DB Schenker orders 23 locomotives from Siemens
Polish subsidiary DB Schenker Rail Polska orders new electric Vectron locomotives.
Siemens has received an order for 23 electric locomotives from DB Schenker Rail Polska S.A., a Polish subsidiary of the European DB Schenker Rail and the largest private rail freight company in Poland. This is the largest order Siemens has received so far for its Vectron locomotive generation. "This is already the third order for our newly developed locomotive platform. A particularly pleasing aspect is that we were also able to secure an option for a further 13 locomotives," said Jochen Eickholt, CEO of Rail Systems. The customer intends to deploy the vehicles for freight services in Poland. Shipment of the 23 vehicles will commence immediately and is due to be completed by 2015. The order value for these locomotives is in the high double-digit million range.
With the new Vectron locomotive, Siemens is offering a product for passenger and freight transport that has been designed to meet increasingly variable requirements and perform transport tasks in Europe. The version for DB Schenker Rail Polska has been designed for operation on the Polish DC network and has been fitted with the corresponding train protection equipment. During its certification in Poland, the Vectron underwent almost a year of trials with various operators on the Polish network. Siemens received certification for the vehicles in September 2012.
Siemens will manufacture the locomotives to the highest quality standards at its Munich plant using cutting-edge production technology. For example, the steel construction components will be produced using innovative laser-hybrid welding equipment to allow consistently high carbody structure quality. DB Schenker Rail Polska has decided in favor of Siemens Vectron Central Stock concept to ensure the supply of spare parts. This enables spare parts to be delivered within 24 hours, thus ensuring a high level of availability at the customer's depot. All orders can be placed online in the Siemens "RailMall" webshop.
The Vectron family consists of single and multi-system locomotives for the European AC and DC networks for fast passenger services as well as interoperable cross-border freight services. These versions allow for operation on four different line voltage systems and in various performance classes. The development focused not only on investment protection, environmental compatibility and flexibility, but also on ease of retrofitting and conversion, with the trains also able to be adapted for other national protection systems. The components in the machine room have been arranged so as to make optimum use of the space available. For example, there was room to house a shunting module to permit operation on track sections with no overhead contact line.
ATOC
Train companies respond to West Coast announcement
06/12/2012Responding to the announcement this morning by the Department for Transport on West Coast train services, Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), said:
“Passengers and the rail industry now have clarity about the next two years on the West Coast line.
“The government’s decision is a welcome recognition of the benefits of the private sector running rail services, which has been good for passengers, taxpayers and the country. Rail travel is more popular now than at any time since the 1920s with near record levels of satisfaction and punctuality.
“The right franchising system will mean train companies continue to deliver these results. Ministers and officials must now address the specific flaws that led to the cancellation of this competition and get the programme of franchising back on course.”
Train companies confirm next year's average fare increase
06/12/2012Train companies have now published all 2013 ticket prices and can today confirm the average increase for all fares in the new year will be 3.9%.
Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said:
“Fare rises are determined largely by government policy, and the Chancellor confirmed the government’s approach for next year in the Autumn Statement.
“Railway funding can only come from the taxpayer or from the passenger, and the government’s policy remains that a bigger share must come from people who use the train.
“We know nobody likes paying more for their journey, especially to go to work. Train companies will continue working with the rest of the industry to become more cost efficient, helping to take the pressure off future fare rises.”
Passengers can see what their usual ticket – or any other ticket – will cost from January 2013 by visiting the National Rail Enquiries website or any train operating company website.
For journalists looking for information on 2013 fares, including how to get the best value deals, visit www.atoc.org/2013fares.
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