Germany: Alstom, CRRC, Siemens Mobility, Stadler and a number of other market players presented their locomotives at the InnoTrans exhibition in Berlin. Among them, two new vehicles made their debut. In addition, Alstom and Siemens signed contracts with European operators for the supply of locomotives.
The most powerful tri-mode EURO9000 locomotive by Stadler. Source: Ben Jones, twitter.com
EURO9000 locomotive from Stadler
One of the main premieres of the exhibition was the mainline tri-mode Stadler EURO9000 locomotive, which is equipped with a hybrid traction system with a total capacity of 9 MW and has a continuous traction force of 430 kN. This makes it the most powerful locomotive produced by European manufacturers. In addition, the single-section EURO9000 is also the longest in the manufacturer’s line: its length is 23 m.
The main feature of EURO9000 is a hybrid power system, consisting of an electric motor designed for operation on DC and AC lines, two C32 diesel engines by Caterpillar with a total power of 1.9 MW, and batteries. Diesel engines and batteries allow not only running along non-electrified sections of the track but also increasing power when operating at the rail network with a DC catenary system. The maximum speed of the locomotive is 120 km/h, and the volume of the fuel tank is 1,800 liters. Its basic configuration is certified for operation in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium.
The EURO9000 locomotive was manufactured for the ELP leasing company of Switzerland. The corresponding contract, signed in May 2019, provides for the supply of 30 locomotives with the possible option for at least 100 units. According to Stadler, 10 locomotives have already been produced. The first operator of such a locomotive will be Rail Force One, which plans to start operating heavy freight trains in the Alpine passes from mid-2023.
Stadler hopes the new vehicle will enable the company to enlarge its share at the EU locomotive market currently dominated by Siemens Mobility and Alstom, as one EURO9000 may replace two electric locomotives and thus reduce operating costs. Stadler accounted for 2% of global locomotive deliveries in 2020-2022, according to SCI Verkehr.
Vectron MS electric locomotive produced by Siemens Mobility for the Czech ČD operator. Source: Eisenbahn-Kurier
Vectron MS locomotive from Siemens
Another novelty presented at InnoTrans was a modification of the Vectron MS tri-mode passenger electric locomotive from Siemens Mobility. The locomotive acquired an improved undercarriage, including the suspension system of drive motors, due to which its maximum speed was increased from 200 to 230 km/h. The contract for the supply of 50 Vectron MS locomotives in a new modification and their maintenance for 15 years was signed in March this year with the national Czech ČD operator. The locomotives are supposed to be used for passenger transportation to neighboring countries. The first electric locomotive is expected to be delivered to the country in 2025.
Also, within the framework of the exhibition, a new deal was concluded for the delivery of 15 Vectron MS multi-system locomotives. The client is the Alpha Trains leasing company, which chose a modification with a power of 6.4 MW and a maximum speed of 200 km/h. The vehicles will be assembled at the Siemens Mobility site in Munich-Allach, Germany. Another contract was signed with a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn. It includes the delivery of 21 Vectron Dual Mode hybrid locomotives (catenary + diesel) for passenger services in Germany. The locomotive was also exhibited at InnoTrans 2022, but it has been produced by Siemens since 2018.
TRAXX DC electric locomotive by Alstom with last mile feature. Source: Bahnblogstell, twitter.com
TRAXX electric locomotive from Alstom
One of the market leaders, Alstom, showed a four-axle TRAXX DC electric locomotive with the last mile feature. Due to the installed diesel engine, this vehicle can run on short sections of track that do not have a catenary. It is worth noting that the TRAXX electric locomotive platform was mass-produced by Bombardier Transportation, which was taken over by Alstom in early 2021.
Frank Schleier, Vice President for locomotives at Alstom, told RailTech that the company is developing a new TRAXX modification equipped with batteries for the last mile feature. It is planned to be introduced within the next three years. The locomotive also has a built-in remote control for shunting that can be operated by one person.
The electric locomotive presented at Innotrans 2022 is intended for operation by CFL Cargo in Luxembourg, France and Germany. It can reach a maximum speed of 140 km/h, and a place for batteries is already provided in the vehicle.
Alstom announced a contract for the locomotive delivery at InnoTrans. Thus, an agreement was signed between the producer and the Polo Mercitalia freight operator of Italy for the delivery of 20 Traxx DC3 electric locomotives of the new generation named E.494. By that agreement, Polo Mercitalia exercised the option to the previously concluded contract for 40 locomotives. It is expected that the delivery of the vehicles will begin in early 2024 and be completed by the end of the same year.
A prototype of the Bison mainline DC electric locomotive by CRRC. Source: Amics del Ferrocarril de Sant Boi
Bison electric locomotive from CRRC
Therefore, the world’s largest rolling stock manufacturer of rail transport, CRRC, exhibited a prototype of its Bison mainline DC electric locomotive. This is the manufacturer’s first locomotive for the EU market and for that reason it was created to comply with TSI requirements.
The presented locomotive was produced for Rail Cargo Hungaria freight operator (RCH, part of OBB) at the CRRC plant in Zhuzhou. The 5.6 MW vehicle has a traction force of 300 kN and can reach a maximum operating speed of 140 km/h. The locomotive is also equipped with the last-mile supercapacitors storing 200 kWh and able to be charged from the catenary network. It is stated that Bison has an autonomous operation range of up to 10 km.
Vossloh DE18 shunting locomotive. Source: Eisenbahn-Kurier
Modification of the Modula EDD locomotive. Source: rynek-kolejowy.pl
Whereas, German Vossloh Rolling Stock (VRS, acquired by CRRC in 2020) presented a modification of the Modula shunter with AC and DC traction, as well as two diesel engines. VRS notes that Modula’s design allows a full diesel version to be upgraded to an electro-diesel or electric-battery modification in a matter of weeks. Additionally, the most powerful DE 18 locomotive in the manufacturer’s portfolio was shown. Its traction is provided by diesel engines with a power of 1,800 kW and a 150 kW battery.
Locomotives from other market players
Newag brought to the exhibition a Dragon 2 multi-system electric locomotive ordered by PKP Cargo. The six-axle locomotive has a power of 5 MW, can accelerate to 120 km/h and haul trains weighing up to 4,500 t. It is equipped with silicon carbide traction converters.
Dragon 2 multi-system electric locomotive by Newag. Source: Ben Jones, twitter.com
The only hydrogen locomotive exhibited at Innotrans 2022 was the SM42-6Dn shunter by Pesa. The vehicle is equipped with four asynchronous motors with a power of 180 kW each and two hydrogen cells with a capacity of 85 kW manufactured by Ballard. It is claimed that the locomotive can pull trains weighing about 3,200 t with a maximum speed of 90 km/h. The first prototype of the SM42-6Dn was already presented in September 2021 at the TRAKO exhibition in Poland. According to Pesa President Krzysztof Zdziarski, the locomotive has already passed the first test runs. After the exhibition, it will undergo final tests in Zmigrod, Poland and will be put into operation at the plant of the PKN Orlen oil refinery company in Płock in the first quarter of next year.
SM42-6Dn hydrogen shunting locomotive by Pesa. Source: Eisenbahn-Kurier
At the same time, the Express Service company from Bulgaria presented its ES3000 three-axle battery shunter. Its maximum speed is 5-15 km/h, and the traction force is 150 kN. Battery locomotives are currently the most demanded products of Express Service: the sales territory includes Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia, France, Great Britain, and India.
