiobahn (MRB) logos. The loco, two intermediate wagons and a driving trailer were on a test run on October 12 and will be used for CLEX (Chemnitz-Leipzig Express) services from December. It has been indicated that the loco has been sold by IntEgro to Transdev Regio Ost for this purpose.

(René Große / Marcel Dreiling / Sven P.)

Siemens USA has started with the production of the first Charger diesel locomotive at its Sacramento facility. Recently, Cummins already shipped the engine for this first passenger diesel.

Charger #locomotive production in #Sacramento begins with #manufacturing the fuel tank section of the vehicle pic.twitter.com/BTfxhvJjFB

— SiemensUSA (@SiemensUSA) 12 oktober 2015

(Siemens)

Beacon Rail has taken over various diesel locomotives from MRCE recently. The Beacon Rail logo is gold colored, which has poor contrast on the silver and yellow livery of some of the ex-Dispolok logos. On black, however, the new logos work out fine, as this picture of ER 20-013 shows.

(Martin Priebs)

Bombardier Kassel is finalizing the production of Traxx DE Multi Engine locomotives for Paribus > NAH.SH. Various machines were seen outside the factory this week, among them the 245 202, 205, 209, 210, 211 and 213. More locomotives should be around, as only 245 201 and 203 are reported being in northern Germany for test runs.

It is expected that first revenue services with these locomotives should start soon, both in push pull and sandwich operation.

Our first image of DB Fernverkehr 245 021 which will be used for car shuttles to and from Sylt. Currently, the locomotive is used for driver instruction.

(Martin Priebs)

CZ LOKO has received type approval for its Class 741.7 diesel locomotive in Poland. The press release as released by the Czech manufacturer:

Krzysztof Dyl, the President of the Rail Transport Authority in Poland, approved the 741.7 class locomotive modernised by CZ LOKO for operation in Poland on 25 September 2015. A difficult three year approval process led to document Nr PL 51 2015 0013, which enables this locomotive to operate as a shunting and main line service vehicle on the 1 435 mm gauge.

“The approval process of the 741.7 was challenging for the designers, technologists, technical document creators, and production. To complete the process, the locomotive underwent necessary modifications to fulfil many tests and examinations on Polish tracks and test circuit. The complexity of approving and certifying railway vehicles in Poland is well-known throughout Europe. By achieving certification under updated legislation, CZ LOKO is fully prepared to offer locomotives of additional classes with full certification to Central European railway operators. The 741.7 locomotive is being successfully operated in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, and Italy.” Martin Svercl, CZ LOKO’s Export Manager explains.

(CZ LOKO)

Last night, Vectron DE no. 247 903 arrived in Bad Bentheim. In the coming days, Bentheimer Eisenbahn (DE) will evaluate the locomotive. During the services, the Vectron may even touch some Dutch soil... a first.

(Henk Zwoferink)

Pressnitztalbahn 285 104 is out. The loco was seen yesterday in Kassel:

Meanwhile, the first tests with Fennia Rail 774 711-6 / Dr18 101 have started in Finland. A nice report can be found on Vaunut.org: link.

First time we see this: a Multi Engine Traxx for NAH.SH pushing a NOB passenger train (NOB 81723) from Westerland (Sylt) to Hamburg-Altona.

These images are from 30.07.2015, not from 06.10.2015. Sorry for the confusion. Nevertheless they show Paribus 245 202 together with 205 in Kassel. From what we know, unit 245 202 is outshopped after 245 203 and 204 because its body was damaged during transport by truck from Poland to Kassel. (Christian Klotz)

(Christian Klotz)

Just like MRCE ER 20-003, ER 20-005 has returned from Slovenia where it was on hire to SŽ as 645-005. This post on DSO shows some images of the locomotive behind RailAdventure 139 558.

EVB is currently standardising the service numbers of its locomotives. Of the EuroRunner locomotives it owns, 420 14 was renumbered into 223 034 in September and meanwhile also 420 13 has lost its original EVB service number in favour of 223 033.

(Andreas Kriegisch)

Cummins has shipped the first QSK95 diesel engine for a Charger diesel locomotive to the Siemens plant in Sacramento, California. The locomotive in which the 16-cylinder engine will be fitted is part of a joint order for more than 30 locomotives for the Departments of Transportation of Illinois, California, Michigan, Missouri and Washington. Read the complete press statement here: link.

(Cummins)

(Marcel Dreiling)

ER 20-011, one of the locomotives recently bought from MRCE by Beacon Rail Leasing, now carries small Beacon Rail logos on its fronts. Also, its registration number now has D-BRLL as vehicle keeper marking instead of D-DISPO.

(Karl Arne Richter / Nahne Johannsen)

On September 19, 66759 was named Chippy and a week later, on September 26, sister locomotive 66757 was named West Somerset Railway. Today, it was 66750's turn when it was named Bristol Panel Signal Box at Bristol Temple Meads.

Today, Siemens 247 902 was used as traction power for tests with a new Vossloh Citylink tram-train for the city of Chemnitz on the German railway network. The image shows the locomotive and the test train in Dresden-Cossebaude. More images here and here.

(Steffen Kliemann)

Earlier this week, we already reported about the delivery of the brand new 4036 and 4037 to Europorte France. We still missed 4035, which arrived at Saint Jory on September 17 already.

Loco 4037 will arrive in Saint Jory on October 15 with a fuel train Miramas-Saint Jory under its own power, similar to 4036 on September 24. The trains not only serve as a way of transfering the loco to Saint Jory, but also provide the opportunity to perform load tests. 4038, the last of this batch of four, will arrive in Saint Jory a week later, on October 22.

(Thierry Leleu)

Meanwhile, homologation runs with ÖBB 2016 090 in Bulgaria have started. The image shows the locomotive on the first day of October near Sofia.

(Konstantin Planinski)

Raildox 76 109 has been given a makeover. Bombardier has restyled the locomotive into Raildox livery, similar to that of the Class 185.2 locomotives the German railfreight operator already operates.

(Christian Klotz)

In 2014, MRCE ER 20-003 was hired to SŽ (as 645-003) to help out on Slovenian railway lines where the overhead power had been taken out due to ice rain. Last monday (September 28) the locomotive started its journey back to Germany.

(Christian Tscharre)

LTE has recently been seen operating Vectron DE locomotive 247 902: link. It is the fourth operator to do so. Austrian operators WLC and RTS preceeded LTE by also operating 247 902 for some time, while German operator Lappwaldbahn evaluated the type by operating 247 903 between September 9 and September 18.

420 14 is the first of the four EVB EuroRunners to have been renumbered. It now carries the designation 223 034. An image of the loco with its new service number can be found here: link.

New transport contracts require new motive power; Hector Rail is talking about new locomotives. Bombardier's Traxx locomotives are in the running here, but the specific types still need to be defined. Lately, we already saw Hector Rail testing the Traxx DE ME for its trains.

On September 27, Europorte 4037 was captured on camera by Thierry Leleu at Perpignan Saint-Charles. This was its first day on French tracks.

(Thierry Leleu)

DSO shows us the first pictures of a Traxx DE Multi Engine locomotive for DB Fernverkehr.

The red locomotive, the designated 245 021 is the first of seven ordered to take for the Sylt shuttle services of DB Fernverkehr, replacing the good old DB 218s. Note that the 245 021 has no destination displays, a distinctive difference compared to DB Regio 245 001-020.

Yesterday, GBRf 66757 was named West Somerset Railway.

Today, ÖBB 2016 090 arrived in Bulgaria, where the locomotive will be performing homologation runs.

(Krassen Panev)

The delivery of four EURO 4000 locomotives ordered by Europorte France in 2014 has commenced. On September 24, Europorte 4036 arrived in Saint Jory after having arranged her own transfer by taking over fuel train N°489441 Miramas - St Jory in Narbonne, making this her first official service.

Sister locomotive 4037 arrived in France in the morning of September 27.

(Thierry Leleu)

After a long journey through Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, Fennia Rail 101 (774 711-6) arrived in Finland on September 22. An image of the locomotive on Finnish soil can be found here > link.

On Saturday September 26, GB Railfreight 66757 will be named 'West Somerset Railway'.

Looking forward to naming our 66757 locomotive 'West Somerset Railway' on Saturday - 26th September @WSomRailway http://t.co/0FHJ4NGfTH

— GB Railfreight (@GBRailfreight) 21 september 2015

On Saturday September 19, GBRf 66759 was named 'Chippy', in remembrance of Clive Chippington. Clive was an Assistant Train Manager with GB Railfreight who unexpectedly passed away earlier this year.

We don't see much of this locomotive, but today we received proof that it is still going strong. This image by Julian Mandeville shows the TRAINKOS 2640 010 with a Mercia Charters tour at Priluzje on Saturday 19th September.

This JT38CW-DC locomotive is the sole of its kind and is not completely new. In fact, the locomotive is a former GM G16CW, rebuilt by TŽV Gredelj in 2010. The locomotive has only inherited the Westinghouse L26 breaking system and the bogies with traction motors as requested by the Kosovo Railways.

GBRf 66750 has lost its Beacon Rail blue livery with orange logos and numbers (see image) and has been painted into the latest GB Railfreight livery. A picture of the fresh looking loco can be found here: link.

(Chris South)

In August, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) decided to order eight Charger diesel locomotives from Siemens. The 200 km/h passenger diesels will replace ten type AEM7 and HHP8 electrics, which are used for MARC (Maryland Area Regional Commuter) passenger services. Last week, Maryland's Board of Public Works approved the $58.1 million contract.

The decision to replace the electrics has been made because Amtrak, which provides maintenance to the MARC fleet since 1983, has retired its own HHP8 electrics and will see its AEM7s replaced by Siemens ACS-64 Cities Sprinter electrics. In late 2017 the first Chargers should take over from the older electrics.

MTA will order the Chargers in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Transportation, which closed a framework contract for Charger diesel locomotives with Siemens in 2014. The deal between the Illinois DOT and Siemens consists of firm orders for 32 Chargers and options for another 225 machines. Eight of the 225 options will now be firmed up for MTA.

MTA's decision to buy Charger diesel locomotives is another success for Siemens on the North American market for locomotives. Not only was the Illinois DOT deal good for 32 locomotives (+225 options), also All Aboard Florida decided to add Chargers to its fleet by ordering 10 machines (+10 options). Furthermore, Siemens is currently delivering 70 ACS-64 Cities Sprinter electrics to Amtrak and in June the manufacturer was able to add an order by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) for 13 electrics (+5 options) to be delivered in 2018.

According to MDR Thüringen, Deutsche Bahn AG has hired two of the recently delivered TRAXX DE locomotives from Pressnitztalbahn: 285 101-5 and 285 102-4.

The two machines will serve as rescue locos on the Erfurt-Halle/Leipzig high speed line, for example to rescue trains that have stranded due to catenary damage.

Currently, the locos are used for driver training and route learning on the brand new line, which will enter service on December 13. Especially for their rescue duties, the locos have been equipped with automatic couplers.

DRS 66430 has been repainted into the basic DRS livery that is also carried by 66421, 66426, 66429 and 66434. An image of the locomotive in its new livery can be found here: link.

On September 18, 247 903 returned to Siemens in München-Allach as train "Tfzf(D) 92037 Weferlingen - München-Allach". The loco has been evaluated by Lappwaldbahn since September 9.

According to this thread on the DSO forum, Siemens 247 902 is currently on test with RTS Rail Transport Service from Austria. Previously, the locomotive was also evaluated by WLC.

Update: Siemens confirms this information >

We have been getting some reports that images are not showing in some of the locomotives' profiles, eventhough they are showing in the daily picture update and in the My Gallery section. We are working on it to get this fixed as soon as possible.

Update: the bug has been fixed.

On September 11, ITL 250 007-2 suffered severe fire damage. According to the Bundespolizei, the fire was a result of an explosion in the engine of the locomotive. A video report showing the damaged locomotive can be found here: link. The image shows the locomotive in better days.

On September 9, Vectron DE locomotive 247 903 passed through Kahla (Thüringen). It now appears the locomotive was heading north for a period of evaluation by the Lappwaldbahn (LWB). Meanwhile, we also received the following image showing the loco in service for LWB. The locomotive is easily recognizable, having LWB stickers on the front and sides of its cabs.

(Christian Klotz / Heiko Meyer)

Last weekend we received two impressions of CZ LOKO's 774.7 from the Czech Republic. The first one shows 774.7F (Finnish version) locomotive 774 711 for Finnish open access operator Fennia Rail.

Of course, the three locomotives that are soon to be delivered to Fennia Rail are not the first of the type. In the Czech Republic, also Sokolovská uhelná (launching customer of the type) operates three 774.7 locomotives (774 701-703), of which 774 702 can be seen in the second image. Furthermore, SD - Kolejová doprava operates one locomotive (774 704).

(Aleš Bílek)

Also want to contribute your images to MainlineDiesels.net, but need some help? It only takes a fews steps:

According to a report on DSO, two PowerHaul locomotives are on the move again. Together with a PKP Taurus, locomotives DE 29006 and 29008 (II) stranded behind RailAdventure 103 222 in Finsterwalde due to a hot box on one of the locomotives on September 4.

Update: On September 6, 103 222 and the two diesels were sighted at Nürnberg Hbf. The reason for the move is still unknown to us.

Today, 285 103-3, the third of four Traxx DE locomotives for Pressnitztalbahn, showed itself outside the Bombardier works in Kassel.

(Christian Klotz)

GBRf 66711 Sense has recently been fitted with the newer style cab windows that her sisters have already received. Due to the installation of the windows, she will require her recently applied Aggregate Industries livery to be brushed "repaired" around the cabs.

Update: Recent image of 66711 with window mods added, with thanks to Richard Gennis. cabs.

(Chris South / Richard Gennis)

After having been evaluated in Denmark and Sweden by Hector Rail, TRAXX Multi Engine locomotive 245 204-3 arrived back in Kassel today.

(Christian Klotz)

At the DB Schenker workshop in Toton, DB Schenker 67013 has exchanged its silver Chiltern Railways livery for a DB Schenker 'Verkehrsrot' livery. An image of the loco in its new livery can be found here: link.

After SU160-004, also SU160-005 has been delivered to and entered service with PKP Intercity.

With passenger train from Bialystok to Gdynia / Damian.Szarek http://t.co/ozLPPRk3P3 pic.twitter.com/4NXGQMPDfq

— Trainspo (@trainspo) 30 augustus 2015

Austrian railfreight operator WLC is currently evaluating the Vectron DE. The loco in question is 247 902, the second Vectron DE locomotive built by Siemens.

On August 27, CZ LOKO presented its 100th modernized six-axle locomotive: the future 774 713-2 / Dr18 103. Locomotive 774 712-4 / Dr18 102 was present outside for the invitees to take a look at.

Interestingly, Fennia Rail's locomotives will be transported over land to Finland. On temporary bogies the locomotives will be transported through Slovakia until they reach the border with Ukraine. From there on, the locos will travel on their final 1520 mm bogies through the Ukraine, Belarus and Russia to Finland.

(CZ LOKO)

Meanwhile, CZ Loko has completed a second 774.7F locomotive for Finnish open access freight operator Fennia Rail after it had recently outshopped loco 774 711-6. Just like 774 711-6, 774 712-4 has been equipped with temporary 1435 mm bogies to allow for test runs on Czech tracks. The image shows 774 712-4 on a test run near the Czech town of Hradec nad Svitavou.

The Finnish operator has ordered three of the type in total. In Finland, the locomotives will be numbered as Dr 18 101-103.

(Jiří Štembírek)

DB Schenker's Toton workshop has given 66058 a fresh paint job. The loco now sports the DB Schenker "verkehrsrot" livery. After its repaint, the loco received the name 'Derek Clark'. An image of the loco in its new livery can be found here: link.

A long long way from home. Future Paribus/NAH.SH locomotive 245 204 is currently on trial on the Hotingrailway in Sweden. The machine runs from Forsmo to Hoting vv.

Earlier the Multi Engine locomotive was also tested in combination with Hector Rail's class 241 Traxx AC2 electrics. An interesting image report of the tests in Sweden can be found on DSO (link).

In South Africa, one of PRASA's brand new AFRO 4000 locomotives derailed together with a part of its train in the early morning of August 19. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the locomotive has suffered heavy damage and a large number of people was injured. Images of the derailed locomotive can be found here: link.

Update: According to this image report (link) on the Friends of the Rail Forum, the loco in question was AFRO4010.

(Jararandafm.com / Malcolm Wilton-Jones)

2016 901 and 2016 902 of the Steiermärkischen Landesbahnen have been repainted into a similar white and green livery as carried by 223 004. Logos and numbers are still to come!

(Styria-Mobile)

This image (link) shows that PKP IC's most recent addition to its fleet of Gama diesel locomotives (PKP IC SU160-004) has entered service. Thanks for the tip Karl Arne Richter!

Hector Rail has not only evaluated the performance of Traxx Multi Engine locomotive 245 204-3 in combination with Traxx AC2 locomotives with the latter acting as driving trailers. The company has also used the machine to pull freight trains on its own, as the image above by Peter Frost shows.

(Peter Frost)

The image shows 333.321-8, one of eight 333.3 locomotives belonging to Spanish leasing company Renfe AMF which was formed as part of the Renfe restructuring program. Since June, the loco is on hire to Acciona.

(Javier López Ortega)

At Eastleigh Works, the repaint of GBRf 66715 has been completed. An image of the loco in its new guise can be found here: link.

(Chris South)

It has been indicated that delivery of the next two Gama diesel locomotives for PKP Intercity is imminent. SU160-004 has been sighted with an in-service date of 30.07.2015 and that PKP IC SU160-005 is nearing completion.

According to various sources, Bombardier's customer Hector Rail wants to know if the operator can successfully use a Traxx DE ME locomotive in mixed traction with its Class 241 series electrics. Now a vital part of the Danish network north of Padborg is temporarily without catenary, there is an excellent opportunity to test this.

On the sections without overhead power, 245 204 is used to pull the freight trains while being controlled from the Class 241 Traxx AC2 in front of it. Various impressions of the Multi Engine Traxx during combined operations can be found here (link) and here (link).

The Hector Rail 241 in these images is technically used as driving trailer. Its pantographs are down and locked. The main switch is off. Tractive effort comes 100% from the NAH.SH 245 204 with is controlled from the cabin of the 241. So, there is no driver in the cab of the diesel locomotive.

Although unconfirmed, it has been indicated that after testing in Denmark has been completed 245 204 will also pay Sweden a visit.

(Martin Drube / Martin Greiner / Andreas Staal)

In 2003, Bombardier delivered ten Blue Tiger locomotives to KTMB from Malaysia: 26101-26120. KTMB named all locomotives after local capes. For example: 26107 is named Tanjung Karang (Cape Karang) and 26117 is named Tanjung Sepat (Cape Sepat). Special thanks to Malcolm Wilton-Jones for these first images of KTMB Blue Tigers on the website.

The first of three CZ LOKO 774.7F locomotives for Finnish railfreight start-up Fennia Rail has given Velim a visit. On July 26, Fennia Rail 774.711-6 / 101 could be seen performing a number of test runs at the Czech test centre. Images of the tests can be found here: link.

Two shots of PCW 9 busy with rolling stock movements near the Wegberg-Wildenrath testing facility in Germany. On July 29, the loco had two intermediate coaches for DB's new ICx multiple units behind it. On August 3, PCW 9 transported Velaro e320 multiple unit 4017/4018 for Eurostar away from the test centre. The latter had just started its trip to London.

(Wolfgang Scheer / Jeroen de Vries)

It is official now: the cargo version of the Vectron DE has received authorization for the Austrian railway network. The loco was already certified for Germany, allowing the locomotive to be used within and between the two countries.

Our #Vectron DE #locomotive receives #authorization for #Austria. pic.twitter.com/JHy525fuiE

— RollingOnRails (@RollingOnRails) 3 augustus 2015

(Siemens)

Crossrail DE 6308 is back in service after having been repaired from the damage it suffered on May 9, when the loco was involved in an accident at Zeebrugge.

DRS 66428 was involved in a head-tail collision between two engineering trains at New Cummock on August 1. The collision resulted in severe cab damage for 66428 and caused the loco (and various wagons) to derail. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident.

Exclusive: Two engineering trains collide near Cumnock in Ayrshire Full story: http://t.co/BWSd2AAgHh pic.twitter.com/LTDC7edEK3

— Scotsman (@TheScotsman) 1 augustus 2015

On July 21, we reported about the sale of 27 diesel locomotives by MRCE to Beacon Rail Leasing. Part of the agreement are 10 Siemens ER 20 locomotives and 17 EMD Class 66 locomotives, which will see their ownership transferred in two batches. On July 16, the following 10 locomotives were acquired by Beacon Rail:

ER 20
ER 20-001, ER 20-010, ER 20-011, ER 20-012, ER 20-013, ER 20-014

Class 66
513-10, 561-1, 561-5, 653-09

The remaining 17 locomotives will follow later this year. This concerns ER 20 locomotives ER 20-003, ER 20-005, ER 20-008, ER 20-015 and Class 66 locomotives 513-8, 513-9, 561-2, 561-3, 561-4, 8653-01, 653-02, 653-03, 653-04, 653-05, 653-07, 653-08, 653-10.

Note that ER 20-007 is not part of the deal. This loco will remain with MRCE.

(MRCE/Beacon Rail)

PRESS 285 102-4 (the former Bombardier 76 002) showed itself outside the Bombardier works in Kassel today.

(Christian Klotz/Oliver Wadewitz)

Meanwhile, the test and crew training runs with NAH.SH 245 201-9 are still continuing between Hamburg and Westerland (Sylt).

(Marcus Alf)

The first image in our database of Railtraxx 266 118-9 with Railtraxx logos. Railtraxx 266 035-5 is decorated in a similar way. Both locos are stilll property of MRCE, but will become property of Beacon Rail Leasing later this year as part of a second batch of locos sold by MRCE to Beacon Rail.

(Peter Dircks)

This morning, Hector Rail 241.005 arrived in Kassel Rangierbahnhof to pick up a locomotive in complementary colours: Paribus 245 204 for NAH.SH.

The route of these machines: Krefeld - Dortmund - Rostock - Trelleborg - Malmö. According to various sources, Bombardier's customer Hector Rail wants to know if the operator can successfully use a Traxx DE ME locomotive in mixed traction with its 241 series electrics. This, because a vital part of the Danish network is temporarily without catenary.

(Christian Klotz)

Vossloh España will deliver another seven UKLight locomotives to the British operator Direct Rail Services (DRS) via Beacon Rail Leasing Limited. These vehicles will be used for both, passenger and freight services. This locomotive - named Class 68 in the United Kingdom - is based on Vossloh’s EuroLight platform and has been adapted to UK gauge and British regulations. “This third contract will bring DRS’ fleet of UKLight locomotives to 32 units as it impressively proves the high trust of DRS and Beacon Rail Leasing into Vossloh” said Iñigo Parra, CEO Vossloh España. The first 15 vehicles already went into passenger and freight services a year ago. The 10 locomotives of the second order will be delivered in the coming months. “The acquisition of the locomotives allows us to continue to grow and to support the needs of our customer and the UK rail market”, said Ted Gaffney, CEO of Beacon Rail Leasing.

(Vossloh)

Vossloh España will supply one EUROLIGHT locomotive to the Italian rail operator Dinazzano Po to be used in freight services. This is the first locomotive contract awarded to the Valencia based company from Italy.

(Vossloh)

On July 24, PRESS 285 101-5 (former Bombardier stock loco 76 001) made a test run from Kassel to Hannover and back. The company has acquired four such machines from Bombardier, the other three locos being 76 002, 003 and 004.

Images of 285 101-5 during its test run can be found here (link) and here (link).

(Christian Klotz, Henk Zwoferink)

(Torsten Klose)

Railtraxx from Belgium has not only decorated the leased 653-08 with logos, but also the leased 513-8 has received them now. Also, it now has service number 266 035-5 on its fronts. An image of the machine can be found here: link.

Beacon Rail Leasing has finalized a deal with MRCE for the purchase of 27 diesel locomotives. Ownership of the first 10 locomotives has already been transferred to Beacon Rail, the remaining 17 locomotives will find their way to Beacon Rail during the next couple of months. The deal concerns 17 EMD Class 66 locomotives and 10 Siemens EuroRunner locomotives. All existing lease contracts of operators with MRCE will be continued under Beacon Rail.

Ted Gaffney, CEO of Beacon Rail Leasing, states: "Acquiring this portfolio of diesel locomotives is in line with our strategy, growth ambitions, and our commitment to being the leader in this segment of the market. It adds to our existing fleet of heavy diesel locomotives. Our current fleet includes a significant number of Class 66 locomotives, so this acquisition allows us to continue to leverage our existing skills, expertise and experience to better serve the needs of our customers and the market. The acquisition of the ER20 locomotives expands our reach deeper into western and central Europe, so we are very pleased with this transaction."

“For more than 10 years we have had a strong position in the European railway market.” stated Masayoshi Hosoya, CEO of MRCE. “This strong position comes from differentiated technical expertise and strong relationships with our clients. Those strengths have been helping us to build a portfolio which is prepared for the future. MRCE is constantly working on improving its services and locomotive fleet and for this reason we decided to sell these locomotives and to invest in core assets. With this transaction we believe we are creating a win-win situation for both companies involved. It allows MRCE to focus more on enhancing our core competencies of technical services and capturing the fast-growing demand of the locomotive lease market.”

(MRCE)

Railtraxx 653-08 has received Railtraxx logos as can be seen here: link. Note that the loco also has got its MRCE number 653-08 replaced and now has 266 118-9 on its fronts.

(Henk Zwoferink)

It is going fast now. Recently we reported that only 66707, 66708 and 66715 were still awaiting makeover from the origingal GB Railfreight livery (without "Europorte style" logos) into the latest one. Meanwhile, 66707 has been released from Eastleigh Works after having its livery updated. An image of the loco in its new guise can be found here: link.

In the meantime, GBRf 66715 has entered the paintshop at Eastleigh Works, soon leaving 66708 as sole representative of its Class carrying the original GBRf livery. Of course, there still is 66701 in a variant on the original livery, having Europorte style logos on its cabs.

These locos have also received the cab window upgrade like other members of the fleet. Leaving only 66711, and 66738 to 66746 with the older 3 section windows. (59003 also retains this window style).

(Chris South)

On July 17, GBRf 66761 was named at the Wensleydale Railway. There it received the name "Wensleydale Railway Association 25 years 1990-2015".

(GB Railfreight)

Recently, Vectron DE 247 901 received the internal designation PCW 9. The image shows the loco and its new numbers, while pulling half a Class 700 Desiro City EMU for Thameslink.

(Jeroen de Vries)

(Thierry Mazoyer)

DRS 66426 (left image) has been sighted in the same basic DRS livery as carried by 66421 (right image) and 66434.

(Jack Meakin)

SŽ has hired in a second EuroRunner from MRCE. The machine in question is ER 20-005. Just like ER 20-003 (SŽ 645-003) it now also carries a Slovenian service number: SŽ 645-005. An image of the loco can be found here: link.

(Miro Marolt)

PKP IC SU160-002 made its first run with InterCity train Światowid (Szczecin)-Rzeszów-Zamość on July 1, 2015. This video shows the loco with the return train (IC Kossak) at Rzeszów the following day:

PKP IC SU160-003 also made its first run with InterCity train Światowid (Szczecin)-Rzeszów-Zamość on July 2, 2015. This video shows the loco with the return train (IC Kossak) at Rzeszów the following day:

(Dariusz Pisz)

Recently seen in Kassel: Bombardier stock locomotive no. 76 001 in a new, blue livery.

Now, 76 001 has received company of another Traxx DE in a blue livery. Unconfirmed information tells us the Pressnitztalbahn has acquired the machines. This matches the blue color.

Update: It has been indicated that 76 002 is the second blue locomotive.

Meanwhile, a third Gama diesel locomotive for PKP Intercity has been sighted. With the delivery of SU160-003, three such units are now in service for the Polish long distance passenger operator.

(Dariusz Pisz)

Not only TSO is involved in the construction of the Tours-Bordeaux high speed line, but also ETF is busy here with its EURO 4000 locomotives and the Class 66 locos hired in from MRCE.

(André Grouillet)

Working to reduce road movements with the unveiling of our new #locomotive Sence with @GBRailfreight pic.twitter.com/EV2HScQhyr

— Aggregate Industries (@AggregateUK) 2 juli 2015

On July 2, GB Railfreight 66711 was named Sence at Aggregate Industries' quarry in Bardon Hill. The name Sence refers to the River Sence, which has its source just north of the quarry. Because the river runs through a part of the quarry extension area, Aggregate Industries will divert the river around it.

Track laying work on the Tours-Bordeaux high speed line is progressing and the TSO Prima locomotives (hired from Akiem) play an important role here:

(André Grouillet)

That Rail Cargo Group is expanding its business into Croatia is no secret. The company has already received type approval for Class 1063 electric locomotives and is refitting some of its Class 1116 electrics with a third pantograph to also get them approved for the Croatia. Now also a Class 2016 diesel has arrived in the country for homologation trials: 2016 081. Just like sister locomotives 2016 082-085, 081 is currently approved for Germany, Austria and Slovenia.

(Karl Arne Richter / Julian Mandeville / zagi988zap on Youtube)

Today, the first locomotive for Finnish start-up Fennia Rail was on test on Czech tracks. Built by CZ LOKO, 774.711 is the first of three similar locomotives for the Finnish operator. Interestingly, the loco now runs on temporary standard gauge bogies. For service in Finland, it will be fitted with 1524 mm bogies.

(Jiří Štembírek)

We had reported about it some time ago, but we did not have a good image of the locomotive in its new livery yet. Thanks to Wolfgang Posch, we have one now:

(Martin Greiner / Wolfgang Posch)

Currently, Polish operator Pol-Miedź-Trans is testing the Gama demonstrator locomotive in everyday practice. The image shows the locomotive hauling a train of kaolin clay from Sobótka quarry towards Wrocław. The supporting locomotive is SM42-2477.

(Norbert Łasak)

The image shows HHPI 29009 at Maarn during a detection run. The certification process of the PH37ACai PowerHaul locomotive for the Netherlands is still on-going.

(Marc Kessen)

As of this week, you can play around with the various locomotives of lease company Akiem. Crearail, the creative agency behind Railcolor and MLD has completed a custom designed interactive locomotive portfolio of all the machines that Akiem has to offer: Traxx, Prima, Vossloh G1000, the light Y8000 shunters from France and many more. Click here to go to the tool.

Crearail is a railway centered design agency and consulting company. It combines extensive railway market expertise and industrial design engineering skills, including livery design, UI/UX design and publishing.

Rynek Kolejowy reports that on June 16 Gama diesel locomotive SU160-001 officially entered passenger service for PKP Intercity.

(Rynek-Kolejowy.pl)

Of the ten Akiem BB75300 locomotives destined for hire to SNCF Intercités from December 2015, nine have now been renumbered from the BB75000 into the new BB75300 number series. The latest addition to the BB75300 series is 75340, the former 75340.

The BB75300 series now exists of: 75320, 75323, 75326, 75328, 75329, 75330, 75333, 75340 and 75341.

GBRf 66702 has been released from the paint shop. Now only 66707, 66708 & 66715 remain in the original GBRf colour scheme.

(Howard Lewsey/Chris South)

(Vincent Torterotot/Sylvain Assez)

If all goes as planned, HHPI 29009 will resume its homologation runs between Maarn and Driebergen tonight. Around 8 PM, Rotterdam Rail Feeding is scheduled to bring the locomotive from Roosendaal to Maarn.

Update: an action shot of the transport can be found here: link.

(Rail Magazine Facebook)

Siemens 247 902, the second of its type, still resides at the VUZ test centre in Velim. Currently, many modern locomotives and trainsets are present there, such as the new Twindexx for SBB, the new ICx for DB Fernverkehr, Bombardier/Railpool 187 001-3 and Bombardier's Omneo. Pictures can be found here: link.

(DSO)

Last week, HHPI 29009 performed a number of detection runs in the Netherlands. A year ago, HHPI 29008 was also in the Netherlands, but for testing of the ATB train protection system. The picture shows 29009 on May 25 at Maarn Goederen, where it was awaiting a new night of test runs.

After a period of testing, the locomotive was transported to Roosendaal, where it remained until at least the morning of June 4. If and when the locomotive will be (or has been) moved abroad again is still unclear to us.

(Marc Kessen/Henk Zwoferink)

Another Akiem Prima diesel locomotive has been rebuilt and renumbered into the BB 75300 number series for lease to SNCF Intercités from December 2015. Akiem 75041 is now Akiem 75341. There are now eight such locomotives, which means that there are still two locos awaiting a retrofit.

Up until last week, Chiltern Railways still operated one Class 67 locomotive: 67014. On May 27, the loco operated its last two trains before being taken of its set of passenger coaches at Wembley Depot:

- 1H53 1255 Birmingham Moor St to London Marylebone
- 1R55 1647 London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street

The loco has been handed back to DB Schenker and has been seen operating freight trains again. All of Chiltern's loco-hauled trains are now operated by Class 68s on hire from DRS.

(Julian Mandeville)

Today, Freightliner 66528 was named "Madge Elliot MBE - Borders Railway Opening 2015" to honour Madge Elliot, who is renowned for her campaining efforts for reopening the Waverley Line (Edinburgh-Carlisle). In September, the line section between Edinburgh and Tweedbank will be reopened under its new name: the Borders Railway.

Madge Elliot MBE in front of her @FLHeavyHaul loco and with Cabinet Secretary @KeithBrownMSP #bordersrailway pic.twitter.com/XC0qOWIpLn

— Borders Railway (@BordersRailway) 4 juni 2015

Four service numbers in one month, it is possible: the first Gama diesel locomotive for PKP Intercity was delivered as 111Db-002, which subsequently changed to SU140-02. Not much later, this service number was updated to SU160-02. Now, the number has changed to SU160-001.

On May 29, 59003 'Yeoman Highlander' worked train 0Z59 10:00 Eastleigh Works to Guildford via Havant with 66717 for assurance. This was a test run and 59003's first working under its own power in the UK for over 15 years.

(Joe Loughlin/Howard Lewsey)

The first Pesa Gama diesel locomotive is currently in Krakow. PKP IC, that received the locomotive from pesa some days ago is preparing it for regular services in its work shops. This includes renumbering, twice. The machine has lost its Pesa designation 111Db-002, being replaced by SU140-02. S stands for Spalinowa, which means diesel, the U stands for uniwersalna, because it is a universal operable locomotives, both for freight and passengers. PKP IC is going to use it for passenger services.

Today we got the information that SU140-02 has been changed again, now the machine is the SU160-02. PKP IC ordered these locomotives with a top speed of 140 kph, but Pesa has built it for 160 kph, hence the change.

(Grzegorz Koclęga)

(Nahne Johannsen)

It is now official: PKP Intercity has taken delivery of the first of ten Gama diesel locomotives from Pesa: 111Db-002. A second locomotive will be delivered later this month, followed by a third one in June. By October, all ten locomotives should be outshopped by Pesa and delivered to PKP Intercity. Read more on Rynek-Kolejowy.pl: link.

(Rynek Kolejowy)

Something we missed: GBRf 66705 "Golden Jubilee" has been repainted into the latest GBRf livery. It has lost the British flags on its flanks in the process.

(Pete Loveday)

Work on GBRf 59003 to return it back on British tracks is continuing steadily at Eastleigh Works. Part of the job is a repaint into the GBRf livery, which should be nearing completion by now.

A GE TE33A Evolution Series diesel locomotive is currently on test with PKP LHS on the Polish broad gauge network. It concerns locomotive TE33A-9999, which arrived in Poland in late April.

(Simon Wijnakker)

SNCB Logistics hired its first Class 66 locomotive on April 30: Ascendos PB 04. Previously, this loco was operated by RheinCargo as  DE 63.

(Stephen van den Brande)

With the restructuring of Renfe, also a ROSCO (rolling stock company or leasing company) was formed: Renfe Alquiler de Material Ferroviario, SA. Renfe 333.319.2 has now received a new livery for Renfe's leasing operations. Additionally, the loco has received Continental Rail logos, identifying the current operator of the locomotive. An image of the loco with its new livery can be found here: link.

Also Renfe 333.313 and 333.321 should be wearing the new Renfe AMF livery now.

(Simon Wijnakker)

ECR 77012 was hired to MEG in January 2015. The loco now also sports MEG logos.

(Heiko Müller)

Finally there is some PowerHaul news again. After HHPI 29008 (II) last year, it is now the turn of sister locomotive 29009 to visit the Netherlands.

On May 17, HHPI 29009 was transported to the German border station of Emmerich. A day later, the loco was transported to Arnhem in the Netherland from where a test run to Maarn Goederen was planned to test the ATB train protection system. However, the test run was cancelled for the day and will be continued on a later date.

(Henk Zwoferink/Simon Wijnakker/Hugo Richter (via Facebook))

Our first shot of this locomotive in three years time. The former MRCE ER 20-009 now looks like this, carrying Express Group logos and its Slovakian service number.

(Axel Schaer)

During the past week, we got the first messages about a new Pesa Gama locomotive, being released from work: 111Db-002. The machine has the same livery as 111Db-001 which was presented last year in Berlin, during InnoTrans 2014.

The 002 is currently seen on the public railnetwork in Poland, together with PKP IC coaches. This image is from Poznan for example. the machine is now on its way to Rzeszów. From there it will be tested on the non-electrified track sections Rzeszów – Stalowa Wola – Zamość and Rzeszów – Jasło – Zagórz. We will closely follow the developments here, of course.

(Emil Domińczak / Grzegorz Koclęga)

Today, a Crossrail intermodal train from Italy ran into a parked freight train with low speed. Fortunately, nobody got injured. The accident happened in the port of Zeebrugge at the Voorhaven West yard. The locomotive involved is Crossrail DE 6308. Images can be found on the website De Standaard: link.

(De Standaard/Henk Zwoferink)

Vectron DE locomotive 247 903 is displayed by Siemens at the Transport Logistic 2015 trade fair in Munich, which is being held until May 8.

(Simon Wijnakker)

(Marcus Schrödter)

GBRf 66741 has been named "Swanage Railway".

RDC Deutschland has recently announced its plans for starting its own car shuttle between Niebüll and Westerland (Sylt) The company has been awarded train paths and has now also started tests with rolling stock. hvle Traxx 246 010-3, an ex-ÖBB 4010 passenger coach composition and a number of flat wagons were used for the trials.

(Nahne Johannsen)

(Peter Lovell)

(Peter Lovell)

The trials with EuroLight 284 002 continue in Italy. The test runs are performed by Vossloh in close cooperation with Dinazzano Po.

(Matteo Lizzi)

LTE 2016 922 (the former MRCE ER 20-006) has exchanged its it yellow/silver Dispolok livery for the blue/silver LTE livery. Additionally, the locomotive has received decorative vinyls on its sides showing blue and red flames, as well as the text "Rock'nRoll - www.LTE-group.eu".

(Karl Kepplinger/Stefan Semlegger)

An image from Maksymilianowo, Poland. It is a nice portrait of Pesa's diesel Gama demonstration locomotive, still having the colours and logos of PKP IC (to which it will not be sold). That day the machine made a test run from Bydgoszcz to Terespol Pomorskie.

(Peter Wilhelm)

On April 27, Beacon Rail>GBRf 66751 received the name 'Inspiration Delivered - Hitachi Rail Europe' to celebrate GB Railfreight's relationship with Hitachi Rail Europe. The locomotive, formerly carrying a Beacon Rail blue livery, was repainted into the latest GB Railfreight livery and fitted with a special retractable coupler for transporting new Hitachi Rail Class 800 IEP trains.

Our 66751 today renamed 'Inspiration Delivered' to celebrate our relationship w @HitachiRailEU http://t.co/hx2ehoHNz5 pic.twitter.com/3vQ4cakHh5

— GB Railfreight (@GBRailfreight) 27 april 2015

(GB Railfreight)

As from today, we know there is a third Vectron DE stock locomotive: 247 903. Is picked u today by the colorful MRCE X4 E - 876 to go to the transport logistic fair in Munich.

(Thomas Stenzel)

Nordic Rail Service (NRS) now owns former SGL Maxima 40 CC V 500.14 (264 009). The acquisition of the locomotive appears to have been completed in February.

(KAR/FP)

On April 22, GBRf 66754 was named 'Northampton Saints' in Wellingborough Yard, The 'Saints' are the Northampton Rugby team. It is the first locomotive in the UK to be named after a Rugby team.

(RG)

This autumn, Slovenian Railways (SZ) intends to release a tender for the acquisition of five diesel locomotives. The diesels will be purchased because of the high operational and exploitation costs of current locomotives.

Paribus>NAH.SH 245 201 is currently a long way from home. It came all the way down from Schlesweg-Holstein to Frankfurt for software tests.

(AH)

On April 18 and 19, GB Railfreight made 66754 available for display at the Barrow Hill "Rarities Diesel Gala. The loco was also used to haul a number of passenger shuttles on the short branch line.

(IF)

Where the EMD revolution started, 59001, now almost 30 years old, one of the first four EMD road locomotives to run in Britain, passsing Crouch Hill in North London, on a heavy train of stone, the 6L21 Whatley Quarry to Dagenham.

(NS)

Freightliner 66528 has been repainted into the Freightliner PowerHaul livery.

66528 in Powerhaul at Brush Loughborough 14/04/15, no G&W branding though, photo by J Sykes pic.twitter.com/HBIxTfczsV

— WNXX (@wnxxuk) 14 april 2015

(JS via WNXX)

Today we celebrate that MainlineDiesels.net exists for two years. Over the past couple over years, the website has grown substantially. Currently, the website has 2.264 vehicles in its database and over 8.300 images.

Of course, we could not have done this by ourselves. All your news, beautiful images, statistics and other contributions have a great share in this. So we would especially like to thank you for together making MLD one of the main references for modern diesel locomotives in Europe!

The first Crossrail Benelux Class 66 locomotive to be fitted with ETCS Level 2 equipment was PB 14. In 2014 work started on the locomotive, which acted as a prototype for the series installation of ten locomotives in total. Now, work on a second locomotive has started as well: PB 03

Because Crossrail has less locomotives available as long as the ETCS project is in process, replacement locos are used to compensate for this. For this reason, Ascendos PB 08 and 29002 are now operated by the Belgian operator.

(MC/KAR)

On the CZ LOKO website, a shot of a cab element for a 2M62MU diesel locomotive can be seen: link. Note the resemblance with the 753.6 series locomotives, on which the design is based.

Recently, a second Vectron DE locomotive, numbered 247 902, was completed by Siemens. Now it has turned up in the Czech Republic for trials at VUZ Velim. Images of the loco at Velim can be found here: link.

In the May issue of British railway magazine Railways Illustrated, DRS mentions that the delivery of the next batch of Class 68s (leased through Beacon Rail Leasing) is scheduled to start in October 2015. It is expected that 68016-025 have arrived in the UK by February 2016.

The names for the first four locos of the second batch were announced by the British operator as well: Fearless, Reliance, Vigilance and Hornet.

(Railways Illustrated)

DB Schenker 66121 is the next loco to be fitted with the Auto Engine Stop-Start system. In total, DB Schenker Rail UK will fit ninety Class 66 locomotives with AESS.

(MB)

GBRf 59003 is being prepared for its repaint into a new livery. Currently, the locomotive is wearing a grey primer undercoat. An image of the naked looking loco can be found here: link.

A rare combination: on February 12, PCW 7 and 247 901 could be seen in one train at Wegberg-Wildenrath.

(WS)

(IL)

Although the Class 67s on hire from DB Schenker are still going strong at Chiltern Railways, the DRS Class 68 locomotives are taking over more and more services. There have been indications that on the very short term, the 68s will take over completely.

(JM)

Seven Akiem BB75000 locomotives have been renumbered into the BB75300 number series for future use with SNCF Intercités on night trains, being: 75320, 75323, 75326, 75328, 75329, 75330 and 75333. This means there are still three locos to go.

It has now become clear that SNCF Intercités intends to use the Prima diesels from December 2015. In the meantime, the locos are leased out to various freight operators, such as VFLI, Europorte France and CFL Cargo France.

(FD/VT)

Sometimes an image deserves a little more attention. This image of DRS 68014 (in Chiltern Railways livery) was uploaded today and shows the loco at the impressive Culloden Viaduct with intermodal train 4D47 from Inverness Freight Sidings to Mossend Up Yard on September 24, 2014.

(KL)

As from today, Abellio operates the ScotRail franchise and thus also the loco-hauled Fife Circle passenger services. For these services, the company hires in Class 68s 68006 and 68007 from DRS, that both received the ScotRail livery. An image of 68006 underway in its new livery and with matching coaches can be found here: link.

After being involved in an accident in 2013, OSE 220 011 had been out of service for repairs for about 18 months. On 30 November 2014, the loco entered traffic again.

(DP)

Through its subsidiary Mitteldeutsche Regiobahn (MRB), Transdev will operate Chemnitz-Leipzig express passenger services, starting December 2015. The company will use push-pull trainsets, consisting of second-hand coaches and Siemens ER20 diesel locomotives. Most likely, it concerns DE 2000-01, 02 and 03, leased from Ascendos and not the ER20 diesels on lease from MRCE.

The locos in question are currently used by NOB for its passenger service between Hamburg and Westerland (Sylt), but will become obsolete after the introduction of new Class 245 Traxx DE Multi-Engine locomotives of NAH.SH. More about the new passenger services can be read on IRJ: link.

(IRJ)

For the purpose of movie shots and in the light of a remembrance day for Jews from Thessaloniki that were deported during WOII, steam locomotive λβ 964 was brought to Thessaloniki by OSE 220 006 and 220 031.

(NF)

Raildox now hires Maxima 40CC loco 264 002-7 from Südleasing.

(SeS)

(PM)

The image shows 75333 together with 75042. Both are in service for VFLI. Currently, VFLI also operates two other BB 75300 locomotives: 75320 and 75323. Of the BB 75000 series, the company hires 75038, 75040-75045.

(AG)

EC 354 Franz Kafka operates between Prague and Munich. No less than 4 different locomotives are used throughout the journey. Fot the first part (Praha – Plzen) Ceské Dráhy provides a 362. This two system loco is necessary, as Praha – Beroun is electrified with 3000 V DC, after Beroun there is a changeover to 25000 V AC.

For the second part (Plzen – Schwandorf, passing the Czech-German border at Furth im Wald) an Alex EuroRunner is used. Because of direction change, another Alex EuroRunner is attached for the third part (Schwandorf - Regensburg). In Regensburg there is another direction change, but also German catenary is available for the last part (Regensburg – Nürnberg), thus an Alex Taurus 183 is convenient. The coaches for this service are provided by Ceské Dráhy, including a restaurant car.

(HS)

The images show NAH.SH 245 201 and 245 203 on both sides of Metronom double deck driving trailer at the EVB depot in Bremervörde.

(AK)

On March 23, DB Schenker 67004 was named "Cairn Gorm" at an official event at Inverness, marking the launch of the Serco-run Caledonian Sleeper train service. The loco recently received a Caledonian Blue livery at the DB Traction Maintenance Depot in Toton. The Caledonian sleeper service operates between London and Scotland and is currently part of the First ScotRail franchise. From April 1, it will be operated by Serco as a stand-alone franchise.

Traction power for the current Caledonian Sleeper is provided by DB Schenker in the form of Class 67 diesel locomotives and Class 90 electrics. For the new franchise, Serco has contracted GB Railfreight for this purpose. The latter will use a mix of Class 92 electrics and Class 73/9 electro-diesels. Until the Class 73/9s come available, DB Schenker Class 67 will be used as stopgap solution.

For ScotRail's loco-hauled Fife Circle passenger services, DRS will provide traction power in the form of Class 68 locomotives. Driver training on the Fife Circle route is already underway, using various Class 68 locomotives. Meanwhile, DRS 68006 and 68007 have received ScotRail vinyls and are likely to become the dedicated locos for this job.

The following sneak peek is currently circulating on Twitter:

Scotrail 68006 revealed at DRS Kingmoor. Not my photo. Photo belongs to a DRS driver pic.twitter.com/GBisYypS4y

— ChrisRailPics (@ChrisRailPics) 19 maart 2015

LOCON 401 has lost the big LOCON branding on its flanks. An image of the debranded locomotive can be found here: link.

GBRf 66711 has been repainted into an Aggregate Industries livery. A first impression of the loco in its new guise can be found here: link.

Meanwhile, 741 701-7 and 741 707-4, the two bright orange 741.7 locomotives that are destined for Dinazzano Po, have arrived in Italy. The image shows both locomotives in Brennero on 13 March. The two diesels are operated by DP on a hire basis from CZ LOKO with an option to purchase them in the future.

(KAR/TW)

(JM)

Locomotive 245 203 is the second of its series to be released from the factory in Kassel. On 10.03.2015, it completed its maiden run, on 13.03.2015 it ran to Bremervörde.

(PMR/CK)

The image above was uploaded yesterday and shows RTS 2016 907 back in 2012, well before the locomotive collided with a measuring vehicle on 27 March 2013. Recently, repairs on the locomotive were completed.

(CB/DB)

On March 6, RheinCargo DE 804 debuted as the first TRAXX DE locomotive to pull a passenger train in the Netherlands. The locomotive was used to bring a charter train to Bischofshofen of Dutch operator EETC across the Dutch-German border between Arnhem and Emmerich, after which the Centralbahn took over.

Because the normal route for this trains via Venlo is blocked due to engineering works and EETC lacks ETCS equipped locomotives for the route section between Zevenaar and the border, suitable traction power was arranged through RheinCargo.

(HZ)

On March 5, NAH.SH 245 201-9 and DB Regio 245 001 could be seen heading for Bremervörde, while sandwiching a Metronom driving trailer. Similar to the combination of 245 201 and 146 553 last week, this composition will be used for testing the new "Zugwendesteuerung" (push-pull control system).

(PMR)

DRS 68008, one of the two dedicated reservelocos for Chiltern Railways together with DRS 68009, has been making its debut as such recently. The image shows the loco on the 1750 London Marylebone to Banbury tonight.

(JM)

A shot of DB Schenker's first loco fitted with the Auto Engine Stop-Start system, which entered service in early February 2015. After trial loco 66176, which was fitted the AESS system twelve months ago, it is the first of ninety locomotives to have come into service with the system. 66182 is the second locomotive with AESS technology that is now in daily traffic.

(RG)

On its Facebook page, GB Railfreight confirmed that it has ordered five additional Class 66 locomotives. The company already purchased five Stage IIIa compliant EMD 710 series engines and registered them in the UK before the introduction of Stage IIIb emission legislation on January 1 2015. This way the acquisition of more expensive Stage IIIb compliant locomotives was avoided. Delivery of 66773-66777 is foreseen for late 2015.

(GB Railfreight)

On February 28, an interesting convoy passed through Germany. Pulled by RailAdventure 103 222, the transport consisted of Dinazzano Po 741 701-7 and 741 707-4, as well as BTE oldie 217 002. More images of the transport can be found here and here.

(SW/KAR/CK)

An exotic train, we most likely will not see again any time soon. Bombardier has been testing this week with two Traxx locomotives and two metronom coaches that were hired from LNVG. IGT was managing the trials. On one side we see the light grey 146 553, at the other end of the train the new 245 201. - JS

Images from the past week, showing test runs with the two medium power Vectron locomotives 192 961 and 962. Later on, the Vectron DE joined in.

(WH/CB)

US railfreight group Genesee & Wyoming Inc. has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the Freighliner Group. Initially, G&W will purchase approximately 95% of the shares for a total sum of £490 million, as well as £8.5m in net debt and capitalised leases.

The remaining 5% of the shares will continue to be held by the Freightliner management until 2020. By then, G&W plans to have full ownership by acquiring all remaining shares. The initial transaction is expected to have been completed in the first quarter of 2015.

Freightliner Group currently has railfreight operations in the UK (Freightliner), the Netherlands (ERS Railways), Germany (Freightliner DE), Poland (Freightliner PL) and Australia (Freightliner Australia). G&W hopes to create extensive operational synergies as it already operates in the Netherlands and Belgium through subsidiary Rotterdam Rail Feeding and in Australia through subsidiary Genesee & Wyoming Australia.

(Genesee & Wyoming/BG)

Ownership of the eight EuroRunners of METRANS a.s., the designated 761 001-007 and ER20-002, has been transferred to its Slovakian subsidiary METRANS (Danubia) a.s.

(KAR)

For the first time we have received an image of a DB Regio 245 series locomotive sporting the -Südostbayernbahn- name on its side. Locomotives 245 008-015 run for the Südostbayernbahn, a subsidiary of DB Regio. They are allocated to Mühldorf depot.

(DrGB)

At the moment, at least seven former BB 75000 locomotives have been renumbered into the BB 75300 number series for future lease to SNCF Intercités:

75020 > 75320
75023 > 75323
75026 > 75326
75028 > 75328
75029 > 75329
75030 > 75330
75033 > 75333

In the future the BB 75300 series should exist of ten locomotives, all rebuild for use on overnight passenger trains. In the meantime Akiem is putting the locomotives to good use: two locomotives, the designated 75320 and 75323, are currently on hire to VFLI.

(AG)

On 19.02.2015, Bombardier and NAH.SH officially presented their first diesel locomotive for the Marschbahn. The images show the 245 201 during the handing over ceremony.

Meanwhile, Bombardier has started series production for this customer. 245 203 was seen in Kassel on February 18. In total, fifteen machines will be built.

(Bombardier/CK)

Sometimes it goes really fast. Last week, the first Traxx DE Multi Engine was delivered by Bombardier in Kassel to Nahverkehrsverbund Schleswig-Holstein (NAH.SH). Today it had its first day of revenue service. Main purpose of practice test runs is to measure the fuel consumption of this four-engine diesel locomotive under -real- conditions.

The images in this post show Paribus>NAH.SH locomotive 245 201-9 today, pulling married pair coaches, in service of the Nord-Ostsee-Bahn (NOB). This trains ran on the -Marschbahn- today, connecting Hamburg - Westerland (Sylt) vv.

Soon, fifteen such machines will be available for the operator that will take over the -Marschbahn- services as of December 2015. That may be the NOB again, or a different operator. NAH.SH still has to announce what company will be awarded with this contract.

The to-be-selected operator will take over the rakes of married-pair coaches as shown in the pictures. You see the 245 201 pulling the train, as push-pull operation is not possible yet. This requires re-wiring the coaches and adjusting their driver cabs. A first set is now under -construction- already, and until December all sets will be done. For now, to replace the set that is under construction, the NOB has taken a set of six older -flex-park- coaches back into service.

(KAR/DSO/NJ/MP/TB)

Two images of DB Regio's new 245 017. Both nightly images show the locomotive in every day service, pulling a Regional Express to Frankfurt. One image was taken in Friedberg with the RE 15293 Nidda - Frankfurt. The second one in Glauburg-Stockheim with RE 15556 from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf.

(AH/SC)

The first NAH.SH Traxx DE ME locomotive has left Kassel today. It was seen running northbound in the direction of Husum. The locomotive sports a slogan now: -Schleswig-Holstein - Der echte Norden-.

On January 15, the Prüf- und Validationscenter Wegberg-Wildenrath (PCW) took over Vectron DE locomotive from Siemens. 247 901 has been actively used for rolling stock transfers since then. An example is the transfer of Velaro D trainset 407 015 on January 30 (see image).

(PM/WS)

GBRf 66706 has been sighted in the latest GBRf livery: link.

A landslip at Harbury Cutting between Banbury and Leamington Spa, estimated at over 600,000 tons of material, has closed the Oxford to Birmingham mainline. Buses are replacing passenger services between Banbury and Leamington Spa. Both Class 67/68 hauled Chiltern trains from Marylebone to Birmingham and freight services are affected.

Freight services south of Birmingham are being diverted via the West Coast Mainline and then the Great Western Mainline, although car trains from Castle Bromwich and Halewood are now tending to use the LSWR Mainline via Woking. It is not known how long the line will be closed for.

(PL)

According to an article on railturkey.org, five GE PowerHaul locomotives were delivered to TCDD last year. For 2015, the delivery of a further 10 locomotives is planned.

No specific service numbers are mentioned, but according to our information, the five units delivered last year joined the TCDD fleet in March and are DE36001-DE36005. This means that this year DE36006-DE36015 will be added to the TCDD fleet, which leaves DE36016-DE36020 for (most likely) 2016.

Today we received our first image of OSE 220 011. It is a picture with a story:

On August 15 2013, train 601, led by Adtranz 220 011, hit a car. The car was driven by a drunk man, who tried to pass the double line in a place without passage. The locomotive dragged the car about 1 km from the station platform. Then the car wrapped in flames, and the first bogie of the locomotive derailed.

(AP)

It seems that CZ LOKO's 753.6 demonstrator locomotive 753 604-8 has been sold to SD - Kolejová doprava. It is now carrying the SD-KD colours and is already in service for the Czech railfreight operator. We are still looking for confirmation on this.

The image (by Pedro Almeida) shows the locomotive with 741 701-7, carrying a livery resembling the colour scheme of Italian operator Dinazzano Po (DP).

This is locomotive 245 201-9 for Nahverkehrsverbund Schleswig-Holstein GmbH (NAH.SH GmbH) via Paribus-DIF. It has a completely different livery than what was expected and the one presented during the press release of the order last year. No lime and green, but blue, dark blue, white and grey instead. It does not comply with that previous corporate identity of NAH.SH at that point at all. However, in late 2014, the livery was changed to a mix of light and dark blue and this is the final result of the NAH.SH identity change.

Bombardier will build fifteen such locomotives, all to be delivered this year. They will be operated on the route from Hamburg to Westerland (Sylt) by an operator that is still to be selected.

(CK/JvD)

This morning, DRS / Chiltern 68015 made its debut on a regular Chiltern Railways passenger train: the 1H20 07.44 Banbury - London Marylebone.

(SM)

The seven Class 66 locomotives that Freightliner PL has on hire from Alpha Trains are currently being subjected to overhauls. Locomotive 66005 was given its Hauptuntersuchung (HU) in Hagen, while 66001 seems to have been serviced at Cottbus (REV BCSX 23.01.15).

(AL/DB)

An EMD GT46AC locomotive at an unknown location. Picture by EMD.

EMD has delivered the first four GT46AC diesel locomotives of a total batch of 16 to Brazil's Valor da Logística Integrada S.A. (VLI). The metre-gauge locomotives have been built by EMD at its Sete Lagoas plant and left the factory in November 2014. This month (February 2015), the locomotives entered service on the Central-Southeast Corridor. They are the first AC locomotives to enter service on Brazil's metre-gauge network. By choosing for AC locomotives instead of DC locomotives, better traction control is achieved in combination with 50% better hauling capacity compared with two locomotives with the same weight and power.

Here you can see the German TV show -Geld und Leben- as broadcasted yesterday evening. In between various reports the presentor interviews employees of Siemens in its locomotive factory in München-Allach. The video gives several peaks into the production process of Vectron locomotives.

The video features to-be-delivered locomotives such as MRCE X4 E-877, boxXpress 193 843, ELL 193 216 and 193 824. We also see a white Vectron locomotive with cooler openings, is it a second diesel Vectron? Nice are also the miniature trains.

Meanwhile, Vectron DE demonstrator locomotive 247 901 has been out and about. On January 28, the locomotive visited the test centre at Wegberg-Wildenrath.

(WS)

In the evening of January 28, VFLI subjected the latest addition to its fleet of EURO 4000 locomotives to a hauling test. After successfully completing the test run from Avignon to Laroche-Migennes, the locomotive was accepted by the French railfreight operator. The images show the locomotive prior to the hauling run.

(NV)

Vossloh has announced to have sold another twelve EURO 4000 locomotives, bringing the total number of locos in France to 44. All locomotives will feature Stage IIIa complaint EMD 16-710 series engines. An overview:

1: 4 locomotives for Europorte
These four locomotives were directly purchased by Europorte France. This order does not seem to be completely new and most likely concerns the optional four locomotives we reported about in August last year: link.

2: 2 locomotives for VFLI
We know these locomotives better as E4027-4028. Both locomotives were delivered to VFLI this month and were directly purchased by the French operator, not leased. Just like E4017-4022, they are equipped for services in France and Belgium.

3: 6 locomotives for Beacon Rail Leasing
This new order, placed on December 18 2014, concerns six locomotives for VFLI that will be leased from Beacon Rail Leasing. Their delivery is scheduled between April and September 2016. Together with E4017-4022 (also leased from Beacon Rail) and E4027-4028, VFLI's fleet will consist of 14 EURO 4000 locomotives. At the same time, Beacon Rail Leasing's portfolio of EURO 4000 locomotives will be raised to 30.

(Vossloh/VFLI/Beacon Rail)

This morning, DRS/Chiltern 68010 made its debute in revenue earning passenger traffic by hauling the 07:44 Banbury to London Marylebone service.

68010 working today's 07:44 Banbury to London Marylebone. #first68forhaulage pic.twitter.com/YDCKkfiAhO

— Jason Jennings (@JasonJennings12) 27 januari 2015

More and more locomotives are receiving the Captrain livery. ITL diesel Traxx 285 111-1 (leased from Macquarie European Rail) is the latest locomotive to sport this design.

(DM/TS)

Seen today, in front of the Bombardier factory in Kassel: Paribus/Nah.sh 245 201-9. Unlike the design studies that were released when the order placement was published, the locomotive does not feature a darkgreen and lime livery, but one in blue and ivory.

(CK)

We know LNVG regularly calls for support to hvle when it is short on diesel locomotives for its Metronom services, but this is first time we see IGT 246 011-1 with a Metronom double deck train in regular service.

(JE)

ITL 250 007-2 is now carrying the Captrain livery. An image of the locomotive in its new guise can be found here: link.

(HZ/SW/DSO)

Yesterday morning (January 23), Chiltern 68012 was out on a crew training run again from London Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill.

(PL)

SNCF locomotive 475452 collided with a truck at Bonnières on January 22. An image can be found here: link.

(AM)

On January 20, E4028, the second of two new EURO 4000 locomotives for VFLI arrived in France. On January 21, the locomotive was accompanied by 27118, E4017 and the also new E4027, all carrying the colourful VFLI livery.

Note that both E4027 and E4028 carry plates with their service numbers as works numbers. Most likely, these numbers should be Vossloh 2732/2014 and 2733/2014 respectively.

(NV)

The Eversholt Rail Group has a new owner: CK Investments S.A.R.L. Next to a large fleet of passenger rail vehicles, the company also owns over 80 Class 66 locomotives. The full press statement:

Eversholt Investment Group S.C.S., a consortium comprising 3i Infrastructure plc, Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners and STAR Capital Partners announces it has agreed to sell 100% of Eversholt Rail Group (Eversholt Rail) to CK Investments S.A R.L., a company jointly owned by Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Limited and Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited, (together, "CKI”).

Mary Kenny, Chief Executive Officer of Eversholt Rail, said: "Eversholt Rail has performed strongly, both operationally and financially, under its current ownership providing, managing and maintaining key UK rail assets. We look forward to continuing our success with CKI, who have extensive experience in managing infrastructure assets and are highly supportive of our strategy and approach.”

(Eversholt Rail Group)

A collection of images taken at London Marylebone station in the evening of January 16. The Class 67 hegemony is still going strong, The entry into service of the six Class 68s hired by Chiltern from DRS was originally planned for December 2014, but this has been delayed to some extent.

68012 is the only locomotive that has been operating in revenue earning service lately, but 68010-011 and 013-15 should gradually be joining it over the next months. 68013 is currently performing test runs with Chiltern, whilst the others are still available to DRS at the moment.

(PL)

Schkopau based railfreight operator Mitteldeutsche Eisenbahn Gmbh (MEG) has sourced a second JT42CWRM locomotive from EuroCargoRail. The designated 77012 has received MEG logos and joins 77042, which has been in service for MEG since a couple of years now. An image of both locomotives together can be found here: link.

VFLI 77507 turned up at Düsseldorf-Rath on January 18. It was on its way back to France after EMD fitted the locomotive with new axles in Hattingen. 77507 is the first of the seven Class 66 locomotives VFLI operates (77501-77507, leased from Akiem) to receive this treatment.

(NV)

At least 11 Prima diesel locomotives carry the company colours of TSO now: 75008, 75017, 75019, 75025, 75036, 75101, 75103, 75104, 75106, 75107 and 75108. Current indications are that TSO will receive 10-15 Prima locomotives on hire from Akiem.

Not sporting the TSO livery, but also (to be) on hire to the company are: 75037 and 75110.

The only two (completed) Pesa Gama locomotives in existence, together in one picture. The grey one is the electric machine with additional combustion engine (the 111Ed-001) and the diesel Gama (the 111Db - 001). A unique sight.

(PESA)

As of January 16, Ascendos Class 66 locomotive RL002 is hired to RTB Cargo. The Düren based company operates the locomotive under the internal designation V 270.

E4027, the latest addition to the VFLI fleet, has arrived in France. Yesterday, the first acceptance runs were performed with the locomotive.

(VFLI)

Yesterday, the two EURO 4000 locomotives of ETF, the designated E4029 and E4030, could be sighted in a construction train at Fleury-les-Aubrais. Also MRCE 653-02 was part of the train. It appears this locomotive is no longer hired to HGK/RheinCargo, where it was numbered as DE 681.

Other Class 66 locomotives ETF has on hire from MRCE are 513-9, 561-2, 561-3, 561-4, 653-09.

(PG)

Five DB Regio Multi Engine Traxx locomotives are now allocated at Frankfurt-Griesheim depot: 245 016-020. On December 13 2014 a line-up with all five machines was organized, resulting in these nice images.

(AH)

(MAA)

French freight operator VFLI has purchased two EURO 4000 locomotives from Vossloh. The locomotives in question are E4027 and E4028, which we already know from the Marathon trial runs in 2014.

The locomotives join the six EURO 4000 locomotives leased by VFLI from Beacon Rail Leasing: E4017-E4022. Delivery of the first locomotive is imminent, with E4028 following next week.

GBRf 66709 has been outshopped at Eastleigh Works in a fresh coat of paint. Because the MSc Sorrento promotional livery has been kept, only the cabs and cab doors now resemble the current GBRf livery. An image of the locomotive in its new livery can be found here: link.

(RG)