New: CFL Cargo has given the 185 512 stickers making clear the operator is looking for new train drivers. Photos: Nico Daniel / David Pinto

We already reported on Alpha Trains locomotive no. 185 511 now sporting 'Urlaubs-Express' stickers. Now we can show our first two pictures of the machine in revenue service. 185 511 is on hire to the MSM Gruppe since 2016 and registered with the Eifelbahn Verkehrsgesellschaft (EVG).

Today in maiden run after its overhaul: Alpha Trains > Captrain 185-CL 005. Not a new livery, but fresh for many years of service. (Christian Klotz)

The different divisions of Captrain are getting more visible every day: Captrainized 1600 in the Netherlands, EP09s and 232s in Poland. New TRAXX DCs in Italy, new TRAXX AC3s in Germany and the Captrain Vectrons are now also traveling through in Poland (debute?) and the Czech Republic.

The title image shows the newest Captrainized electric on this website: 185 598 (picture by Thomas Salomon). Previously it had the red/white Veolia Cargo livery with ITL logos. We have listed all TRAXX AC electrics that are part of the Captrain fleet now and their current livery:

TRAXX AC
DL 145 094 > standard Captrain livery since 2013
DL 145 095 > standard Captrain livery since 2013

TRAXX AC1
Ascendos Rail 185-CL001 > standard Captrain livery since 2016
Ascendos Rail 185-CL002 > Salzgitter Mannesmann promo livery
Ascendos Rail 185-CL003 > standard Captrain livery since 2015
Alpha Trains 185-CL004 > Alpha Trains livery blue/silver
Alpha Trains 185-CL005 > standard Captrain livery since 2011
Alpha Trains 185-CL006 > Alpha Trains livery blue/silver
Alpha Trains 185-CL007 > standard Captrain livery since 2010
HML 185 517 > green/silver
HML 185 532 > Captrain livery with TRAXX care text since 2012
DL 185 533 > green/silver with Rail4Chem logos
HML 185 541 > standard Captrain livery since 2012
DL 185 542 > standard Captrain livery since 2011
DL 185 543 > standard Captrain livery since 2011
ITL 185 548 > silver with ITL logos
? 185 549 > standard Captrain livery since 2012
? 185 550 > standard Captrain livery since 2012

TRAXX AC2
ITL 185 562 > standard Captrain livery since 2015
Captrain 185 598 > standard Captrain livery since 2016
Captrain 185 649 > Veolia Cargo livery with ITL logos
Captrain 185 650 > Veolia Cargo livery with ITL logos

TRAXX AC3 Last Mile
Akiem 187 011 > standard Captrain livery since 2016
Akiem 187 012 > standard Captrain livery since 2016
Akiem 187 013 > standard Captrain livery since 2016
Akiem 187 014 > Akiem livery and Flex Panels

Railfreight in Europe is very dynamic at this moment. Several operators are replacing the majority of the locomotives in their lease locomotive fleet (WLC / RTB Cargo / LTE). As a result, there are lease locomotives that change operator for the very first time.

A nice example is Alpha Trains 185 528-7 (and 185 529 a month ago). It was operated by LTE from Austria since 2004 (!). Recently it was overhauled and the blue and white LTE logos were removed after 11 years of loyal service. The image shows the blue and silver machine with a TX Logistik freight train. (KAR / Marcus Schrödter)

Our first image! New in the fleet of freight operator Railtraxx is Alpha Trains 185 510. Not difficult to see as the machine now sports big Railtraxx logos.

BLS Cargo has not enough locomotives and therefore decided to hire 185 525-3 and 185 527-9 from Alpha Trains. Previously, the locomotives were hired to Crossrail.
One of the locomotives will be allocated to Erstfeld, to take over former TX Logistik services.

It is not the first time these two machines are hired to BLS Cargo. Nor is it the second time. Both machines were already in service of the Swiss operator in 2004 and from 2006 until 2009. The image shows both locomotives with Cemat-train Basel - Chiasso vv. - Trainspotter.ch Alpha Trains Traxx AC1

Alpha Trains has managed the assets on behalf of RBS since a consortium of investors acquired Alpha Trains from RBS in August 2008. The passenger trains and locomotives are employed in services across Continental Europe under leasing contracts with several European train operators.

Commenting on the acquisition, Shaun M. Mills CEO said: “This is a key transaction for Alpha Trains and an important step in our strategy of growing the business. We know the assets well having managed their delivery and operation since 2008 and are looking forward to fully integrating them in our business for the benefit of our customers. This acquisition further cements Alpha Trains’ position as the leading private rolling stock lessor in Continental Europe.”

About Alpha Trains: Alpha Trains has been an investor, owner and manager of rolling stock for more than ten years, during which time we have established an enviable record as a consistent, professional and innovative investor and manager of passenger trains and freight locomotives. The current portfolio comprises around 370 locomotives and 300 passenger trains which are managed by an international staff of 70 people in our offices in Luxembourg, Antwerp, Cologne and Madrid. Our shareholders are: Arcus Infrastructure, PSP (Public Sector Pension Investment Board) and AMP Capital Investors. - Alpha trains Alpha Trains / RBSAF 185.2 Alpha Trains Traxx AC1 Alpha Trains TRAXX DC Alpha Trains TRAXX MS2e

The Bellinzona works (CH) have completed the main overhaul of MRCE 185 554-3 (REV 03.01.2014). On 04.01.2014 the machine was seen in Basel. Note that this locomotive is only permitted to run in Germany and France, so it could not reach Switzerland under its own power. - MB

MTEG is no longer the responsible vehivle keeper of Locomotive 189 800-6. The locomotive now carries D-PRESS keeper markings. - KAR

For the first time, the main lessor of 185 514-7 has changed. No longer TX Logistik, but Rheincargo now. - KAR Alpha Trains Traxx AC1 Lokomotion 185.2 MRCE Traxx AC1 MTEG 189 Railpool 185.2

hired from Alpha Trains > 185 510 and 511
Railpool locomotives: 186 141, 181, 182, 183, 187, 275, 289, and 291
MRCE > ES 64 F4-157 and -159

e.g.the Metrans sticker on ES 64 F4-157 is new. And don't forget the seven EuroRunners. Alpha Trains Traxx AC1 MRCE ES64F4 Railpool TRAXX MS2e

HLG Bebra now operates Alpha Trains 185 634. - KAR/GZ/SK Alpha Trains / RBSAF 185.2 Alpha Trains Traxx AC1

We have seen the 513 in various stages of its repair in Kassel in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Repaint in the original 'domestic Germany' livery of Alpha Trains was completed on 25.02.2011. Before its accident, the 513 was one of three 185 series locomotives running for TX Logistik (TXL) with the Rostock Port livery. Per 31.03.2011 the unit is back with TXL again, but now with small TXL-logos and some modest marking promoting TRAXX Care. Alpha Trains Traxx AC1

145-CL 005: previously operated by Rail4Chem, painted green. 145-CL 031: this year presented in the new Alpha Trains corporate colours, it will be the first time this unit will be used in these colours in revenue services. Then there are four units formerly used by RAG Bahn&Hafen, most of them off-lease for quite some time now: 145-CL 201 to 204 (also known as 145 096-100 or 145 521-524). These machines are silver and dark blue.
The last two units have the old standard Alpha Trains livery, silver and blue, and were once running for Connex. 185 515 and 516 have been standing around at Dessau for quite some time last year, but came back in business this winter, being used for replacement services of the Berchtesgadener Land Bahn. 145-CL: locomotives for open access operators Alpha Trains Traxx AC1

Next to CBRail's 185-CL 001, 002 and 003 now also Alpha Trains 185-CL 008 and 009 have joined the fleet. Both engines were parked unemployed in Dessau since the RAG returned them to the leasing company. Alpha Trains Traxx AC1 Beacon Rail Traxx AC1

The Eurobahn has a similar problem, so they managed to hire coaches from the NOB and they will combine them with CBRail's 185-CL 003.

It's remarkable to see how many lease-machines are now being used for passenger traffic. Passenger service is booming. Of course this has something to do with the high availability of modern Alpha Trains, MRCE Dispolok or CBRail units as this moment. Due to the economical crisis, there is less freight to transport, so from the traditional customers for the leasing companies the interest is smaller. This can be combined with the fact the consolidation phase in the European freight transport market is still going on. Different companies now come together, organizations get more efficient. More and more, smaller operators can also use units from the large fleets of their new mother companies. Alpha Trains Traxx AC1

Concerning modern electrics, many interestings locomotives were listed;
-> Because of the crisis, many DB Schenker electrics are taken out of service. This also concerns modern locomotives of the 152 and 185 series, when they are due for an overhaul. In Dessau, 185 007, 008, 011, 012, 014, 015, 016, 019 and 041 are stabled, waiting for more prosperous times.
-> Next to that, several DB Schenker machines are stored in Dessau after an accident, for example 152 108, 185 050, 185 112, 185 121 and 185 345. They were only working on repairing 152 108.
-> The economical crisis also effects the market for leasing and hiring locomotives. In Dessau several unemployed lease-locomotives can be found; ATC 145 097, ATC 145 098, ATC 185-CL 008, ATC 185-CL 009, ATC 185 515-4, and ATC 185 520-4.

Other interesting vehicles: CFL 4011 (damage repair), Hector Rail 441 001 (reason unknown), MRCE Dispolok ES 64 U2-099 (overhaul, being returned by EVB), ATC 185 516 (overhaul). - DR Alpha Trains Traxx AC1 CFL Traxx AC1 DB Schenker Traxx AC1 Hector Rail ES64F4

Remarkable is that in details the livery of the 185-CL 007 is different from for example the recently rpeainted 185-CL 003 and 189 093-095. Alpha Trains Traxx AC1