Fenniarail, a private railway company in Finland, has welcomed its first electric locomotive, the Vectron, manufactured by Siemens Mobility. The locomotive, specifically designed for Finnish conditions, arrived at the Port of Hanko on September 17th, 2023. It is the first electric locomotive acquired by a private railway company in Finland.
The Vectron electric locomotive is a modern four-axle locomotive renowned for its efficiency and suitability for freight transport. It boasts the capability to pull over 2,000-ton trains with a higher average speed than diesel locomotives. Notably, the Vectron features a "last mile" system, equipped with a diesel unit for operating on non-electrified tracks, facilitating the transfer of wagons to loading tracks and providing an efficient solution for logistics without the need for a separate shunting locomotive. Moreover, the locomotive incorporates a radio remote-control system, enabling shunting operations without overhead lines.
”With the electric locomotive investment, Fenniarail increases its capacity and meets the demands of society and industry regarding the green transition of transport. This acquisition is a historic landmark in the diversification of the Finnish railway market,” commented Lauri Helke, Managing Director of Fenniarail.
The Vectron locomotive will undergo final preparations in the Kouvola area, including adjustment and training runs scheduled for September and October. Commercial operations with the Vectron are expected to commence in November 2023.
