On 02.05.2017, the last three Vectron locomotives for PKP Cargo arrived in Poland. The image shows EU46-512 pulling the newbees EU46-515/514/513 in Opalenica. Photo: Jakub Dolniak

A 'Lastprobefahrt' last week with Siemens 247 905 gave us the opportunity to have a little peak into the future of the Siemens Vectron production. Siemens decided to use a batch of new Vectron electric units to serve as 'ballast weight' during the test runs. All machines are new and did not yet leave the factory gates.

Update: 247 905 has been handed over to InfraLeuna as a temporary replacement of 247 907, because Siemens will perform some finishing touches on the latter.

Alpha Trains Vectron MRCE Vectron PKP Cargo Vectron

A picture from this afternoon: PKP Cargo ES 64 F4-153 hauls EU46-507, 509 and 510. The three Vectron locomotives come back from Hungary, where they did approval runs in order to get homologated for revenue service in that country. We thank Vladislav Bokora for the image from Železná Studienka ('Eisenbrunnen Bratislava').

On 09.06.2016, Vectron locomotives no. EU46-508, 511 and 512 were handed over to PKP Cargo. Both images show the machine in Rzepin. Now twelve machines (501-512) are available to PKP Cargo. Three more will come in the near future, but with a different country specific package. These three units will also be operated in the Netherlands. - Frank Gollhardt / Sven Lehmann

Seen today, between Bratislava Hlavná Stanica and Bratislava Lamač. PKP Cargo Vectron now also run in Slovakia. Thank you Peter Melicher.

Today, three new Vectron's started their trip to Poland. Multi system locomotives EU46-507, -509 and -510 are the next three machines for PKP Cargo. - Sebastian Winter/Martin Voigt/Martin Lorenz

The picture above shows the future PKP Cargo PKP Cargo EU46-510, completing its maiden run last week. The first six machines are now in service and have become regular guests in Poland and Germany. Nice images are coming in. We share some nice ones with you:

On 05.04.2016, two new Vectron locomotives for PKP cargo completed their maiden run. First one up was 5370 019 / EU46-507, followed by 5370 021 / EU46-509. One day later (edit) EU46-510 was seen too. (Michael Raucheisen)

Last week, PKP Cargo sent it next three EU46 locomotives to Hungary for the neccessary approval tests. Various images of EU46-504/505/506 made by Norbert Tilai.

The first three PKP Cargo EU46-500 series locomotives have arrived in Hungary for the mandatory approval tests. Norbert Tilai was able to portrait EU46-501/-502/-503 today in Hegyeshalom.

Images of the first run of a PKP Cargo Vectron in revenue service in Germany. A steel train to Germany. Images by Frank Gollhardt. Fabias Gross also filmed PKP Cargo Vectron no. EU46-502 tonight with a freight train bound for Bremen. The footage was recorded in Nienburg (Weser).

Today, Siemens is sending the next three Vectron locomotives for PKP Cargo on their way to Poland. EU46-504, -505 and -506 were photographed by Sebastian Winter in Eisenach (DE).

In July the next three locomotives will be outshopped by Siemens. Locomotive 10-12 will arrive in August. For the final three machines, that will have an additional package for the Netherlands, no delivery date has been mentioned so far.

On the same day the machines arrived in Poland, PKP Cargo started test runs with freight trains with the new Vectrons. The title images shows the first run with a freight train in Poland yesterday, with EU46-502 and EU46-501. They pulled the train from Świnoujscie to Dąbrowa Gornicza. (Lucas Piotrowski)

Rynek-kolejowy.pl brings many images of the first two days of the locomotives in Poland.

In the early morning of 10.01.2016, the first three Vectrons for PKP Cargo left Munich heading for Poland. The three machines are numbered EU46-501/502/503 and are all approved for Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Poland and Hungary are also available but as you all know the machines first need individual approval from the national authorities of these countries before revenue services can really start. All three locomotive have 'Abnahmedatum' 14.12.2015. (Michael Raucheisen / Thomas Girstenbrei / Alexander Hdtv / Kevin Sommer / Nicolas Bialy)

In the evening the machines arrived in Berlin. On 11.01.2015 they were taken over by PKP Cargo and continued their journey to Poland. One machine was parked at Rzepin, the other two went on in the direction of Dabrowa Gornicza. A short video of 501 and 502 pulling a first train (1 min 33):

We have been waiting for it, and today is the day: The Siemens Vectron arrived in the Netherlands. Test locomotive 193 902 crossed the German-Dutch border this morning at Venlo. From there, Railfeeding locomotive no. 18 took the machine from there to Rotterdam-Waalhaven.

Siemens needs to complete the NL-homologation for the Vectron this year. In the second half of 2016, BLS Cargo expects to receive the first machines for long haul services from the Netherlands to Italy vv. PKP Cargo will get machines with DE/AT/HU/PL/CZ/SK/NL package in 2017. (Arnold de Vries / Henk Zwoferink)

First multi-system #locomotives from #SIEMENS successfully passed Factory Acceptance Test. #PKPCARGO #Vectron #EN pic.twitter.com/tjDkTP554r

— PKP CARGO (@pkpcargo_media) December 28, 2015

Grey and red it is. On 15.12.2015, three Vectron MS locomotives for PKP Cargo had a test run in a new livery for this Polish freight operator. The numbers are omni-present:

Only the EU46-503 had front numbers. The 501 still had a white front hatch, the one of 502 was grey.

Six units for PKP Cargo are known to us now. All with DE/AT/HU/PL/CZ/SK/RO package. Their Polish NVR numbers are 91 51 5370 013-018.

(Michael Raucheisen)

On 24.11.2015, three Vectron MS locomotives for PKP Cargo had their maiden run. All three had a neutral white livery, one had a ELL cab door :)

Polish freight operator PKP Cargo is granted 40 million euro by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The money is needed for the acquisition of Vectron multi system freight locomotives. 15 units are on order and an option is taken on 5 more. (nov-ost.info)

Meanwhile is clear that the locomotives will get a red and light grey or silver livery. So we have to say goodbye to the blue and lime.

...are making their first runs already. As Siemens can select locomotives from ongoing stock production, machines can be delivered very quickly. Three white stock locomotives are selected for PKP Cargo. They are now designated as 193 501-503, numbers that most likely will change later, as PKP rolling stock is generally numbered in line with the Polish NVR number scheme. (Michael Raucheisen)

Siemens 193 820, with additional stickers, served as presentation location today.

• 15 Vectron type multisystem locomotives
• Option for five more locomotives
• Equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS)
• Order includes spare parts supply and maintenance for eight years

PKP Cargo, the Polish logistics operator and rail freight carrier, has placed an order with Siemens for the delivery of 15 Vectron type multisystem locomotives. Besides the provision of spare parts and maintenance for a period of eight years, the order includes an option for five more Vectrons.

Twelve of these multisystem Vectrons are to be equipped to operate on the transit corridor running through Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The remaining three units are earmarked for service on the transit route through Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia. All the locomotives will be equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS). Delivery is scheduled to start at the beginning of 2016 and end in summer 2017. The locomotives will be built at the Siemens plant in Munich-Allach.

Railcolor impression of the Vectron is red/white livery as presented today. Nothing official here. It is also not clear if this livery will be the final one.

“This is our largest investment with regard to rolling stock for a long time. We have taken another solid step toward enhancing the international position of PKP Cargo and strengthening our presence in neighboring countries’ markets. Multisystem locomotives are the modern basis of rolling stock, which will make our international transport offering even more attractive and competitive for Polish and international customers,” says Adam Purwin, President of Management Board of PKP Cargo.

“The tender was specifically prepared to enable participation of as many locomotive manufacturers as possible. We also aimed to achieve fast execution of the contract, as only the well-equipped multisystem loco fleet will help us to implement our international development strategy,” explains Wojciech Derda, Management Board Member of PKP Cargo for Operations.

“With our Vectron locomotive, we were able to completely fulfill the corridor and performance requirements within the specified timeframe. Vectron is currently the only locomotive family in Europe that can do this,” said Jochen Eickholt, CEO of the Siemens Mobility Division.

Railcolor.net: Some more details: Delivery start is scheduled for February 2016. The 15 machines of the initial order cost 75 million euro. They will be delivered in three batches. The option requires an additional 26 million euro.

Rynek Kolejowy reports: Siemens is the only manufacturer that has made a complete offer for the latest tender for new locomotives for PKP Cargo. Newag offered only four machines for services in Germany and Poland.

PKP Cargo wants to purchase up till 20 new multi system electric locomotives (15+5 option) for freight services. There will be three sub series, with three different country specific packages: PL/DE/AT/CZ/SK/HU (8), PL/DE (4) and PL/DE/NL (3). In August 2016 the first two new machines should arrive.

PKP Cargo has opened a tender to buy 20 multi-system locomotives to serve cross-border rail connections. Five of them are optional. The value of the contract will be approximately PLN 400 million. Poland’s biggest rail carrier will deploy the first new locomotives in H2 2016. They will pull trains to Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary and the Netherlands. After the acquisition of the Czech carrier AWT for close to PLN 400 million, this is yet another step which consolidates the international position of the second largest freight carrier in the European Union.

Originally PKP Cargo considered the acquisition of ten multi-system locomotives with an option of buying another five; however, in view of the electrification of the border crossing with Germany at Węgliniec, it has decided to acquire 15 locomotives with an option of buying another five.

“The acquisition of multi-system locomotives is a milestone for PKP Cargo, especially in the context of the recently announced acquisition of the Czech carrier AWT. As we are expanding our international business, we are investing in new rolling stock. While we initially considered buying ten locomotives, we are now opening a tender for 15 multi-system locomotives with an option of buying another five. This will strengthen PKP Cargo’s capacity of operating international rail connections,” says Wojciech Derda, Board Member in charge of Operations at PKP Cargo.

The first two new locomotives approved for Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany and Austria will join PKP Cargo’s rolling stock in August 2016 and the last one, in March 2017. The tender covers full maintenance of the locomotives up to and including the first revision repair (level P4). A revision repair takes place after eight years of operation or a mileage of 1.2 mn km. A potential decision to acquire further locomotives may be made following an analysis of demand for such rolling stock.

PKP Cargo will require the vendor to have experience in the production of electric locomotives as well as type approval in at least one of the countries where the new locomotives will operate. This will ensure the highest quality of contract performance. The contract will have in place mechanisms which protect PKP Cargo against potential downtime of the locomotives, such as technical readiness and reliability indicators. Non-performance of the indicators will entail the payment of damages to PKP Cargo in order to cover the cost of substitution rolling stock.

The company previously owned only one multi-system locomotive (railcolor: EU45-846) and operated the others under operating lease. The solution allowed PKP Cargo to respond promptly and flexibly to changing conditions of transports and to obtain foreign safety certificates. Thanks to the certificates, PKP Cargo can operate transports single-handedly in nine European Union member states. At this time, PKP Cargo’s utilisation of multi-level locomotives has stabilised. Acquisition is the best option under these circumstances.

PKP Cargo’s existing multi-system locomotives
The first multi-system locomotives used by PKP Cargo from 2008 were EU43 (Traxx) machines produced by Bombardier. The carrier owned six such locomotives which operated transports between Poland and Germany. In 2012, the Bombardier locomotives were replaced with EU45 (EuroSprinter) machines produced by Siemens. Currently PKP Cargo uses ten such locomotives. They pull trains with containers, cars, steel, coal, coke, iron ore, chips, and car parts, among others. They run in the three main corridors: Poland-Czech Republic-Austria, Poland-Germany-Netherlands, and Germany-Poland-Czech Republic-Slovakia-Hungary.

PKP Cargo in 13 European countries
PKP Cargo will have access to 13 European markets after closing the acquisition of Advanced World Transport (AWT). Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania will join the group of serviced countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, the Netherlands, Hungary, and Lithuania. Apart from multi-system locomotives, PKP Cargo uses other types of locomotives for international transports. Diesel locomotives are used in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Lithuania. PKP Cargo deploys single-system electric locomotives in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

A carrier may enter a foreign market subject to obtaining a safety certificate issued by the local regulator. The procedure is similar in all European Union member states but it is conducted on a case-by-case basis. One of the requirements for a certificate to be issued is to operate locomotives approved in the given country. PKP Cargo has had its ET22 and ET41 electric locomotives and ST44 and SM42 diesel locomotives approved in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, among others.

PKP Cargo trains are driven by Polish train drivers in three countries: the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Germany. To drive a train abroad, train drivers are required to pass a language examination and get local train driver certification. PKP Cargo uses the services of third-party drivers in the other countries.

Read the complete press statement here. MRCE ES64F4 PKP Cargo Vectron Tenders, bids and planned locomotive orders

PKP Cargo is about to announce a tender for ten new multi system electric locomotives. These locomotives need to be homologated for Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Italian border stations. The Polish operator wants to start services with the new machines in 2016-2017. PKP Cargo wants to spend up to 200 mln zł on the new locomotives. PKP Cargo Vectron Tenders, bids and planned locomotive orders

PKP Cargo has at least 331 million zł available for the purchase of multi system electrics for international freight operation. Let's see who is going to deliver new machines. PKP Cargo Vectron Tenders, bids and planned locomotive orders