Unveiled to the public on Monday 6th of March, DB Regio 146 230 'Radolfzell' carries vinyls celebrating the 750th anniversary of the founding of the town of Radolfzell. On 07.03.2017, the freshly decorated loco passes Steinbach (Baden-Baden) with the southbound RE 4271 from Karlsruhe Hbf. to Konstanz. Photo/Text: Andrew Butler

New stickers for DB Regio 146 209. Its sides now feature many portraits, interlinked as a network. A first image here.

[update] On one side it sports the slogan -DB Regio (nicht Region) in Baden-Württemberg-, the other side has -Wir von hier - ein starkes Team bei der RAB-.

A quick shot by Ernst Lauer. DB Regio 146 239 with -Richtung Heimat- vinyls today in Riegel-Malterdingen.

The delivery of the 27 Traxx P160 AC2 locomotives to DB Fernverkehr is delayed considerably. But with the final approval of these locomotives and their Twindexx trains only weeks away, Bombardier has resumed the production of the locomotives that were still missing.

Bombardier only built 146 551-570 until now. The production places of the 571-577 were given to DB Regio 146.2s as Bombardier awaited approval of the 146.5s. Today 146 571 was seen in Kassel, meaning the final 7 machines are soon to be outshopped. In March 2016 all 27 machines will be in revenue service. (Chirstian Klotz)

A contribution of Martin Welzel. He sent several images of the newest DB 146s in service. Although these machines are numbered as 146 251-282, DB internally refers to them as series 146.3.

Test run with 146 277, driver training with 146 273. The new 146s are taking over at DB Regio. (Martin Welzel / Sascha Jansen)

Two months ago, we brought a list of future allocations of the the new Traxx AC2 locomotives for DB Regio and DB Fernverkehr:

146 251-256 > Frankfurt (Main)-Griesheim
146 257-264 > Erfurt
146 265-282 > Dortmund
146 551-577 > Leipzig Hbf

Based on the information of Eisenbahn Kurier 7/2015 we wrote that 146 257-264 would replace the hired MRCE ES 64 U2 electrics on the RB20 (Eisenach - Halle). However we think this will not happen anymore. The 146s mentioned are being delivered to Dortmund in stead of Erfurt. Around Erfurt, Abellio will take over many regional services from DB Regio in just a few months, so introducing a new series of locomotives (training etc) would not serve much purpose anymore.

BTW. The introduction of the DB Regio locomotives will result in various re-allocations of older DB Regio 146.0/1 series locomotives.

DB Regio 146 247 -Vernetzt in die Zukunft- now in service. Picture taken at Munich Hauptbahnhof. (Thomas Girstenbrei) DB TRAXX P160AC2 (146.2 / 146.3)

Today, DB Regio 146 247 was presented in Munich (Donnersbergerbrücke) wearing a special outfit designed by Gudrun Geiblinger. (Michael Raucheisen)

Seen today on the RE30 Frankfurt - Kassel service. (Christian Klotz / LVT)

The first locomotives of DB Regio's newest locomotive batch (146 251-282) have arrived in Frankfurt. Delivery of the machines has begun. The pictures show 146 254 and 259 in Frankfurt (Main) Betriebsbahnhof. (Albert Hitfield)

Maiden run today for DB Regio 146 271. 11 more to go.

On 01.06.2015, DB Regio's 146 270 had its maiden run. Production of the final batch of Traxx Ac2's for DB Regio (146 251-282) is going fast. Many locomotives are meanwhile parked around the Bombardier factory in Kassel and at Kassel Rangierbahnhof.

Two different, red Traxx locomotives. Unit no. 146 261 is brand new, and to be delivered to DB Regio soon. Bombardier services has completed the R1 revision on Alpha Trains 185 631, so it is fresh to go for another 6-8 years. - CK

Meanwhile, Bombardier is well on its way with the production of Traxx AC2 locomotives for DB Regio, its final batch. We expect the first units (no. 146 251-282) will enter service soon.

Maiden runs: 146 254 on 11.03.2015; 146 255 on 12.03.2015; 146 256 on 18.03.2015; 146 257: 25.03.2015; 146 259: 27.03.2015.

In 2013, Bombardier released the red 146 251 for DB Regio. In August 2014, no.2 of a final batch of 32 for this operator was outshopped. Until now, the 146 251 and 252 were used for tests and trials. Now we can say that more new machines have been completed. Meanwhile the new 146 253, 254 and 255 have been sighted.

The title image shows 146 252 behind 146 553 and 564 for DB Fernverkehr. The three locomotives returned to Bombardier in Kassel on 19.02.2015. - CK

DB Fernverkehr Traxx AC2 DB TRAXX P160AC2 (146.2 / 146.3)

More information about these trains:

DB TRAXX P160AC2 (146.2 / 146.3)

More information about these trains:

DB TRAXX P160AC2 (146.2 / 146.3)

DB TRAXX P160AC2 (146.2 / 146.3)

Locomotives 146 251 is the first of its series and it is currently subjected to final testing in the Bombardier factory in Kassel. The new subseries will designated 146 251-282 and have the exact same livery as the 146.2s already in service. Only aesthetic difference are the small yellow and red connectors beneath the cabin front windows, similar to those used on the 146 551-577 for DB Fernverkehr. DB TRAXX P160AC2 (146.2 / 146.3)

From finanznachrichten.de.

The German railways (DB) and Bombardier want to close a framework agreement for the delivery of up to 450 new locomotives, to be ordered until 2023. 130 machines will be ordered immediately, 110 locomotives for DB Schenker Rail and twenty aditonal Traxx F160 AC2 locomotives for DB Regio. The order can have a value of €1.5 billion.

The agrement still needs to be approved internally by the DB. There is also still the mandatory period during which other parties involved can ask for extra information about the tendering process and the selection of the winner. Objection is still possible.

Remember that DB still has 79 locomotives of the Traxx family on order/under delivery:
32x Traxx P160 AC2: 146 251-282
27x Traxx P160 AC2: 146 551-577 with WTB-equipment
20x Traxx P160 DE ME: 245 001-020 DB TRAXX P160AC2 (146.2 / 146.3)

The order is part of a frame work agreement with Bombardier. The DB has ordered several tranches of locomotives for its passenger services within this agreement. An overview of all TRAXX P160 series locomotives of the DB:

31 x P160AC / 2001-2002 / DB Regio 146 001-031
32 x P160AC1 / 2003-2005 / DB Regio 146 101-132
47 x P160AC2 / 2005-2006 / DB Regio 146 201-247
27 x P160AC2 / delivery expected for 2013 / DB Transport
32 x P160AC2 / delivery starting in 2014 / DB Regio

Railcolor: The Deutsche Bahn is careful with its fleet renewal. 32 new locomotives is only a small number. However, the frame agreement is limited of course and also, the DB first needs to have enough confidence in the future to place such an order. It needs to be sure that it will retain/win sufficient service concessions to justify the investment. On the other hand, many regional services with double stock coaches are still hauled by the aging 111 and 143 series locomotives, which do need replacement. DB TRAXX P160AC2 (146.2 / 146.3)

Last friday, 05.08.2011, the 146 223 got its normal configuration back and returned to Stuttgart. 146 229 was sent back to Freiburg. - DSO/YH DB TRAXX P160AC2 (146.2 / 146.3)