#Primo #treno #commerciale per le #E191 #DB #Cargo #Italia. https://t.co/3mrc7zlJ9b pic.twitter.com/AYskDhte69

— Ferrovie.Info (@FerrovieInfo) December 1, 2016

On their way to Italy today: UniCredit 191 016 and 017, to be operated by DB Cargo in Italy. Michael Raucheisen caught them on camera together at Brenner.

Portraits of the new 'reds' in Italy: UniCredit > DB Cargo 191 013, 014 and 015 by Marco Stellini.

Update: thank to Riccardo Mainoldi we can show a picture.

Seen on 14.09.2016: Vectron no. 191 013 and 191 014 at Brennero station. These are the first two of a batch of eight we see. In November 2015, DB Cargo announced the order for these Vectron DC locomotives, to be leased from UniCredit. (RM)

Indeed, new red painted Vectron locomotives are in the making, in Munich. Siemens has started the production of loocomotives for UniCredit. This bank / leasing company ordered eight Vectron DC machines in November 2015. They will have the same livery as the red Vectron DCs (series 5170) currently operated in Poland. This because the operator is the same company, DB Cargo.

So, DB Cargo Italia will soon get its first Vectron DC locomotive. Its number? 91 83 2191 013-8 I-NC.

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.

Siemens is supplying eight Vectron DC type locomotives for operation in Italy. The DB Schenker Rail freight operator has a leasing contract for the locomotives with Unicredit Leasing GmbH. The vehicles are to be put into service from late 2016 onwards. With a maximum power of 5,200 KW, the top speed attained is 160 km/h.

"With this order and the future deployment of these locomotives, DB Schenker Rail will be able to continue improving its competitiveness in Italy," said Rüdiger Gastell, Managing Director DB Schenker Rail Italia.

"Again, DB Schenker Rail has chosen the Vectron DC. 23 locomotives have already proven their worth in freight transport operations in Poland. Now the same type is to be used in Italy. Our locomotives are well equipped for this new mission. Basic approval for Italy has already been obtained, so that the delivery time can be shortened considerably," said Jochen Eickholt, CEO of Siemens Mobility Division.

(Siemens)

All parties in involved are no stranger to one another. DB Schenker also has Unicredit as partner for financing Transmontana locomotives for its Romania department. In Poland, DB Schenker already operater Vectron no. 5 170 035-057.