Switzerland: JeMyn, an affiliate of Widmer Rail Services, ordered two such mainline shunters Vectron AC from Siemens Mobility.
The vehicle will be powered by overhead lines and a battery power module to cover the so-called last mile of service, eliminating the need for diesel shunters. The battery power module will be recharged when the Vectron AC travels in catenary mode.
Design of the Siemens Vectron locomotives for WRS. Source: Siemens Mobility
The development of this locomotive modification was funded under the German federal “Future of Rail Freight Transport” programme, with JeMyn’s purchase financed by Raiffeisen Schweiz Genossenschaft. The supply is scheduled for 2027.
Similar locomotives are also produced by other companies. In 2020–2021, two Bison locomotives, fitted with batteries for last-mile operation, were produced by CRRC for Hungary. Alstom has announced the future use of battery modules on its Traxx locomotives, and Stadler has offered them for SBB Cargo and Romanian Softronic.
