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At this moment, Bombardier is delivering TRAXX AC3 locomotives to DB Cargo extra fast. Next to the locomotives part of the regular delivery schedule (now at no. 187 131 REV 26.07.2017) also five 'stock' machines are made ready for DB Cargo: 187 080-084. The first two are already in revenue service, 187 082 completed a test run today.

The arrival of 187 080-084 should not change the total number of TRAXX AC3s on order for DB Cargo. This number remains 110. (CK/EK 8/2017)

During the last months several TRAXX AC3 electrics have been seen that did have the DB Cargo livery, but not its logos. Examples were the designated 187 080 and 081. It suggests that these machines are built for other potential customers that place small orders and expect short delivery times. But no, today the 187 080 was transported to DB Cargo in Mannheim, now in full DB livery.

DB Cargo Traxx AC3

This Monday, the new 187 127 and 128 left Kassel. Two new locomotives for freight operator DB Cargo. Time for an update these new standard locomotives:

And the two newbees in the picture:

Photos: Alex Huber / Daniel Kempf / Christian Klotz / Rolf Alberts / Axel Schaer / Helmuth van Lier

Today, 187 109, 120 and 122 for DB Cargo were taken from Bombardier in Kassel to Mannheim, home base of many electrics of the freight operator. In Kassel, 187 126 completed its maiden run. Photo: Christian Klotz

Brand new 187 116 seen on 16.01.2017 in Heddesheim / Hirschberg. Photo: Valentin Andrei.

DB Cargo 187 109 with freight train near Porz-Wahn, 12.01.2017. Photo: Sven Jonas

Yes, it is hard, hard to keep track of all the new locomotives currently being outshopped, tested, delivered and handed-over. But appearantly, there was still a next level... Today nine machine left Kassel, in one train: 147 014, 011, 007, 010 for DB Regio in Stuttgart, plus 187 106, 100, 107, 105 for DB Cargo. Photo: Christian Klotz and Martin Voigt

During the past years, DB Cargo's future 187 106 has been used many times for tests and trials. Today it was making the standard test round for new TRAXX locomotives, starting in Kassel. This often tells us that the machine got its final configuration and it will be handed over to the customer soon. Photo: Martin Voigt

On maiden run today: DB Cargo 187 107. Yesterday 187 111 was seen too. Photo: Christian Klotz

After a long stay at Kassel Rangierbahnhof, 187 100 and 105 were moving again on 10.11.2016. Together with 187 104 they have been used for tests at the Velim test center in the Czech Republic until the summer. Photo: Christian Klotz

Yesterday, a 'Lokzug' (a train with only locomotives) was seen around Munich, with several interesting new locomotives, that have not been delivered to a customer yet: Alpha Trains 186 202 + future ELL 193 256 + future Railpool 187 316 + Alpha Trains 186 242 + future DB Cargo 187 103 with Bombardier flex panels. Thanks to Michael Raucheisen.

Four locomotives in various liveries on test in Schwarzach-St. Veit: Future DB Cargo 187 103, Alpha Trains 186 242, Railpool 187 305 and Lokomotion 186 442.

Still something special, but standard in the future, a DB Cargo 187 series locomotive in the 'working field'. Ralf Lauer was able to catch the 187 114 on 15.09.2016 in Mainz-Bischofsheim.

On 06.09.2016, DB Cargo 187 113 left Kassel. The machine ran under its own power to Gremberg, where it will be used for staff training. The machine has revision date 02.09.2016. There is no red 'flex panel' installed, like we saw before on 187 101, 102 and 108.

On 07.09.2016, DB Cargo 187 114 (rev 05.09.2016) was next. It will be sent of the Mainz-Bischofsheim.

At the same day, DB Cargo 187 115 had its maiden run.

The red locomotive parade of today continues: The future DB Cargo 187 115 had its maiden run today, as was documented by Christian Klotz:

The production continues. This morning, DB Cargo's future 187 114 had its maiden run. A picture from Kassel-Oberzwehren. Thank you Marcus.

Today, DB Cargo's future 187 113 completed its maiden run. (CK)

An unusual sight: DB Cargo locomotive 187 106 and double deck coaches. Seen at Hennigsdorfer test tracks and photographed by Norman Gottberg.

The production of TRAXX AC3 locomotives for the German railways is gaining momentum. For DB Schenker 187 118 and 119 have been completed. For DB Regio locomotive no.9 will soon be painted and is than ready for assembly.

An unique combination, you maybe will never see again. DB Cargo's 189 001 testing with three future colleague locomotives: 187 100, 104 and 105. Norman Gottberg was able to catch this train at the test ring in VUZ Velim in the Czech Republic. Lately, the new TRAXX AC3s for DB Cargo are being tested a lot in combination with other locomotives. We also recorded test runs with 185s for example.

Yesterday, three TRAXX AC3 locomotives left Kassel, heading for Mannheim: 187 101, 102 and 108 (DbZ 93654). These are the first three machines of their type that are going to be used by DB Cargo in revenue service. The delivery is not final yet. All three locomotives have a Flex Panel by the way. (Albert Hitfield / Wolfgang Scheer / Stefan Rother / Robin Asiédu)

You may have read about the current re-organization of the Deutsche Bahn. Together with consultation company McKinsey, it is redefining its services and organizational structure, so it can face the rapidly changing market circumstances.

One of the measures taken is the merger of all rail transport services of the Deutsche Bahn into one division now called 'Traffic & Transport'. Railfreight logistics is taken out of the logistics division and will continue under the 'good old' DB Cargo brand name. To the outside world the Traffic & Transport division will brand itself as 'DB' so we don't expect locomotives nor carriages to get DB Cargo logos again. So the DB logo currently in use will stay as it is.

The non-rail logistic services will continue under the name DB Schenker. Separating the rail related activities from the rest fits the strategy to (partially) sell the new DB Schenker. DB has intentions to do this, but faces strong opposition form the German government. To be continued.

For our website, it means we have to rename the owner name of several thousands of locomotives. This will be done in one big batch. We are working on it.

Normally, the newest locomotive in a batch gets the highest designated number. Sometimes this does not happen. The newest TRAXX AC3 for DB Schenker that has left the factory at this moment no. 187 100. Remarkable as the DB Schenker batch numbering started with 187 101 in 2014.

On 26.02.2016 the machine was parked at Kassel Rangierbahnhof, one day later it was picked up by RailAdventure's 139 series locomotive. The machine went to the VUZ test center in Velim (CZ) for testing.

It was almost impossible to publish anything about the TRAXX AC3 for DB Schenker, and not ending up in a discussion about the 'container style' design of the body of these new machines. But this may be over soon. For the first time we bring you a DB 187 series locomotives with Flex Panel, the canvas cover on its sides. The image shows the 187 108 today in a maiden run near Kassel with a complete red Flex Panel and small DB logos. (Christian Klotz)

Today in Kassel: shiny brand new DB 187 105. (Christian Klotz)

2016 should be the year in which DB Schenker's new generation freight locomotives should enter revenue service, in Germany. A bit later than expected. More units are now appearing. This is our first image of machine no. 187 104, taken in Bad Schandau. Locomotives with higher number have been seen around Kassel. (Christian Klotz / Filip Dittrich)

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).

Meanwhile, testing the new AC3s in Germany is continuing. This test train in Minden shows DB 187 102 and 147 002 (our first image of this machine) behind a mkb locomotive on 02.07.2015. (Klaus Görs)

Well, one thing is missing, a proper freight train, but this is free shot on the new generation of AC freight locomotives for DB Schenker Rail Deutschland. At this moment, Bombardier has completed 187 101, 102 and 103 which are available for tests. The approval of this new type (top speed 140 kph, no Last Mile feature, approval for Germany) is pending. 110 pieces are on order for freight transport right now, most likely a number that will be raised on the future.

Bombardier has chosen some interesting rolling stock to execute the latest test runs with DB Schenker's future 187 103. These images show the machine with two rakes of coaches belonging to Railroad Development Corporation (RDC) Deutschland. These are former 4010 series coaches that were once property of the Austrian railways. They were refurbished for RDC's Hamburg-Köln-Express (HKX) but are now available for other purposes.

(Jannick Falk)

Bombardier trials from Trier to Merzig, with the future DB Schenker 187 102 heading the test train. - RW/LS

New red locomotives on the move. MRCE ES 64 U2-015 pulls a transport including the red 147 001 and 187 102 for the German railways (DB). Images from Trebbin. - NG

Extra: Also DB Schenker's 187 103 has been seen in transport lately.

After a visit to the VUZ Velim test center in Cerhenice (CZ), DB Schenker's future 187 101 was brought back to Kassel by RailAdventure last week. - MS/CK DB Cargo Traxx AC3

DB Cargo Traxx AC3 DB Regio Traxx AC3

Today, DB Schenker 187 102 and DB Regio 147 001 arrived in Krefeld. This resulted in a nice line up with older Traxx types and the blue mgw Vectron. The title picture is also the first portrait of the 147 001, showing clearly its destination display. - WS

DB Cargo Traxx AC3 DB Regio Traxx AC3

There has been some discussion about the ribbed sides of the locomotive. To us, these side walls is identical to the constrcution of the walls of the 187.0 series 'Last Mile' locomotives. The only difference is that the 'Flexpanel' construction is not there yet, including the covers of the frame.

DB Cargo Traxx AC3

Yesterday, Metronom locomotive 246 005 was seen in Ramelsloh. It came Kassel after a R1 revision. - PB

Railcolor: More information about these trains:

Alpha Trains TRAXX MS2e DB Cargo Traxx AC3 LNVG 246 NS TRAXX MS2e

Railadventure's 139 558 brought a Innotrans transfer-train to Bad Schandau-Ost. After leaving the Skoda RegioPanther there the journey continued back to Dresden. Behind the 139 there was also the Bombardier 245 014, 187 009 and the CD Railjet coaches. The picture shows the train ready for departure from Dresden heading westwards, probably going to Leipzig. - BW DB Cargo Traxx AC3 DB Traxx DE Multi Engine Siemens Vectron locos used for test and promotion

Railcolor: More information about these trains:

DB Cargo Traxx AC3 DB Traxx DE Multi Engine

Bombardier is currently building the first representatives of the new Traxx family of the DB. For sure they will be starring at the next Innotrans railway fair. Both DB Schenker (freight services, 110 units ordered) and DB Regio (regional transport, 20 units ordered) will get this new machines. These machines will be the designated 187 and 147 series respectively.

A scale model of the 187 series was presented during the Munich transport&logistics fair in 2013. This is the first image of its passenger transport version. Bombardier states that it has the Last Mile option, but as far as we know, the DB locomotive will not feature this equipment. DB Cargo Traxx AC3 DB Regio Traxx AC3

Today, Bombardier officially announced a new order for Traxx locomotives. It is part of the already announced frame work agreement with the German railways for up to 450 new units, to be delivered between 2015 and 2023. The DB still had to approve this plan internally, what has been done in the mean time.

This statement is still a bit vague on the exact configuration of the new machines, but most likely DB Schenker will get 110 locomotives based on the new Traxx AC3 platform, with or without Last Mile feature. No clue however about the configuration of the twenty DB Regio locomotives. DB Cargo Traxx AC3 DB Regio Traxx AC3