The moment is there, DB Regio has started to use its newest locomotive series in revenue service. Last week, the first 147s were seen with passenger trains in the Stuttgart region, being used for pulling/pushing 'N-Wagen' rakes, always with a 111 series locomotive as a back-up. Marco Eberbach was able to portrait such a train on the first day of service in Ludwigsburg. DB Regio 147 013 and 111 025 pushing train RB 39915 from Heilbronn to Stuttgart.

The lines mentioned where the 147s can be introduced (source DSO):
RE Stuttgart - Würzburg
IRE Stuttgart - Karlsruhe
RE Stuttgart - Heidelberg
RE Stuttgart - Singen

Update: Tobias Brüggemann took an image on 13.01.2017 in Nellmersbach.

Update 2: The 147s start to pull double deck trains too, as seen on 13.01.2017. 147 013 again pushing a RE Stuttgart-Heidelberg in Bruchsal. Photo: Jan Bläsi.

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

We are almost there, the shortest and possible darkest day of the year. In this dark and foggy ambiance, DB Regio's future 147 020 completed its maiden run today. Photo: Christian Klotz

To Fulda and back: today DB Regio 147 015 made a test run. Photo: Christian Klotz

Today, DB Regio 147 018 and NS E 186 043 had their turn, making a test run from and to Kassel. (Christian Klotz)

Marcus Alf was at Kassel-Oberzwehren today to catch two new locomotives on maiden run.

Maiden runs of today: DB Regio 147 014 and Railpool 186 293. - CK/MA

The completion of the first batch of twenty 147 series locomotives for DB Regio is in full swing. Today 147 003 had a test run. Last week we documented the maiden run of DB Regio 147 011, 012 and 013. A detail image of 147 013's allocation markings shows its future depot: DB Regio, Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart. - TZ/CK

Two TRAXX AC3 machines on maiden run today, for two different customers: Railpool's 187 309 and DB Regio 147 005. Thanks Christian.

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.

Since 01.04.2016, the future DB Regio 147 001 is out and about. That day it took over the test train (DB Regio coaches) that had been used for tests with DB Regio 147 002 until then. This happened in Kassel. The 147 002 was taken back into the Bombardier factory and the 147 001 went out. Then we got several portraits of the 001 running solo in northern Germany, in the Kiel area. Thanks to Berthold Hertzfeldt and Andreas Staal.

Two pictures, made on 16.03.2016, of the future 147 002 for DB Regio. The TRAXX AC3 locomotives was seen with passenger coaches during a test run from Kassel to Bielefeld. Thank you Martin Lauth / Bernd Loer. On 17.03.2016 the machine and its Prose test train was captured in Solingen (Kevin Hornung)

Picture by Christian Klotz

On transport today, two locomotives that have something to do with the Deutsche Bahn. The red machine is the future 147 003 for the DB. The white one is a DC Vectron equipped for Poland, that has been hired to DB Schenker Rail Polska for quite a while back in 2012-2013. Both machines come from the Czech Republic (VUZ Velim test center). (Marcus Schrödter)

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).

Up to date images of a test train with the future DB Regio 147 001. DB Fernverkehr 146 567 and MRCE ES 64 U2-015 are supporting here. (Helmuth van Lier / Nino Belovic).

BTW: this week Bombardier released DB Regio 147 004, which was sent to Cottbus, replacing the 147 003.

Currently in Cottbus: brand new DB Regio 147 003, fresh and shiny. (Oliver Wadewitz)

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)

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.

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

This is the first Traxx AC3 locomotive for DB Regio: 147 001. A first batch of twenty such locomotives have been ordered by the German railways (DB). Like the recently outshopped freight version of the AC3 for the DB, the 147 series has the 'ribbed' side walls.

The machine was photographed today in Kassel Rangierbahnhof together with DB Schenker 187 102. - CK DB Regio Traxx AC3

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