Switzerland: BLS Cargo says it is purchasing 25 new Siemens Vectron multi-system locomotives. It will deploy them on the north-south freight corridor between Belgium / the Netherlands and Italy. This purchase will give BLS access to Belgium for the first time.
The 25 new Siemens Vectron multi-system locomotives will allow BLS Cargo to operate in Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy. BLS Cargo ran an intensive tendering process as well as running tests with suitable candidates. Following these, it selected Siemens Mobility’s Vectron locomotives. BLS Cargo already has 15 of these locomotives in its fleet. Siemens will deliver the 25 multi-system locomotives between the end of 2020 and 2025.
The Vectron multi-system locomotives will come with all the traction and train control systems necessary for operation in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium. Thanks to the extensive set of country-specific systems, BLS Cargo will be able to consolidate its cross-border operating concepts.
A central aspect of these cross-border operating concepts is the role played by Belgian rail freight operator Crossrail Benelux NV. BLS Cargo took over the company earlier in 2019. Crossrail Benelux NV runs freight services in Germany and Belgium for BLS Cargo. The new Siemens Vectron multi-system locomotives will enable cross-border services to operate seamlessly.
“The new locomotives will give us access to the Belgian market and enable us to tie in operating processes more closely with Crossrail.”
BLS Cargo says it needs to invest in replacing existing, older locomotives and in adding to its fleet as a result of increased demand.
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