• 10 Vectron MS and 20 Vectron DC
• Option for 20 additional locomotives
• MRCE fleet includes 111 Vectron locomotives

Mitsui Rail Capital Europe (MRCE), a full-service locomotive leasing company, has ordered 30 Vectron locomotives from Siemens. Ten of the units will be delivered as multisystem Vectron MS for cross-border operations in Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Twenty further locomotives will be equipped as direct-current locomotives (Vectron DC) to operate in Italy. Delivery of the locomotives is scheduled to begin from January 2018. The contract with MRCE also includes an option for an additional 20 locomotives.

“With this new order, our Vectron fleet will grow to a total of 111 locomotives. Our customers throughout Europe value the reliability and flexibility of the Siemens locomotive,” says Junichi Kondo, CEO of MRCE.

“The long-standing trust of MRCE in Siemens shows that we have a locomotive in our portfolio that more than satisfies the requirements of European freight transport. With its fleet of DC, AC and MS locomotives, MRCE can now offer all electric versions of the Vectron,” says Jochen Eickholt, CEO of the Siemens Mobility Division.

The ordered multisystem locomotives have a maximum output of 6,400 kW and a top speed of 160 km/h, and the Vectron DC has an output of 5,200 kW. Both versions are equipped with national train control systems and the MS locomotives also have the European Train Control System (ETCS).

New MRCE Vectrons: X4E-667, 673 and 672 between Hagen and Cologne on its way to Mönchengladbach. This raises the number of MRCE Vectron MS locos with DE/AT/IT package to 34 (640-673). Achim Scheil / Lothar Weber

The many Vectron stock locomotive transports offer us an overview of locomotives that are to be delivered in the near future. An unusual 'peek into the kitchen'. Recently, we have seen for example:

- the 475 408 for BLS Cargo
- X4E - 661, 662, 663, 666, 669 and 670 for MRCE
- 193 558 and 559 for Alpha Trains
- various stock locos not assigned to a customer yet: 22202, 22208, 22209, 22235, 22239 and 22250-22253 and 22255

As soon on 14.07.2017: Siemens 247 908 pulling newly built Vectron locomotives to the north of Germanay. This team we see BLS Cargo 475 408 (without stickers), MRCE X4 E - 669 and - 666. Photo: Andreas Kepp

1..2..3 images of the Siemens Vectron loco train that was crossing Germany yesterday; Three new MRCE locomotives, (X4E-661/662/670) two for Alpha Trains (193 558/559) and a Poland-Vectron (5170 021). It teaches us that MRCE has over thirty Vectron MS locomotives on order, more as what is publicly known, as X4 E-670 is number 31 of its batch. Photo: Sven Jonas / Maik Broicher / Martin Morkowsky

A 'Lastprobefahrt' last week with Siemens 247 905 gave us the opportunity to have a little peak into the future of the Siemens Vectron production. Siemens decided to use a batch of new Vectron electric units to serve as 'ballast weight' during the test runs. All machines are new and did not yet leave the factory gates.

Update: 247 905 has been handed over to InfraLeuna as a temporary replacement of 247 907, because Siemens will perform some finishing touches on the latter.

Alpha Trains Vectron MRCE Vectron PKP Cargo Vectron

Update 16.04.2017: After a trip through Switzerland, MRCE X4E-641 to 645 arrived in Chiasso. Brenno Arcara was able to take pictures of the transport in Mezzovico (CH). Daniele Monza makde in picturess in Chiasso.

Again, Siemens has sent out a group of Vectron locos in the direction of Kassel. This time we see MRCE X4E-650, -649, -653 and -652 an three white ones on the line Würzburg - Fulda. Photo: Ruediger Scharf

These are MRCE's X4E-641 and -642, that very recently got large white logos of Mercitalia Rail, the new brand name of Italy's national state freight operator. It are DE/AT/IT Vectron locomotive no.2 and 3 for MRCE that seem to be ready for service. X4E-640 is already hired to TX Logistik, which is actually part of Mercitalia Rail too. Photo: Christian Tscharre

See the full article here.

On 01.04.2017 we got the announcement a huge 'Lok-Zug' (loco-train) was out and about. Various people were on site and made beautiful images of this 13-Vectron consist. Almost all locomotives in this transport are new to us and have not left the Siemens factory perimeters before.

Photo: Markus Kraus

02.04.2017 at Benhausen (DE). Photo: Marcus Alf

The Alpha Trains batch if Vectron locomotives features various themed designs, a list:

• 193 550: 'Zwei Pole mit Enormer Zugkraft'
• 193 551: 'Zwei Pole mit Enormer Zugkraft'
• 193 552: 'Responsibility Driven'
• 193 553: 'Responsibility Driven'
• 193 554: 'TXLeitwolf'
• 193 555: 'Offroad'

02.04.2017 at Benhausen (DE). Photo: Marcus Alf

01.04.2017 at Buke (DE). Photo: Hendrik Mergard

But there is more. The consist also has the new MRCE Vectron MS locomotives X4E-646, -647, -648, and -651 on board. The whites are: 5170 021, an oldie used in Polen and four brand new ones with four pantographs, not identifiable yet, although they have these Siemens works numbers: 22039 (=Vectron 200), 22253, 22235 and 22209.

Update: close-ups of the new Alpha Train liveries by Christian Klotz:

From Brennero to Cologne. On 11.03.2017, Achim Scheil and Sven Bärwinkel saw the new Siemens Vectron MS locomotives (MRCE X4E-643/-644/-645 and Alpha Trains 193 550/551 that were in Brennero earlier this week) in Cologne. But now three white units have been added to the convoy. Two we already know, Vectron DC no. 5170 020 and 034, but the third one is brand new. It does not have any numbers yet, except for its works number, being no. 22208. A close-up:

Today Siemens has released the first Vectron locomotives for lease company Alpha Trains from its work in Munich. The designated 193 550 pulled the identical 193 551 and the black X4E-645, 634 and 644 for MRCE to Brennero. Although for different customers, all five Siemens multi system electrics have the same country specific package: Germany + Austria + Italy.

We thank Ronny Bruns for the pictures in this article.

Currently the full certification of the Vectron MS for Italy is showing progress. ANSF, in charge of the homologation of railway vehicles in Italy, recently gave green light for MRCE's X4E-640, so we expect more to follow soon.

The 193 550 and 551 have the current Alpha Trains livery in lime green and silver. Both machines will soon be operated by railfreight company TX Logistik. To express the cooperation between lease company and its customer, both machines got additional stickers with the slogan 'Zwei Pole mit Enormer Zugkraft' (= Two poles with huge tractive power).

Alpha Trains 193 550, 551 and MRCE X4E/193 645, 643 and 644 on their way from Munich to Brennero. 06.03.2017. Photo: Ronny Bruns

The locomotives have arrived at Brennero station. Photo: Michael Goll

Seen today by Tobias Schmidt at Basel Badischer Bahnhof: all new MRCE Vectron locomotive X4E-641 and -642.

Tobias Unsin was able to catch the recently delivered X4E-640. The image shows the colorful locomotive on 15.02.2017 pulling the DGS 43155 Köln Eifeltor - Verona (with ES64F4-030) in Vogl (DE).

Note that the livery of the 640 changed a little. The slogan 'Connected by rail' was removed from both fronts. The MRCE logo (left) and the painted number (right) got a new place.

Update: a new image:

Seen today by Oliver Scholz in Munich: MRCE X4E-861, with boxXpress stickers. The locomotive was under repair during the last months, after its derailment in Beimerstetten [DE]. The locomotive ran over a scotch block and ended up in the railway ballast almost tipping over.

Good news for Siemens, and its customers. The Italian railway authorities have granted approval for the multisystem version of the Vectron platform built for MRCE. This lease company has 21 Vectron MS locomotives on order, equipped for services in Germany, Austria and Italy (DE/AT/IT). The first batch of eleven, the designated X4E 640-650, is nearing completion.

Freight operator TX Logistik took delivery of the first MRCE Vectron MS today in Munich. It is the X4E-640 in its colorful 'Connecting Europe' livery. You may have seen this machine at InnoTrans 2016.

The approval of the Vectron multisystem locomotive for Italy is an important milestone. Next to MRCE, Lokomotion, Alpha Trains, ELL, BLS Cargo, Reichmut/SBB Cargo International and the Austrian Railways have machines (on order) that are to be operated in Italy. The DC version (3 kV DC voltage system only) of the Vectron is already authorized for Italy since july 2015.

Sources: MRCE / TX Logistik

Today, two multi-system Vectron locomotives for lease company MRCE completed their maiden run. The X4E-645 and 646 are part of a batch of 11 that will be homologated in Germany, Austria and Italy. Photo: MRCE/Martin Dirsch

Tobias Schmidt caught this colorful duo on 27.11.2016 in Basel Bad (CH). The colorful MRCE X4E-640 is now on its way to Italy together with ELL > SBB Cargo International 193 257.

Martin Voigt just sent in these two impressive images of a transport train with three Vectron locomotives and RailAdventures 103 222.

Leading locomotive is the multi colored MRCE X4-640 now with TX Logistik logos. For the first time we have a good picture of the complete machine, as this was not possible at the InnoTrans. Behind the 640 we see RailAdventure's 103 222 and Siemens 193 844. All the way in the back we see Siemens 193 971 on loco buggies. The locomotive recently came back from Finland, where it served as pioneer for the VR Group Sr3 series locomotives. Sr3 no. 3305 from the InnoTrans was sent to Finland instead.

Siemens will present the Vectron locomotive platform at this years InnoTrans using three locomotives: The new stock locomotive no. 193 844 (pulling the train in the picture), MRCE X4E-640 and a VR Vectron (the one on loco buggies in the back). Siemens

We post all we see on our InnoTrans Liveblog.

New images are coming in:

At InnoTrans 2014, lease company MRCE had Vectron AC no. X4 E-875 on display. The machine with the slogan 'Connecting Europe' and many pictures on its side. Next week, MRCE will bring its first Vecttron mulit-system locomotive, the designated X4 E-640. In total Siemens will built 21 MS units for MRCE. The 640 will again be a colorful addition to the many vehicles on display in Berlin next week.

Lease company MRCE has 21 multi system Vectron locomotives on order. In October 2015, eleven such machines, equipped for services in Germany, Austria and Italy, were purchased. In June 2016 another ten units were acquired. The picture shows Siemens 22164 - MRCE X4 - 640 during its maiden run today, the first of the batch of 11.

The Vectron MS is not yet homologated for Italy, so it is interesting to see when this will happen. Now a first customer is awaiting the approval for this country the be able to offer the full potential of this configuration to its customers. We thank Michael Raucheisen for the picture.

Thank you Markus Tepper

In 2015, new locomotives were needed, and they were needed fast. DB Schenker, now DB Cargo, made a deal with leasing company MRCE for new Vectron locomotives, to be available at a very very short term. So Siemens took several machines from its stock production line and delivered them to MRCE. It had to go so fast, there was no time to repaint all machines of the latest MRCE batch in black (Siemens builts it stock locomotives in a standard white livery). So it happened that X4E-607 to 613 entered DB service in white, white with MRCE logos.

But this livery now belongs to the past. All seven 'albino' MRCE locomotives have been painted black during the past months, including the 610, that is shown in the picture above. This machine is the 22.000th Siemens machine built, and got special stickers by delivery to commemorate this. These are gone now.

Lease company MRCE has decided to order another ten Vectron locomotives from Siemens. The new machines will be multi system locomotives with the country specific packages for Germany, Austria and Italy. ETCS will be installed too. Their top speed will be 160 kph and power rating will be the well-known 6.4 MW. Multiple traction with 189/ES64F4 series locomotives of MRCE will be possible.

With the new order included, MRCE will soon have 66 units in its fleet:

Just nice: a Vectron tandem for DB Cargo (193 607 and 608). Slowly the white MRCE Vectrons are being repainted. 193 612 and 613 recently turned black and now run under designation X4E-612 and 613. This means five as still white, no's 607-611.

193 606 mit neuen WLC-Logos in Bremerhaven. #baureihe193 #vectron #x4e #mrce #siemens #siemensbahn #lok #lokomotive #elektrolok #wlc #wienerlokalbahn #wienerlokalbahnencargo #bahn #bahnbilder #eisenbahn #eisenbahnbilder

A photo posted by @komponententest on Apr 26, 2016 at 11:37am PDT

We already featured the MRCE>DB Schenker white double traction services. As DB Schenker also hires many black MRCE Vectron's, black double's are of course also possible. A picture of 193 602+603 made by Norman Gottberg.

DB Schenker is now also using its MRCE Vectron locomotives in pairs. Two nice impressions of last week. (Jan Ehrhorn / Norman Gottberg / Markus Rüther)

The newest Vectron locomotives, that are to be delivered soon, or have been delivered recently:

Two things are remarkable, unlike X4 E 607-611 for MRCE, the newest machines are again black in stead of white (of 612 we are not sure yet). And X4 E-615 [edit: 614 DE/AT only] has additional approval for Hungary, whereas the 607-611 are DE/AT only locomotives. (Michael Raucheisen / Niklas Eimers / Norbert Galle)

Credits go to Jan-Felix Tillmann / Gerd Zerulla / Pascal Schiffner.

Quite a trip today for MRCE X4 E-606, haulig the AKE Rheingold special train. The black electric ended up at the island of Sylt. We don't think a Vectron locomotive has been there before, right? (Patrick Bock / Nahne Johannsen)

DB Schenker has started operating the new white painted Vectron locomotives, on lease from MRCE. This image shows unit no. X4 E-607 on 18.10.2015 at Lehrte-Ahlten. (Jan-Felix Tillmann)

Last weekend, Siemens production no. 22000 was on display at Munich main station. Helmuth von Lier took this picture, now telling us that the machine will be delivered the MRCE as X4 E - 610 soon.

DB Schenker needs more electric locomotives, so they hire everything they can get from MRCE. But when you still need more, it is time to get yourself some new ones. MRCE received today three new Vectron locomotives from Siemens, still in their white production livery, but with MRCE logos. All three soon to be seen pulling DB Schenker freight trains in Germany (and maybe Austria). (Erik Großmann)

Rail Business reports: MRCE has ordered 21 new Vectron locomotives. Ten units will get the DE/AT package, and will all be delivered in 2015. Eleven other machines will also be capable of running to Italy. These will be the first Vectron MS locomotives for MRCE.

With this trhird order, MRCE will have 56 Vectron locomotives in its fleet soon. The first machines are to be delivered on very short notice and will not have the standard black livery. They will be white. The first three units are numbered X4E-607 to -609 and DB Schenker will hire them.

..but we do not know how many (yet). It also has the wrong color... Seen today, the new MRCE X4 E - 609 (Helmut von Lier)

MRCE has currently 35 Vectron locomotives, all known orders have been completed. Yesterday Siemens officially inaugurated a new service center in Munich. The prominent role of MRCE's Chief Technology Officer, Rainer Beller, already gave it away...

For one month, TX Logistik is operating two Vectron locomotives: MRCE X4 E-603 and -604. This results in nice images and impressive locomotive power:

Today, Siemens handed over the last of 35 Vectron AC locomotives to lease company MRCE: X4 E - 606. Delivery completed.

Now with an image of locomotive MRCE X4 E - 606. If we have counted right, this is locomotive no.35 for MRCE (X4E-600-606, 850-867, 870-879), which means all known orders (to us) are completed now.

On 15.06.2015, MRCE's X4E-605 has its maiden run (see image, check the nice rain shower produced by the pantograph!). On 16.06.2015 the X4E-606 was seen too, with REV date 03.06.2015.

First time we see X4 E - 863 with BoxXpress stickers.

Freight operator BoxXpress.de currently has the honor to operate the striking X4 E-876 with its 'Tag der Maueröffnung'-livery. Two shots of the machine on freight duty.

(Michael Goll / Fabian Gross) MRCE Vectron

The image beneath shows the new ELL 193 228, an AC locomotive ready for a test run. More new machines have been seen this morning: 193 222, a multi system Vectron for ELL. MRCE X4 E-602, -605 and -866 are also around.

(Michael Raucheisen)

MRCE X4 E - 876 now has the same promotional livery as MRCE>TX Logistik ES 64 U2-060: -Tag der Maueröffnung-. The machine will be present at transport & logistic 2015 in Munich. It will be colorful there.

Today, the 876 went to Munich to pick up a brand new diesel Vectron: 247 903. (Thomas Stenzel)

A new Lea. Last year, MRCE X4 E - 854 was in service of Transpetrol. It than got the name 'Lea'. But, 854 is now in service of DB Fahrwegdienste, so a new Lea had to be found. X4 E - 877 is Lea no.2.

BoxXpress.de and the Vectron, they really found each other. MRCE X4E-878 was recently added to the fleet. X4E-861 now has the BoxXpress.de stickers.

(Jan-Felix Tillmann) MRCE Vectron

Two new locomotives for MRCE are ready to go. Both with REV date 17.04.2015:

Siemens 21950 - MRCE X4 E - 865
Siemens 21951 - MRCE X4 E - 601

They both are configured for services in Germany and Austria. Both have the standard black MRCE livery. The two machines are no.27 and 28 out of 35 units on order.

First let us start with a newbee, already in service. As of 13.02.2015, Transpetrol is hiring the brand new MRCE X4 E - 877. The title image shows the black machine heading the -Nievenheimer- freight train in Meerbusch last Sunday. - WS

Next ones to leave the Siemens factory in Munich are MRCE X4 E - 864 and MRCE X4 E - 878. They had their maiden run yesterday, 17.02.2015. We noticed something peculiar about the 878 though. Its UIC raster has more country codes than expected, D, A, H, RO, but also CZ and SK. - MR

X4E - 864:

X4E - 878:

Loosing overview over all the different machines? We have the list. MRCE Vectron

1st batch:
11 locomotives running in Germany and Austria: X4 E - 850-860
4x locomotives running Germany, Austria and Hungary: X4 E - 870-873

2nd batch:
20 more locomotives will come, three sub series are known now. These machines are optionally capable of running in passenger service too:
X4 E - 600 and up, Germany and Austria
X4 E - 861 and up, Germany and Austria
X4 E - 874 and up, Germany, Austria and Hungary

We can not find any particular difference between the X4 E - 600 and 862, apart from their numbers. But the numbers that are still available in the 86x number batch is restricted, so starting a new one is neccessary. MRCE Vectron

MRCE Vectron NS TRAXX MS2e

Currently the new machine is hired to Transpetrol. - AK/KAR MRCE Vectron

Siemens took the electric Siemens Vectron AC locomotive no. 193 970 to Berlin. This is a stock locomotive (no.21924) built in 2014 and off-factory equipped for services in Germany, Austria and Hungary. Its top speed is 200 kph and it has a 6.4 MW power output, the most commonly sold configuration for such a machine right now. After 2010 and 2012, it is the third time brings the Vectron AC to InnoTrans, without major changes. The novelties of the 970 are therefore limited to its signalling equipment. After the fair, the white machine will serve as a test bed locomotive in Norway, Sweden and Denmark countries. At the fair the machine was already equipped with the necessary ATC and with ETCS equipment.

Siemens Vectron locomotives are already being used in Norway (CargoNet) and Sweden (Bla Taget for example), but the missing link here is Denmark. Once homologation for this country is completed, Siemens will be able to offer its customers a 'bridge'-locomotive, a machine that connects Germany and beyond with northern Scandinavia. Until now only Bombardier has such a product in its portfolio (Traxx AC2 DE/AT/DK/SE/NO). When maintaining the HU-approval for the Vectron, its package could be just a little more complete compared to its Traxx opponent, although it is up to the market if this will become reality.

For Innotrans 2014, the 193 970 got promotional marks about Easy Spares. Siemens' program for spare part services.

The second Siemens Vectron locomotive at the fair, has a subscription to the event, we guess. It is presented for the third time already (2010, 2012, 2014). It is the one and only diesel-version ('Vectron DE') produced on the basis of the platform until now. In the past four years, the '247 901' designated locomotive has been used for many trials in Germany and Austria, testing many different components. However, this has not resulted in a firm order for the Vectron DE. The market potential of such a machine in Western Europe is limited anyway.

The exterior of the machine slightly changed over the years. Promotional stickers were replaced in between the three fairs. This time the 247 901 features a 'Cheetron' or a 'Vectah', symbolizing the efficiency of the 160 kph diesel-electric. Also, the locomotive has not got a destination display up front anymore.

During the fair, Siemens announced that it officially received the full authorization of the Vectron DE for Germany. It is the first approval for the DE. With the AC- and MS-variants, now all Vectron-base versions have approval for Germany.

Vectron no.3 at Innotrans 2014 was one of Siemens' customers, lease company MRCE, that featured the specially restyled X4 E-875. MRCE has currently received 17 Vectron AC-locomotives. Their number will grow to 35 units at the end of 2015. The X4 E series (as MRCE calls its Vectron-machines) must be seen as the successor of the MRCE ES 64 U2 series, being built by Siemens in 2000-2005. One by one MRCE is selling these machines to railway operators.

The X4 E-875 is homolgated for Germany, Austria and Hungary and has a top speed of 200 kph. Next to freight operators, it is therefore available to MRCE customers that are planning faster passenger services.

Just before the fair, X4 E-875 got a new livery in Munich. This new livery features many important destination cities from all over Europe. Its symbolizes the interoperability MRCE offers to its customers with its locomotive fleet in general. The particular locomotive shown at Innotrans has a much more limited service domain. Additionally, the X4 E-875 has additional logos of its current operator, being Transpetrol from Germany. It is currently one of the heavy users of MRCE Vectron-machines.

More information about these locomotives:
MRCE Vectron Siemens Vectron locos used for test and promotion

More information about these trains:

MRCE Vectron

MRCE Vectron

Masayoshi Hosoya, CEO of MRCE, said: “We are happy to have again concluded an agreement with Siemens for Vectron locomotives. As the locomotves delivered up to now fulfill our expectations, we again decided to purchase Vectron. The fleet of quality Vectron locomotives combines our strength in full service leasing and the long term capital contribution from Mitsui a global industrial solution provider.”

The vehicles ordered are intended for cross-border operation between Germany and Austria or between Germany, Austria and Hungary. In addition to the national train protection systems, all locomotives will be equipped with the European train control system (ETCS). The vehicles will have maximum power of 6,400 kW and a top speed of 200 km/h. In addition features required for operating passenger trains will be implemented.

MRCE has a fleet of around 300 locomotives in Europe and provides full-service leasing of locomotives. MRCE is a European subsidiary of the Japanese Mitsui & Co., Ltd., and celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Railcolor: The batch of fifteen Vectron locomotives, now all delivered to MRCE (X4E-850-860/870-873), have a top speed of only 160 kph. With these supplemental batch MRCE is able to offer a more modern alternative to its ES 64 U2 machines. MRCE Vectron are now available for high speed passenger services.

More information about these trains:

MRCE Vectron

MRCE confirms having ordered an additional 10 Vectron locomotives. The company has an option for 20 locomotives in total. MRCE Vectron

MRCE X4 E - 860 ran for Transpetrol during the past days, replacing the X4E - 854 that was out for repairs. Yesterday the 860 was returned to MRCE. MRCE Vectron

The next batch of MRCE Vectrons is ready for delivery. X4 E - 855 to 860 are completed. The 860 is the newest one and has acceptance date MMAL 17.03.2014. - MR MRCE Vectron

New is that the black locomotive now sports Retrack and Transpetrol logos. These are similar to the ones on Railpool 193 801, also running for Transpetrol/Bräunert. Additionally, X4E 872 got a name: Zoey. It is written on both sides of each cabine. - KAR/AS/WS MRCE Vectron

The second image shows our first image of the new X4E 855, passing through in Donauwörth. It is locomotive no.6 from the DE/AT batch of MRCE. - HP

MRCE X4E 872 is hired to car train freight operator PCT from Germany. A picture of this locomotive in Kreiensen [DE]. MRCE Vectron

The Vectron series of locomotives has completed its certification procedure for conventional rail transport in accordance with the Technical Specification for Interoperability TSI CR LOC&PAS. The EC certificate was presented yesterday by Ulrich Wiescholek, Head of the German notified body Eisenbahn-Cert (EBC), to Karl-Hermann Klausecker, CEO of Siemens Locomotives and Components.

“Vectron is the first electrical locomotive platform to be certified according to this specification in Europe. The certificate enormously simplifies for us the process of national approvals with regard to the expenditure and the time required. This means we have taken another important step toward approval of the Vectron throughout Europe”, said Karl-Hermann Klausecker on receiving the certificate.

The Vectron locomotives thus meet all standardized, pan-European technical specifications for the approval of locomotives. These specifications not only include the TSI CR LOC&PAS, but also the TSI HS RST for rolling stock of the trans-European high-speed rail system, Class 2 (vehicles with a maximum speed of between 190 km/h and 250 km/h), the TSI SRT (safety in rail tunnels), the TSI PRM (access for persons with restricted mobility), the noise requirements according to the TSI HS RST and the TSI NOI (rolling stock - noise) of conventional rail transport, and the TSI CCS (control, command and signaling) when using an ERTM system.

This has established the basis for obtaining the individual national approvals in Europe more easily and with considerably reduced test expenditure. At present, the approval authorities of all EU member states are aligning their national approval requirements with the TSI regulations. This means that only those national requirements that are not covered by the TSI still have to be met. These are being notified to the European Railway Agency (ERA) as National Technical Rules (NTR).

A number of customer-specific versions of the Vectron series of locomotives have already been able to obtain series approval from the German Federal Railway Authority (EBA). Thanks to the extended certification now available, all further Vectron variants pending approval at EBA can obtain continuous series approval until December 2020, after which applications can be submitted for extensions. In the case of locomotives without TSI CR LOC&PAS certification, the series approval ends in mid-2017. BoxXpress.de Vectron CargoServ Vectron DB Cargo Vectron (Poland) FuoriMuro Vectron MRCE Vectron Paribus (Northrail) Vectron Railpool Vectron Siemens Vectron locos used for test and promotion VR Group: Vectron locomotives for Finland

Today another four machines have left the Siemens factory in München-Allach: X4E 850, 851, 852 and 853, hauled by the also new 193 881 for boxXPress.de. - TW/MR

The list of all new locomotives:
Siemens 21838 - boxXpress.de 193 881
Siemens 21824 - MRCE X4E 850
Siemens 21827 - MRCE X4E 851
Siemens 21842 - MRCE X4E 852
Siemens 21843 - MRCE X4E 853
Siemens 21833 - MRCE X4E 870
Siemens 21834 - MRCE X4E 871

[update] The new Vectrons that will be hired to boxXpress will gradually replace MRCE 189 series locomotive in the boxX fleet. X4E 870 and 871 will only be hired a short while, hence the absence of logos. ES 64 F4-209 is the first one (16.01) that has returned to MRCE.

MRCE Vectron

MRCE purchased AC Vectrons that are capable of running 160 km/h, with a maximum power of 6.400 kW. All the company’s locomotives of this model are equipped with the national safety systems PZB/LZB and ETCS. - MRCE

Update: Tomorrow five locomotives will leave Munich. X4E 850-853 (D/A) and 870 (D/A/H) will go to Hamburg, together with the also new boxXpress.de 193 881. MRCE Vectron

On 05.12.2013: X4E-850, -851 and -870
On 09.12.2013: X4E-852, -871 and -872

So there are two numerological subseries, all units are homologated for Germany and Austria. They all have a new MRCE designation: X4E. This designation is most likely to be final. MRCE Vectron

At the beginning of June the locomotive leasing company Mitsui Rail Capital Europe (MRCE) placed an order with Siemens for the delivery of 15 Vectron AC locomotives. The first locomotives from the Siemens locomotive plant in Munich-Allach, Germany, will be handed over to the customer before the end of the year. This order makes MRCE the second leasing company to choose the new Vectron generation.

Summarizing the reasons for his firm's decision, Tetsu Ikeda, CEO of Mitsui Rail Capital Europe, said, “We are happy to have concluded a new agreement with Siemens for the Vectron locomotives after our thorough evaluation on quality, reliability, price and service record. The flexibility of the Vectron will provide us with a solid basis for a secure future. Although precise forecast throughout the whole of the locomotive life is very difficult to prepare, flexible vehicle concept with AC and MS locomotives is very effective. At this moment, the Vectron is the best solution to the company for this purpose.”

“We are delighted with this shown confidence, and are certain that with the Vectron we will be able to satisfy all the high expectations for a sustainable solution for the future,” said Karl-Hermann Klausecker, CEO Locomotives and Components of Siemens Rail Systems.

The vehicles ordered are intended for cross-border operation between Germany and Austria or between Germany, Austria and Hungary. In addition to the national train protection systems, all locomotives will be equipped with the European train control system (ETCS). The vehicles will have maximum power of 6,400 kW and a top speed of 160 km/h. Some of the locomotives will be equipped with an MS upgrade preparation package that will allow very easy conversion into a multi-system locomotive at a later date. The cabling for additional train protection systems is likewise already on board.

MRCE provides full-service leasing of locomotives in Europe, where it has a fleet of around 300 locomotives. The product offered by MRCE is special as it combines leasing with maintenance management of locomotives. MRCE is a European subsidiary of the Japanese Mitsui & Co., Ltd., and has its offices in Amsterdam and Munich.

Railcolor: The t&l fair in Munich starts today, the locomotive in the title picture will be present at the outside exhibition area all week. MRCE Vectron

MRCE Vectron