As of today, with the introduction of the new time table, DB Regio is operating Vectron lease locomotives at the Franken-Thüringen-Express network. Every two hours, the ‘Regional Express’ train between Sonneberg and Nürnberg now runs over the ‘Neubaustrecke’ VDE8, cutting travel times between the two places with around thirty minutes.
As the Deutsche Bahn does not own locomotives nor driving trailer that can operate on the VDE 8 (ETCS!), the operator had to lease locomotives and drive the double stock trains in sandwich formation. One train has two locomotives at each end and four double stock cars in DB Regio livery. Each train has a locomotive at each end and four double stock cars in DB Regio livery.
DB Regio is currently hiring Railpool 193 801, 802, 804, 805 and 806 for these trains. These 200 km/u locomotives look a bit different from other Vectron locomotives as they have a destination display on their fronts. Something that is very useful for their new purpose.
Marc Anders made pictures of the first services today.
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