Update: and we have visual:

We can imagine, it is confusing: Yesterday the third new TRAXX MS locomotives the Rhenus Group made its maiden run; and it has a 'weird' front number: 286 940. In the old German system, such a designation means it is a diesel locomotive, but it is not, it is a multisystem electric, but the first one of its type officially registered in Austria: 91 81 1286 940-2 A-LTE is its full NVR designation. We must say, '1286 940' on the front would have been more clear.

And why does it have a A-registration, and not a D-one, as most others? Well all locomotives that are property of LTE are registered in the company's home country. There are few, but if you list them, it all makes sense, take a look:

We do not have an image yet, but the locomotive is light grey and has blue logos and striping. It looks similar to Macquarie Rail 186 238 from a few years back.

Thank you for all mails and notes about this case.

Portrait of the RRL 186 268. Photo: Henk Zwoferink

This morning, Bombardier officially presented the first of three TRAXX multi-system electric locomotives for the Rhenus Group. During a small ceremony at the transport & logistic fair in Munich, the blue 186 268 was handed over to Rhenus. Until the end of May, all three will be commissioned.

The Rhenus Group already has similar locomotives in its fleet, so commercial usage of the new machines can start right away. The blue 186 268 and 269 will be registered in Germany and have D-XRAIL keeper markings (XRAIL = Crossrail, of which Rhenus holds a majority stake). The third machine will have a Austrian registration and will be used by LTE, of which Rhenus Rail holds 50% of the shares. This designated 1186 940 will feature a LTE color scheme.

Rhenus Rail states that it will use its new TRAXX locomotives predominantly for services to and from Belgium. Other important freight corridors are those from the Netherlands to Germany (Swiss border region) and central Europe. Officially, the machines are equipped for Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia. Belgium and the Netherlands.

Bombardier hands over Rhenus 186 268 to Michael Viefers, member of the board of Rhenus Group. Photo: Henk Zwoferink

A first quick shot a TRAXX MS locomotive for Rhenus Rail. This machine is the designated 186 269. Rhenus Rail has three such units on order, homologated for Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Photo: Marcus Alf

Rhenus Rail has decided to order three TRAXX MS locomotives, equipped for Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.

Rhenus Rail is part of the Rhenus Group, that owns 50% of the shares in LTE Logistik- und Transport GmbH and 50,1% of the shares in Crossrail. So Rhenus Rail can make use of a large fleet of modern electrics, and via these operators the company has licenses to operate railfreight in all the countries where the new TRAXX locomotives will be used.