TX Logistik AG has received the first three Siemens Vectron locomotives from an order placed last year. The total order for forty locomotives was placed with Siemens Mobility in May 2023. It’s understood that TX Logistik has taken the bi-mode version of the loco (electric and diesel powered). The units will be used on a network of routes across central and eastern Europe.
Delivery of the new locomotives has been eagerly anticipated by TX Logistik. The new Vectrons represent the vanguard of a much bigger order for forty units, with options for more. TX Logistik says they will be deployed on their Brenner Pass and Swiss corridors. The expansion of the vehicle fleet is an important prerequisite for TX Logistik to continue its growth in intermodal and cross-border rail freight transport.
Meeting national standards
As with everything rail-related, you wait all year for a new freight locomotive to come along, and then three come along at once. Bright, white, and ready to couple up and haul away, the new Siemens Mobility Vectron locomotives will be pressed into service almost immediately by TX Logistik AG. The new locomotives have already been allocated for primary use on the heavily trafficked Brenner and Swiss corridors. The routes will place high demands on the locomotives. The 6.4MW (8,600hp) units will have to cope with more than just the maximum permissible European length of 740m trains.
Tractive power and reliability aside, the machines will have to be compatible with various national network standards. Half of the Vectron locomotives (20 units) will receive the country package for operation in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and the Netherlands. These are due for delivery from the beginning of 2025. Delivery of the remaining 20 locomotives, equipped for the German-Austrian-Italian corridor, is scheduled for the end of 2025.
Crossing the Continent
Headquartered at Troisdorf, in the Köln-Bonn axis, TX Logistik has been a force in European rail freight logistics for twenty-five years. It was founded in 1999 as a private rail transport company and has built up a European network with connections in eleven countries. The company remains under German management, but since January 2017, TX Logistik has been wholly owned by Mercitalia Logistics S.p.A., a subsidiary of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, the Italian state rail operator.
Traffic is a mix of cross-border intermodal container trains, and bulk industrial commodities, including chemicals and oil. TX Logistik has subsidiaries in Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and Sweden, as well as a local office in Italy. The company’s lean workforce of 730 employees moves 9.0 billion tonne-kilometres annually. Operations generated annual sales of €298m in 2022. Group performance has, however, been less impressive in the latest financial statement.
Flash locos, even more flash liveries
“The decision to purchase the Vectron locomotives also underlines TX Logistik’s endeavours to further promote rail freight transport as an environmentally friendly and efficient alternative to road transport,” said a statement from the operator. TX Logistik has a reputation for custom liveries. The first of the three Vectrons is emblazoned with an environmental message “Start now – Nature Driven by Green Passion”.
The investment for this initiative is € 300m. As reported on our sister service, RailFredight.com, the agreement between Siemens and TX Logistik includes an option for an additional order of a further 25 locomotives. This project is part of the overall group’s “maxi plan” to rejuvenate its fleet with 400 new locomotives and 3,600 wagons. Once this plan is completed, the average age of the Ferrovie cello Stato Italiane (FS) fleet will go down from 30 years to seven years.