The Westfälische Landes-Eisenbahn (WLE) is now operating unit no. 187 307. The brand new machine is hired from Railpool as a replacement locomotive for WLE's own TRAXX AC3 no.82, which was recalled by Bombardier for an update. Christian Klotz made pictures of both machines this week.

Bringing beer to Munich. That was the assignment today of the new WLE 82 / 187 010 (II). This image shows the locomotive, backed-up by the 'old' WLE 82, alias MRCE lease locomotive ES 64 F4-453 near Altenbeken. Thanks Martin Lauth.

Note that the ES 64 F4-453 has lost its WLE logos. The locomotive goes back to the leasing company.

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 28.01.2016, WLE 82 had its 'Abnahmefahrt' in Last Mile mode. Update: another image form the WLE 82 in Last Mile service. (Bernd Loer / Markus tepper).

This is the new electric for the Westfälische Landes-Eisenbahn (WLE) from Lippstadt. It is a TRAXX AC3 Last Mile locomotive that was ordered late 2015. WLE's designation is no. 82, which is confusing as there is already a '82' in the fleet of the freight operator (a MRCE lease locomotive ES 64 F4-453). The image above (Markus Tepper) shows the machine on its first day after delivery, running Lippstadt without catenary. The image below by Martin Lauth shows the 82 pulled by RailAdventure 103 222 on its way to its new home base in Lippstadt.

Bombardier was able to provide WLE with a new locomotive very quickly by repainting and adjusting stock / demo locomotive 187 010 (II). We saw this engine already on European tracks in 2015 in the red livery of DB Schenker. Note that the new WLE 82 has a Flex Panel, with large WLE logos.

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).

Rail business reports: Before the end of this year, Bombardier will deliver a Traxx AC3 locomotive, with Last Mile diesel shunting module, to the Westfälischen Landes-Eisenbahn (WLE). This German freight operator issued a tender for a new 'multi system' electric late July 2015. Remarkable as the Traxx AC3 is, strictly taken, not a multi system (AC+DC) locomotive, but a multi frequency AC electric.

Nevertheless, it inspired us to make a first design impression of the future WLE 83. We choose this number as WLE already owns a 81 and hires a locomotive from MRCE, internally designated as WLE 82.

The Westfälische Landes-Eisenbahn (WLE) has published a tender for a new multi system electric locomotive. Manufacturers can place their offers untl 31.08.2015.

At this moment, WLE operates two locomotives that are present on this website: