We already mentioned MRCE 185 565 and 567 now being hired to DB Regio in Stuttgart. Now a third black TRAXX has joined the fleet of the regional rail operator: MRCE 185 555. The machine still has CTL Logistics logos. Picture: Bert van Caem

Recently, several locomotives got new, small HHLA/Metrans logos. We already mentioned MRCE 185 556. New is MRCE 185 547 and SBB Cargo 482 029.

New in our collection: MRCE 185 556, now sporting HHLA/Metrans logos. Thanks Niklas Eimers.

Four MRCE locomotives got new logos of CTL Logistics recently. The white logos combine nicely with the black of MRCE. The no's: 185 545 (corredted, not 544!), 555, 563, 566 and 572. (Udo Plischewski / Jens Mittwoch / Albert Hitfield)

- MRCE 185 545 now has stickers of CTL Logistics

- Siemens 189 823 arrived in the Netherlands. The purpose of this visit is still unknown

- BLS Cargo and Lokomotion are exchanging locomotives. The Re486s used by Lokomotion go back to BLS Cargo. Lokomotion gets its DE/AT/CH/IT/NL locomotives back (186.1)

- The freshly overhauled Alpha Trains E 186 116 and 120 had their acceptance run today over the Dutch high speed line between Amsterdam and Rotterdam

- Wait what, a red locomotive with number 187 100 has been seen?

The Bellinzona works (CH) have completed the main overhaul of MRCE 185 554-3 (REV 03.01.2014). On 04.01.2014 the machine was seen in Basel. Note that this locomotive is only permitted to run in Germany and France, so it could not reach Switzerland under its own power. - MB

MTEG is no longer the responsible vehivle keeper of Locomotive 189 800-6. The locomotive now carries D-PRESS keeper markings. - KAR

For the first time, the main lessor of 185 514-7 has changed. No longer TX Logistik, but Rheincargo now. - KAR Alpha Trains Traxx AC1 Lokomotion 185.2 MRCE Traxx AC1 MTEG 189 Railpool 185.2

Mitsui Rail Capital Europe B.V. in Amsterdam (MRCE) and Dispolok GmbH in Munich (Dispolok) will take an important step in integrating their locomotive leasing operations as of April 1, 2008.

MRCE successfully established in October 2004 as a subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Mitsui) for locomotive leasing operation in Europe, and Dispolok, acquired by Mitsui in October 2006, will integrate their operations to create one of the largest European locomotive operating lessors and service providers with more than 200 locomotives already delivered to customers in more than 10 countries in Europe.

The integration will comprise a transfer of all leasing operations to Munich, which will be renamed MRCE Dispolok GmbH (MRCE Dispolok), and a concentration of all corporate operations in Amsterdam, which will continue to carry the name of Mitsui Rail Capital Europe B.V. All day-to-day locomotive lease operations including sales & marketing, fleet management, logistics management and service & maintenance management for the entire fleet of MRCE and MRCE Dispolok will be centralized in Munich, while the marketing and technology strategy & development, business administration, financing and budgeting, locomotive procurement and ownership will be homed in Amsterdam. Current MRCE sales staff will be operationally assigned to MRCE Dispolok but physically remain in Amsterdam to be closer to core customers in North & Western Europe. All shares of Mitsui in Dispolok will be transferred to MRCE. A new corporate identity and logo design will be introduced including the unification of the entire fleet to a black color scheme.

This integration is to combine the industrial and financial strength of MRCE and Dispolok and to establish the basis for further expansion and diversification.􃧹r. Miki, the current CEO of MRCE and future Managing Director, Group CEO of MRCE explained: “The integration will be mainly driven by using best the existing expertise and capabilities at the actual locations and we have not been chasing a holding structure but more a vertical concentration into corporate and market functions”. Mr. Stahl, the current President and COO of MRCE and future Managing Director, Group Marketing & Strategy of MRCE outlined: “This will be to combine the strength of both while eliminating weakness. We think to have created an organization which by operations has an unparalleled depth of know-how and functions in this specific market and commit to spearhead market development to all aspects in favor of our business partners”. Dr. Breinl, the current COO of Dispolok and future Chief Officer, Group Technology, Development of MRCE added;” We are leading ETCS development having invested in a very promising and future oriented design and configuration for our fleet and have started to look into a different design of locomotives”.

For the near future, MRCE will focus on the European Rail new development by supporting and assisting privately and nationally held railways to regain transportation market shares, while endeavoring to protect the environment, as well as to improve the efficiency of the supply of goods to meet the growing demands of the society. In close cooperation with Mitsui, MRCE is planning to diversify into various new business segments related to rail freight transportation.

We value your patronage and believe that this new and more focused structure will broaden and strengthen our ability to be of service for you. We want to be on your side wherever you need us. - MRCE ex MThB/SBB Cargo series MRCE 185.2 MRCE ER 20 MRCE ES64F4 MRCE ES64U2 MRCE Re484 MRCE Traxx AC1