In 2004, the NordOstseeBahn (at that time a subsidiary of the Connex Group) was awarded with the contract for the Marschbahn services; (Hamburg-Altona - Elmshorn - Itzehoe - Heide - Husum - Niebüll - Westerland(Sylt). ME26 diesel locomotives were bought from Siemens Dispolok and overhauled, new EuroSprinter diesel machines were purchased from Siemens and Bombardier got to deliver 4 new electrics. After the summer of 2005 the Kassel assembly factory therefore delivered the 146 519-522 numbered machines, painted yellow and blue, the standard color scheme for all Connex rolling stock at that moment.

The first locomotive was presented in Berlin-Hennigsdorf, where Bombardier has its testing facilities, together with the new married pairs single deck passenger coaches for these services.

Connex > Veolia > Transdev
Since their delivery, the name of their owner changed several times. First Connex Verkehr GmbH was rebranded as Veolia Verkehr GmbH in 2006. In 2015 the name changed again into Transdev GmbH. Over the years, the locomotives were increasingly used for freight services, in the end all being operated by Veolia's subsidiary RBB. From March 2006 until December 2014 the machines also hauled the private Interconnex long distance trains between Berlin and Leipzig.

Sold to Macquarie European Rail
In February 2016 all four locomotives were taken out of service and gathered in Eisenach (DE). RBB continued its services using locomotives from ITL. 146 519 was sent to Bombardier in Kassel for repairs. At the end of the month it became clear that lease company Macquarie European Rail had bought all four machines from Transdev.