While over the past decades, freight rail carriers were the main customers for locomotives from rolling stock leasing companies, the tide is turning as more and more existing and new passenger rail operators are leasing modern electric locomotives.
A proof of this is Silverstar Railways that has taken delivery of its first Siemens Vectron locomotive under a leasing agreement with Akiem. The locomotive was formally presented in Vienna, marking Silverstar Railways’ entry into the market.
The MS locomotive is capable not only to operate in Austria, but also abroad as the new company plans to expand to Italy and Germany. In 2026, it plans to connect Vienna with Villach, later expanding it to Venice and branch out from there to Salzburg and Munich.
