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On 15.03.2024, DB Cargo officially celebrated the handover and authorization of their new class 249 locomotives a.k.a. the Vectron Dual Mode Light. 249 001, the first prototype locomotive, got a special retro livery to commemorate the older classes it was supposed to replace. DB is set to receive up to 150 Vectron Dual Mode Light locomotives over the next few years.
249 001 was presented in the DB Cargo works Halle (DE), under the eye of many press delegates and DB Cargo director Dr. Sigrid Nikutta. During this presentation, the final paperwork for the authorization of this new locomotive class was officially handed over. Commercial service is expected to commence soon, starting operations from DB’s hub in Halle (Saale).
Driving electrically on sections with overhead lines will drastically reduce CO2 emissions in daily operations. The diesel locomotives it replaces will often drive on long stretches where overhead lines are available. When operating with green electricity and HVO fuel, DB Cargo claims it can almost operate these locomotives with a CO2-free supply chain.
Our Railcolor design team created the special retro design, which evokes the paint schemes used by the former Bundesbahn and Reichsbahn. Furthermore, the DR class 232 and DB class 290 elements have been implemented to commemorate the end of their service life with DB.
Railcolor would like to thank Erik Unbehaun and Hayo Schelten from DB Cargo, as well as the team from Trispel, for making this special livery a reality.
Not a pure shunter
Contrary to popular belief, these locomotives will not be used for intensive shunting duties but rather on short—to medium-haul routes from marshalling yards directly to customers. Thus, these machines will mostly be used on shorter mainline operations rather than (intensive) shunting, the latter of which will be handled by new VRS Modula and Toshiba locomotives.
A quick recap
DB Cargo ordered the locomotives back in 2020 as part of a EUR 1 billion deal with Siemens. On the 2022 edition of InnoTrans, the public first saw one of the prototype locomotives. All six prototype units were recently completed, and series production will commence soon.
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