DB Cargo Polska with the Europe’s most cutting-edge locomotives – Vectron MS

Expanding fleet of DB Cargo

Vectron is the most modern universal locomotive on the European market, with a modular design that allows for easy adaptation to the requirements of operation and specifics of running in different countries and under different operating conditions. The locomotive was designed to carry out a variety of transport tasks. The main advantage of the locomotive is its efficiency in pulling trains in national and cross-border European traffic.

In 2012, DB Cargo Polska purchased 23 electric Vectron locomotives. This was one of the first orders for new Siemens locomotives. Now the company is extending its Vectron fleet with further locomotives which are to support the development of intermodal traffic.

“We are consistently expanding and modernising our fleet of electric locomotives. Thanks to multi-system Vectrons, we will not only be able to expand the scope of our intermodal services, but also to reduce our carbon footprint. 90% of DB Cargo Polska’s transports are carried out with electric rolling stock, which, together with our declaration to power half of our electric locomotives with energy from renewable sources since 2022 and all of them since 2023, will give us the opportunity to offer green transport services," says Marek Staszek, CEO of DB Cargo Polska.

Livery for the special occasion

The new Vectron MS locomotives for DB Cargo Polska have maximum power of 6.4 MW, are equipped with the ETCS system compliant with the current specifications (Baseline 3) and can reach maximum speed of 160 km/h. The locomotives have been homologated for Poland and the Czech Republic, still, the vehicles of the Vectron platform have been approved for operation in as many as 20 European countries. If necessary and required by changing circumstances, it will be possible to get additional approvals for operation for the new DB Cargo Polska’s Vectrons in other countries, such as Slovakia or Hungary, quickly, efficiently and within just a few weeks.

“The Vectrons for DB Cargo are also unique in terms of their livery for the special occasion. We're making a reference to both the European Year of the Railway and the green aspects of rail freight (“Stay green”), while a real treat for railway and painting enthusiasts are the inspirations coming from the work of world-renowned magical realism painter Jarosław Jaśnikowski. Jaśnikowski's style is also characterised by the author's passion for all kinds of fantastic vehicles and machines, and the Vectron locomotive fits perfectly into this concept,” said Krzysztof Celiński, CEO of Siemens Mobility.

Over 1100 Vectrons in Europe

In Poland, Vectron locomotives have been purchased by DB Cargo Polska, PKP CARGO, CARGOUNIT, Lotos Kolej and Laude Smart Intermodal. At present, a total of 60 Vectron locomotives are owned by the Polish carriers, and many more daily enter the PKP PLK S.A.’s network from abroad. So far, over 1100 Vectron locomotives have been sold to more than 55 customers in 16 countries across Europe, and they have travelled more than 500 million kilometres.

The locomotives were purchased by DB Cargo Polska with the support of EU funds, in cooperation with the Centre for EU Transport Projects (CUPT), under the project named “Improving intermodal transport in Poland, by connecting container terminals on the Baltic coast and distribution terminals in southern Poland with the transport axis connecting Western Europe with the CIS and China”. The aim of the project is to create conditions for launching fixed intermodal rail connections and improving the quality of services in this area