On 12.08.2010, Hector Rail made public that they had acquired a ES64U2 lcomotive of MRCE Dispolok. And that they took an option for four more. Hector Rail got the oldest locomotive in the MRCE Dispolok fleet, unit 031. It was the first ES64U2 delivered to Siemens Dispolok in the yellow and silver Dispolok livery, back in August 2000.
On 21.08.2010, the 031 was first spotted on Swedish ground. Seven days later the methamorphosis of the units was completed in paint shop at Västerås (SE). It re-appeared as 242.001 'LaMotta' in the livery of its new employer, Hector Rail. Its main technical specifications are written on its sides. - Hector Rail
The 242.001 returned to Germany at the end of 2010, where it was renumbered as 182.531. Then it was used for freight service in Germany.
On 13.12.2010 Hector Rail published the news they call for a second ES64U2 locomotive of MRCE Dispolok. Since that month, unit ES 64 U2-003 became property of Hector Rail, after the 031 the oldest one in the MRCE Dispolok fleet that did not get the new black livery yet. Soon after the 003, also ES 64 U2-016 was sold to Hector Rail. On 05.05.2011, the 017 was the fourth one.
[DE] Flixbus and Leo Express bring Locomore train services back on track [updated x2]
update 2017|08|20
[DE] Flixbus and Leo Express bring Locomore train services back on track [updated x2]
Update: In four days, the Locomore long-distance trains will run again between Stuttgart and Berlin. Testing and driver training, now under the responsibility of the German department of Leo Express, has started:
Hector Rail 242.517 with Locomore training service on 20.08.2017 at Niederndodeleben. Photo: Marcus Schrödter
Update 2: Hector Rail has published officially that the company will again be the traction provider for Leo Express passenger railway transportation operating between Berlin and Stuttgart.
"The commercial traffic is due to start 24th August. Initially the trains will run 4 round trips per week, Thursday afternoon to Monday morning.
Leo Express is responsible for the promotion of the trains and the marketing is supported by Flixbus. Flixbus is the biggest private coach operator in central Europe. Leo Express will provide the conductor and service staff and Hector Rail the locomotive and drivers."
FlixBus and LeoExpress make it possible: the resurrection of Locomore. This German start-up company introduced a privately operated, long-distance train service in December 2016, but had to file for insolvency after only five months of commercial operation. Read more on Railcolornews.com
Today is the first day of revenue earning services for the new German open access long-passenger operator Locomore. It offers a new train service from Stuttgart to Berlin and back, one trip in each direction a day. It is using retrofitted Bm235 series coaches (360 degrees interior view!) which are being pulled by Hector Rail locomotives. The train is crowd-funded, a first in the world. We wish Locomore good luck! Live updates via Locomore's twitter account.
Tobias Schubbert caught a Locomore test train today. Two orange coaches pulled by Hector Rail 242.517 in Jena Göschwitz. The new open access, long-haul passenger operator in Germany, will commence with its train services on 14.12.2016.
[UK] EQT Infrastructure II: acquisition of GB Railfreight from Groupe EuroTunnel completed
update 2016|11|18
[UK] EQT Infrastructure II: acquisition of GB Railfreight from Groupe EuroTunnel completed
On November 15, EQT Infrastructure II announced that it had completed the acquisition of GB Railfreight from Groupe EuroTunnel through an indirectly owned company within the Hector Rail group. Founded in 1999 by the current CEO John Smith, GB Railfreight is the third largest rail freight operator in the UK, and provides a wide range of rail transport solutions and rail services.
Bo Lerenius, Industrial Advisor to EQT and Chairman of the Hector Rail Group, says: “As one of the UK’s leading rail freight operators, GB Railfreight has proven its strength in the rail industry. The focus on innovation and delivery of outstanding customer service are two key factors that make us believe that GB Railfreight is an excellent fit with Hector Rail.”
[DK] Hector Rail takes speed record on rail in Denmark
update 2016|03|24
[DK] Hector Rail takes speed record on rail in Denmark
During the night of 21-22 March Hector Rail operated a test train with a speed of 235.8 km/h on behalf of Bane Danmark (Danish Infrastructure Authority). This is a high speed record for trains in Denmark.
Hector Rail was acting as operator and provided locomotives and drivers for the tests. The tests took place at the Great Belt Bridge. It is Hector Rail's ambition to constantly take the railway to new levels and this is a good example to visualize this ambition.
The locomotive used in the tests is a so-called "Taurus locomotive". These locomotives were built and approved for 230 km/h. Hector Rail has seven such locomotives in its fleet.
[DE/DK] Test runs with DB 182 506 and Hector Rail 242 502
update 2016|03|16
[DE/DK] Test runs with DB 182 506 and Hector Rail 242 502
They look entirely different now, but these locomotives have the same roots. Once they were both part of the Siemens (later MRCE) Dispolok leasing fleet. ES 64 U2-002 was sold to Hector Rail and is now the 242 502. ES 64 U2-006 was acquired by DB Systemtechnik and now hauls various DB test trains through Germany.
Lately the machines were in action together at the German-Danish border for testing the catenary. A picture from the test train in Padborg by Andreas Staal.
Could it get more colourful, after Railpool 185 679 pulled the National Express trains? Yes, it can. Now Hector Rail 242/182 517 is in service of the passanger operator, hauling Ersatz-Zuege. (Sven Jonas / Jannick Falk)
Hector Rail has since its inception in 2004 established itself as a powerful player in the rail market. With a strong customer focus, the business has grown to produce six million train kilometers annually. During the same time Hector Rail has invested over SEK 800 million (approximately EUR 90 million) in the loco fleet consisting of approximately 50 line haul locomotives. EQT Infrastructure II now enters as new majority owner of the company. EQT's ownership strengthens Hector Rail further and lays the foundation for further expansion and growth.
Hector Rail operates trains in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Germany. Hector Rail's customers are large industrial and transport companies. For these customers cost-effectiveness and quality are crucial criteria when selecting transportation partners. Financial stability and sustainability are also of fundamental importance.
Together with EQT Hector Rail will be able to continue developing the attractive offering in the rail market. The change in ownership is highly beneficial for Hector Rail’s continued expansion.
EQT views Hector Rail as a well-run business with a strong track record and an excellent reputation. EQT believes the railway will gain market shares going forward and has the ambition to realise substantial value creation opportunities together with the Company
The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2014 after customary anti-trust approvals.
In the work shops in Linz (AT), the seventh Hector Rail ES 64 U2 is nearing completion after retrofitting. The former MRCE ES 64 U2-004 has become 242.504 'Mr. Potato Head' as planned. Based on the plans of March, the 504 should go to Sweden. - Bahnforum.info
Three Hector Rail 242s are currently allocated in Sweden (503, 531 and 532) hauling Veolia passenger trains for example. 242.502, 516 and 517 are being used for freight transport in Germany.
Fresh from the paint shop, looking crispy. Portrait of Hector Rail 242.502 'Zurg', released last week from Linz in the livery of the Swedish freight operator. - MG/NE/PS
Hector Rail 242
2013-05-10
[AT/DE] Hector Rail 242.502 -Zurg- [update]
update 2013|05|10
[AT/DE] Hector Rail 242.502 -Zurg- [update]
ES 64 U2-002 is no more, long live Hector Rail 242.502. Yesterday the freshly repainted locomotive, with nick name 'Zurg', left Linz in Austria, heading for Germany.
[SE] Hector Rail purchases MRCE ES 64 U2-002 and 004 (and 42 coaches from the Netherlands)
update 2013|03|27
[SE] Hector Rail purchases MRCE ES 64 U2-002 and 004 (and 42 coaches from the Netherlands)
Friday next week, Hector Rail will get two more ES 64 U2 locomotives delivered from MRCE: ES 64 U2-002 and 004 will be handed over to the Swedish operator. The future 242.502 will get the name 'Zurg', unit 504 will be 'Mr Potato Head'. One of these machines will go to Sweden, one will stay in Germany. 242.516 will transfer to Sweden. - Hector Rail / PT
With these machines, Hector Rail will own seven such machines. Yesterday, Hector Rail published the news about its purchase of 42 passenger coaches from the Netherlands. It is clear, Hector Rail widens its scope. The operator from Sweden is predominantly active in freight traffic, but also provides traction for Veolia passenger trains in Sweden. Now it takes this last activity one step further:
Hector Rail buys 42 passenger coaches for 200 km/h: Since 2007 Hector Rail provides traction for passenger trains in Sweden. Hector Rail has in recent years invested in seven locomotives approved for up to 230 km/h. More and more service providers are exploring opportunities in the fully liberalized Swedish rail passenger market. Hector Rail has decided to extend its offering from traction only to whole train sets approved for 200 km/h. Used coaches purchased in Holland can be upgraded according to a service provider’s requirements.
Hector Rail will not enter the rail passenger market itself. The intention is to offer a complete train system to a service provider who is interested in not only creating a cost-effective, but also a fast and comfortable travel market offering. The technical standard and interior can be adapted on the targeted passenger market segments.
[DE/SE] 242.517 in Hector Rail livery; first day of work
update 2012|11|28
[DE/SE] 242.517 in Hector Rail livery; first day of work
In the past weeks, the former ES 64 U2-017, has been repainted in the workshops of Linz (AT). The image shows the machine in its new Hector Rail livery, with service number 242.517 and its new name: Fitzgerald.
All five ES 64 U2-locomotives that are property of Hector Rail from Sweden (242.503, 517, 516, 531, 532) now sport the livery of the this company. At this moment, unit 503, 531 and 532 are in Sweden, the 517 will join the 516 for services in Germany. A big thanks to AS
Hector Rail 242
2012-11-09
[EU] Various livery news
update 2012|11|09
[EU] Various livery news
News collected from the paint shops in the last couple of months:
- RTC ES 64 F4-007 has been repainted in the blue zebra-livery in Kassel.
- Captrain 185 550 now has the Captrain livery too.
- New logos for the LTE EuroRunner locomotives.
- Hector Rail ES 64 U2-017 is in Linz. Its black livery is replaced with orange and grey
- More Akiem 37000s re-appear in a neutral silver livery; 37013, 37016 and 37017.
AKIEM BB 37000Captrain Traxx AC1Hector Rail 242LTE 2016RTC ES 64 F4
Yesterday, the former ES 64 U2-032 left the workshops of Linz. Today it arrived in Germany, tomorrow it will continue its journey to Sweden. It is the third ES 64 U2-locomotive for Hector Rail to get the full Swedish package. It arrived in Linz for its refit in November 2011. The black livery has been replaced by the orange and grey of Hector. Its new service number is 242.532. It has a new nickname: Lightyear.
This should be the third and last Hector ES64U2 that will be used in Sweden. 242.516 and ES 64 U2-017 will stay 'here' (Germany/Austria). - KAR/DSO
Hector Rail 242
2011
2011-10-21
[SE] Today, first Veolia service with Hector Rail 242 series
update 2011|10|21
[SE] Today, first Veolia service with Hector Rail 242 series
Today the first Veolia service from Stockholm to Malmö v.v. will be pulled by a Hector Rail 242 series locomotive. Since this week these machines are approved for revenue services in Sweden. - DSO / NO
Hector Rail owns five 242 series locomotives, all bought from leasing company MRCE. 242.503, 531 and 532 will be used in Sweden. 242 516 and 517 will not get the Sweden-package (for now) and willbe used in Germany.
Edit: images of the first run added. Thanks to Niklas Olsson and Daniel Majd.
Hector Rail 242
2011-10-14
[SE] Hector Rail 242s homologated for Sweden...
update 2011|10|14
[SE] Hector Rail 242s homologated for Sweden...
..albeit with one restriction; Hector Rail poeple need to check the temperature of the axle bearings of the locomotives on a regular basis. The systems installed at the Swedish tracks, that normally detect the temperature, can not do that with ES64U2 axles appearantly. - DSO
Currently, Hector Rail 'LaMotta' / 242.531 is still in Linz (AT) for all the adjustments for running in Sweden. - EBFO
Hector Rail 242
2011-08-31
[AT] various news from Linz (e.g. 1216 in green - 1116 153 CATS)
update 2011|08|31
[AT] various news from Linz (e.g. 1216 in green - 1116 153 CATS)
Last June, the work shops of Linz outshopped Hector Rail 242.503 'Balboa' after an extensive refurbishment. That engine was the first ready for services in Sweden. 182.531 'LaMotta' is now in Linz.
Siemens 21415, soon to be delivered to the WLC, and the very last ES64U4 so it seems, is also in Linz. It is painted in green and white. It will get a promotional livery for Hödlmayr.
The same Bahnforum.info show OBB 1116 153 in black, soon to promote the musical CATS.
This week, SZ 541.007 and 016 were damaged in Jesenice (SI). They had a frontal collision with a train set, while heading a freight train. Some extra work for Linz.. - GA
Hector Rail 242ÖBB 1016/1116SZ 541WLC 1216
2011-05-30
[SE] Hector Rail 242 series, an update
update 2011|05|30
[SE] Hector Rail 242 series, an update
At this moment, MRCE Dispolok has officially sold four ES 64 U2 series locomotives to Swedish operator Hector Rail. Number five is soon to come. The future 242 series locomotives are in various stages of rebranding and refitting for their new owner.
Last week Hector Rail published the news that it has been contracted by Veolia to haul their Stockholm and Malmö-services (and some special trains winter resort areas in Northern Sweden) for the next five years. Hector Rail also states that it will provide locomotives with a vmax of 200 kph from this fall.
Hector Rail owns two types of locomotives that could deliver, when adjusted and approved; the 141 series (ex OBB 1012) and the recently purchased ES 64 U2s (soon to be the new 242 series). Three 242s will be available for the Veolia contract. The current status, afawk:
ES 64 U2-031 > running in Germany as 182.531 'LaMotta', repainted with high-performance text
ES 64 U2-003 > in Linz, Austria for overhaul and refitting, repainted in April 2011
ES 64 U2-016 > running in Germany als 242.516 'Ferdinand', repainted, no high-performance text
ES 64 U2-017 > since 05.05.2011 property of Hector Rail, running for Hector Rail, black livery
ES 64 U2-032 > to be purchased (planned)
Number one is not yet certified for Sweden, but already a second ES64U2 locomotive is purchased by Hector Rail. Again it is a machine form the MRCE Dispolok fleet, so most likely, unit ES 64 U2-032 will transfer to Sweden soon. Since the first one was bought, Hector Rail has an option on buying three units from MRCE Dispolok, but it is not clear of this second one is part of this option. - Hector Rail
Hector Rail 242
2010-08-28
[SE] tada: Hector Rail 242.001
update 2010|08|28
[SE] tada: Hector Rail 242.001
During the past week, former ES 64 U2-031 has completed its metamorphosis in Västerås (SE). Now it reappears, fresh and shiny as 242.001 'LaMotta' in the livery of its new employer, Hector Rail. According to unofficial sources, the 242.001 will complete various test runs in Sweden in week 35-39, then return to Linz (AT) in week 40, where it will get a technical overhaul in week 41 to 49. So revenue service with 242.001 in Sweden is not expected to start before the end of 2010. - postvagnen.com / AS
Hector Rail 242
2010-08-21
[SE] first spot of a Hector 242 in Sweden
update 2010|08|21
[SE] first spot of a Hector 242 in Sweden
For all of you being curious about the current status of ES 64 U2-031 for Hector Rail, it's still yellow and silver.
Hector Rail 242
2010-08-14
[SE] MRCE Dispolok sells one ES64U2 unit to Hector Rail [update]
update 2010|08|14
[SE] MRCE Dispolok sells one ES64U2 unit to Hector Rail [update]
This link goes to the website of Hector Rail, operator from Sweden. They have acquired one ES64U2 from MRCE Dispolok, with an option for four more. On 16.08.2010 already, homologation runs will have to start. MRCE plans on selling the ES 64 U2-031 to Hector Rail, which is indeed 10 years old, as said in the press statement. In fact, it's the oldest locomotive in the MRCE Dispolok fleet. It was the first ES64U2 delivered to Siemens Dispolok in the yellow and silver Dispolok livery, back in August 2000.
Unit 031 will travel to Sweden by boat, via Rostock. When looking at the Hector Rail numbering scheme, 242.001 would be the most logical new designation for this engine. - KAR/GA/Hector Rail
Hector Rail 242
Alstom
