The total framework agreement covers the leasing of up to 50 modern interoperable locomotives from Siemens Mobility.
"We are continuing to prepare intensively for the introduction of exclusive ETCS operation on our corridors. In addition to retrofitting existing rolling stock, we are also purchasing new locomotives and units that are already factory equipped for ETCS-controlled operation. Our plan also includes the purchase of new Siemens Vectron locomotives. After taking delivery of the last planned units this year, we now operate 39 of them and plan to take delivery of a further 22 in 2024. From 1 January 2025, we will thus be able to meet the needs of all corridors operated under the exclusive supervision of ETCS," says Michal Krapinec, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of ČD, commenting on the acquisition of the new Siemens Vectron locomotives.
"Right from the start of the new 2024 timetable, we have prepared 34 turnaround days for the Siemens Vectron locomotives, and this series will cover over 32,000 kilometres a day in our service. That's equivalent to three quarters of the length of the Earth's equator. The longest daily distance covered by the Vectrons is over 1,300 kilometres, and we use them from Flensburg on the German-Danish border to Budapest," says Jiří Ješeta, member of the ČD Board of Directors and deputy for passenger transport, describing the use of Siemens Vectron locomotives.
The newly acquired locomotives will be put into service before Christmas. ČD currently operates a total of 39 Siemens Vectron locomotives. Ten locomotives are leased from ELL, 28 locomotives are leased from RSL and one locomotive is owned by ČD.
Czech Railways uses Siemens Vectron locomotives in long-distance traffic on the Berlin lines from Prague to Flensburg, Kiel, Hamburg and Berlin, Canopus to Leipzig, Metropolitan to Budapest, on the West Express, Krušnohor and Slovácký express-trains from Prague via Plzeň to Cheb, from Cheb to Ústí nad Labem and from Ústí nad Labem to Prague, and from Prague to Staré Město u Uh. Hradiště. The locomotives also run at the head of trains on the Prague - Ostrava - Žilina, Bohumín - Warsaw or Budapest - Breclav - Bohumín - Warsaw routes.
Siemens Vectron locomotives have a top speed of 200 km/h and an output of 6.4 MW. They are designed for operation on lines with 3 kV DC, 25 kV 50 Hz AC and 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC traction systems. They are equipped with the ETCS train control system and GSM-R radio communication. Czech Railways operates them on domestic routes and on connections to Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. In addition to the leased locomotives, they have ordered a further 50 units of the 230 km/h version from Siemens Mobility for their own fleet.
