A new TRAXX AC3 locomotive for lease company Akiem is ready-to-go: 187 500. The silver locomotive was first seen on 14.07.2017 at Kassel. It seems to be a 'simple' locomotive equipped for Germany only, and not Last mile-diesel module installed. Photo: Christian Klotz

The 5xx range is a new number series for this type of locomotive. It is also the first new AC3 locomotive for Akiem since the delivery of 187 011-014 in January-February 2016. Akiem and Bombardier signed a framework agreement for more TRAXX AC3 and MS2e locomotives in June 2016.

Update 16.07.2017: The machine was taken to the VUZ Velim test center during the weekend.

Press statement Akiem:

Akiem, the European leader in locomotive leasing, has acquired German company mgw Service, a major independent player in electric and diesel locomotive maintenance in Europe. The transaction covers the entire share capital of mgw Service and was signed at the end of 2016 by Antje Wallraff and Klaus Weiss, the founding partners and heads of mgw Service, and Fabien Rochefort, Chief Executive Officer of Akiem.

mgw Service provides preventive and corrective maintenance for locomotives on behalf of rail freight and passenger operators. The headquarters of the 70-strong company is based in Kassel (Hesse State). It operates mainly in Germany from its own workshop in Krefeld (North Rhine-Westphalia State) and in Sweden (Hallsberg, Orebro County), but also in Switzerland, Italy and Poland. mgw Service possesses the skills, equipment and spare-part logistics required to cover an extensive range of electric and diesel locomotives. It generated estimated 2016 revenue of close to €20 million from a broad portfolio of private and incumbent operators.

This external growth transaction is part of Akiem’s programme to accelerate its expansion in Europe and step up its investment in new locomotive fleets capable of serving from Germany to Central Europe, Sweden, the North Sea area, and Italy. This will enable Akiem to reinforce its leasing with maintenance offering. mgw Service’s current managerial team will remain in place and the company will continue to operate under the name mgw Service. The complementary leasing and maintenance activities will enable Akiem and its subsidiary, mgw Service, to expand their networks and broaden the nature and level of performance of the services they provide to European operators.

“We are extremely satisfied with this transaction, which gives mgw Service the support of a European leader like Akiem. Our company’s growth is now assured by once again expanding our European base so that we can serve all our customers with ever more dedication and commitment,” said Klaus Weiß, CEO of mgw Service.

Fabien Rochefort, CEO of Akiem, said: “For Akiem, this acquisition is a significant step forward for our expansion in Europe. Akiem is determined to support and develop mgw Service and the synergies with our leasing business. The high professional standards and quality of service offered by both Akiem and mgw Service will enable us to offer our customers new services and provide better solutions for prospective customers in Europe.”

Signed on 28 December 2016, the acquisition should come into force following the decision of the European competition authorities, which is expected for the end of the first quarter of 2017.

A special transport of Akiem > Captrain 187 011 on 28.10.2016: six Vossloh locomotives. Four green/grey G6 shunters and two yellow G1206 type machines, the very last ones of this type to be produced. Vossloh's G1206 was in production since 1997 and at least 323 units have been produced, which is remarkable when you know it was not developed nor ordered by any state railway company (usually a solid basis for new product development). The final orders all came from France, where the machine was still wanted by railway construction companies and local freight operators. Our thanks goes out to Jens Vollertsen for the picture.

Later this year, railfreight operator Raildox will get its own TRAXX AC3. For now, it can practice with Akiem>Captrain's 187 014. Thank you Janosh Richter / KAR.

- First call-off includes 26 locomotives
- The TRAXX platform enables Akiem to offer locomotives in multiple countries

Rolling stock leasing company Akiem and Bombardier Transportation have signed a framework agreement for 52 TRAXX AC and MS locomotives with options for additional call offs. The agreement is conditional upon financial closing related to Akiem Holding. The first batch of 26 locomotives ordered from this framework agreement is valued at a list price of approximately 95 million euro. Deliveries of the first units are scheduled to take place in 2017.

With a large selection of TRAXX AC3, and MS locomotives, this partnership allows for various technical options, such as the Last Mile and remote control feature for TRAXX AC3 locomotives.

The TRAXX locomotives supplied will be configured for use in up to 13 different countries and will be fully compliant to the latest European standards including ETCS (European Train Control System) Baseline 3, when required. This will give Akiem the opportunity to extend the operational range of its locomotives and offer its customers a high degree of flexibility.

“This significant investment with Bombardier will extend Akiem’s fleet up to 100 TRAXX locomotives by 2018. We are accelerating our positioning on German and Austrian national markets as well as major European corridors towards Sweden, Benelux, Switzerland, Italy, Poland and Central Europe” said Fabien Rochefort, CEO of Akiem: “Through this successful partnership with Bombardier, Akiem keeps developing services combining performance, proximity and security to meet our clients’ requirements.”

Michael Fohrer, President, Locomotives, Light Rail Vehicles and Services, Bombardier Transportation, added, “We have been working with Akiem since 2011 and we are extremely happy to continue our long term partnership under this frame contract. This agreement enables Bombardier to consolidate the TRAXX locomotive’s presence in some of the most promising rail corridors.”

Johannes Klektau brings this image of Akiem's 187 014, currently being used for driver training at Raildox. This freight operator from Germany has one TRAXX AC3 Last Mile locomotive on order.

Yannick Joshua Schmidt provided this image of Akiem 187 014 on its way from Denzlingen (DE) to Oensingen (CH). The machine will run for Swiss operator railCare and will pull freight trains over the Lötschberg and Gotthard line.

The image below (left) shows the machine with railCare train 63688 from Brig to Niederbottingen. The train has just passed through the station of Lalden on the Lötschberg southramp. The image on the left shows the machine with the last test train before its return to Germany (Brenno Arcara). For these tests, Bombardier hired the 187 014 from Captrain Deutschland and made it available to railCare (KAR).

Last Mile shunting in action with Akiem > Captrain 187 013 by Andreas Staal. And more images added by Andreas Staal and Berthold Hertzfeldt.

Lately we saw the new 187 014 parked in Basel (Tobias Schmidt). We now also have an image of the transfer of the locomotive to Basel. In Switzerland it will be used for test runs on behalf of Bombardier. (François Pobez)

In Basel at this moment: Akiem > Captrain 187 014. It is the first time we see this locomotive after it has been handed over to Captrain by Akiem. Thanks Tristan Zielinksi. It makes us proud that we were able to contribute to the design of the locomotive.

Akiem has handed over all four its TRAXX AC3 locomotive to Captrain Deutschland now (187 014 completed the quartet last week). This means 187 011-014 are now available for revenue service. The first image we have seen of a Captrain 187 with freight train emerged today, taken by Fabian Kopf. It shows 187 011 with bomber train today on its way to Passau (DE).

As of March 2016, Deutsche Asset Management (Deutsche AM) will hold a 50% stake in Akiem. At this moment, the Franch leasing copany is a 100% subsidiary of the Ermewa Group, part of SNCF.

Together with Deutsche Asset Management (Deutsche AM), Akiem wants to expand its activities in Europe, a double its fleet in the next ten years.

Bombardier Transportation announced today that its Bombardier TRAXX AC3 Last Mile Locomotive has been homologated in Austria. This means the TRAXX AC Last Mile locomotive is now approved for operation in the entire DACH region: Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Christian Diewald, Managing Director Bombardier Transportation Austria, said, “Approval in Austria is another very important milestone for further implementing of TRAXX AC3 Last Mile locomotives in Central Europe, but also in Austria itself. It is the only locomotive which has already proven its strong performance in Last Mile operation during many successful test runs in Austria as well as in commercial operation in Switzerland – now it is ready for revenue service in Austria.”

On 29.01.2016, lease company officially handed over three of their Last Mile locomotives to operator Captrain Deutschland in Dortmund. 187 011, 012 and 013 are all silver with the wellknown lime colored cabs and Captrain logos.

Akiem 187 014 will stay a bit longer with Bombardier for extra tests.

Our railway design agency has been busy lately. Next to posters, books, websites we again have been working on a locomotive livery. This time were joined forces with Akiem and dressed up the new 187 014. Two different Flex Panels were made, one in German, one in English, and both cabins of the machine were colorized in the corporate colours of lease company Akiem. A new Railcolorful addtion we think. Soon on track in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, operated by Captrain. (Christian Klotz / Antoine Leclerq)

It has begin, maiden runs with new TRAXX AC3 locomotives for operation in Germany. The image above shows Akiem 187 011 during its maiden run from Kassel to Fulda on 21.12.2015. The machine already has the logos and colors of its future employer, Captrain. Three more AC3s will follow for Akiem: 187 012 and 013 in the same outfit. 187 014 will be something special, more colorful... We will keep you posted. (Antoine Leclercq / Christian Klotz)

On 22.12.2015, Akiem 187 012 had its maiden run:

Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation announced today that its BOMBARDIER TRAXX AC3 Last Mile Locomotive has been homologated in Germany. The locomotive received official approval for operation from the German Railway Authority Eisenbahn-Bundesamt (EBA) on 17.12.2015.

Ulrich Jochem, Head of Locomotives, Bombardier Transportation, said, "Approval by the German Railway Authority is a very important milestone for further implementing the TRAXX AC3 Last Mile locomotive in Central Europe. The TRAXX AC3 Last Mile locomotive will make it possible to utilize entirely new logistics concepts."

The TRAXX locomotive's Last Mile features an innovative support diesel engine with an accompanying traction battery and a remote control for shunting. Together, these systems enable this electric locomotive to efficiently bridge sections of non-electrified track. This ability is put to great use in places like ports, terminals, depots or factories where a supporting diesel shunting locomotive is often called in to help trains cross the final, non-electrified, track sections known as the "last mile". Efficiently, economically (with one driver only) and environmentally friendly, the TRAXX AC3 Last Mile locomotives use their support diesel engines only when necessary, and are entirely emission-free when operating in traction battery mode while providing full traction performance also in last mile mode. The TRAXX AC3 Last Mile locomotive is also the first locomotive with the Last Mile functionality to receive homologation in Germany.

Bombardier has already received over 240 orders for different TRAXX AC3 locomotive variants and the innovative locomotive has also won various certifications in accordance with the applicable TSI (technical specifications for interoperability).

In 2014, Bombardier built four Traxx AC3 locomotive with last Mile shunting module for lease company Akiem. The designated 187 011-014 are silver with a grey painted frame. They will be homologated for services in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. On 09.05.2015 three of these machine left the Bombardier factories perimeters in Kassel, together with DB Regio's future 146 254.

The authorization was granted after extensive testing of the eight locomotives ordered by Railpool, three of which were deployed in Switzerland by BLS. Four more will be delivered to Akiem, and an additional Traxx AC3 locomotive with the innovative Last Mile feature was handed over last week to the Swiss company Swiss Rail Traffic (SRT). The locomotive's Last Mile feature, a combination of auxiliary diesel engine and battery, will help SRT bridge a five-kilometre non-electrified line section.

The Last Mile feature enables the locomotive to cover the frequently non-electrified "last mile" in ports, container terminals, saw mills or railway stations under its own power, rendering shunting locomotives and other solutions obsolete. In fact, Last Mile-equipped locomotive are able to run on non-electrified line sections on their own power for up to eight hours – without reducing tractive effort as compared with running under catenary wire. Official Traxx locomotive approval is also expected in Austria and Germany in the immediate future. - Bombardier 187 001-003 - test bed locomotives 187 009-010 - test bed locomotives Akiem Traxx AC3 Last Mile Railpool Traxx AC3 LM Swiss Rail Traffic TRAXX AC3

Extending your reach in rail, that is the slogan of Bombardier during the t&l fair in Munich, that opened today. The company offers information of all its latest products. The two main items:

> Bombardier Traxx AC Last Mile Locomotive is currently in the approval process
> Last Mile function with additional low-emission Diesel engine and battery enables the seamless transportation of goods

Railcolor: On the place where a red 186 series locomotive was exhibited, two years ago, now a Bombardier Traxx AC3 Last Mile locomotive is parked. Locomotive 187 003 has special red flex panels for the fair, also sporting the logos of DB Schenker Rail. The latter company has opted for many new Traxx locomotives for its freight oparator, but there is no official order for machines with last mile option. For now, twelve Last Mile have been sold by Bombardier. Five new machines and the three prototypes will be delivered to lease company Railpool. Four more will be built for leasing company Akiem. 187 001-003 - test bed locomotives Akiem Traxx AC3 Last Mile Railpool Traxx AC3 LM

"The TRAXX AC with Last Mile function is currently undergoing homologation. Launch customers are Railpool and Akiem."

Also, the French company Akiem has decided to order Last Mile Traxx locomotives, being the second customer of this new type of locomotive.

In March Akiem already published a data sheet on Traxx MS locomotives homologated for Germany/Austria and Poland, so the leasing company will get two different Traxx locomotive types. Akiem Traxx AC3 Last Mile

On 16.05.2013, Bombardier Transportation proved today that its Traxx AC Last Mile locomotive is closing the logistics gap in the rail sector during a customer and press event in Velim, Czech Republic. The Last Mile mode, a combination of diesel engine and support traction battery premiered by Bombardier, allows rail vehicles to overcome short distances without catenaries.

At the test circuit in Velim, the Traxx AC Last Mile locomotive (Railcolor: 187 003) showed that it can haul trains weighing up to 2,000 tonnes not only on electrified lines but also in Last Mile mode. The locomotive masters short distances on non-electrified lines without producing any emissions by using only its battery. This will enable rail companies to manage traffic into harbours, freight terminals and loading depots without additional trucks or shunting locomotives.

In Last Mile mode, the locomotive reaches a top speed of 40 km/h while hauling heavy trains and up to 60 km/h running alone. On electrified lines, it reaches up to 160 km/h. The transition from electric to diesel traction is performed dynamically, which means without stopping. The Last Mile function thereby enables operators to benefit from the huge environmental advantage of an electric locomotive running also on short non-electrified lines.

The TRAXX AC with Last Mile function is currently undergoing homologation. Launch customers are Railpool and Akiem. Railpool will lease three of these locomotives to the Swiss railway company, BLS Cargo. “This new locomotive harmoniously combines economy and ecology, a big advantage for our customers in the global market,” said Janis Vitins, Director Marketing and Product Planning, Locomotives, Bombardier Transportation. “Around the world, we are facing challenges to people’s mobility and the environment due to urbanisation. Bombardier is at the forefront of developing precisely fitting technologies that improve total vehicle performance to move more people and regarding the TRAXX AC Last Mile especially more goods than ever before efficiently.” Locomotives are the backbone of most freight and many passenger services around the world.

187 001-003 - test bed locomotives Akiem Traxx AC3 Last Mile