Kraków 2024-12-07

Siemens Vectron.

Photo description: Double pantographs are visible on the roof.

Photo description. Siemens Vectron X4E-794 Electric Locomotive with InterCity 3600 WYSPIAŃSKI train Przemyśl Główny – Wrocław Główny.

Siemens Vectron is a family of locomotives derived from the Siemens EuroSprinter electric locomotive family. Siemens Vectron are locomotives designed to pull freight and passenger trains, with a maximum speed of 160 km/h or 200 km/h, depending on the version. The main idea behind the creation of these locomotives was a multi-system design, i.e. the ability to pull trains with different electric currents in networks. That is, international trains. The idea was also a modular design. The models include: a multi-system locomotive (service weight 87 tons, power 6.4 MW), a high-power AC locomotive (service weight 85 tons, power 6.4 MW), a medium-power AC locomotive (service weight 82 tons, power 5.6 MW), a 3,000 V DC locomotive (service weight 80 tons, power 5.2 MW), a diesel locomotive (service weight 88 tons).

Basic dimensions of the Siemens Vectron locomotive: length 18.98 m, width 3.01 m, height 4.25 m, wheel diameter 1.25 m. Bo’Bo’ axle arrangement.

The locomotive was first presented on June 29, 2010 in Wegberg-Wildenrath. In the same year, a diesel version of the locomotive was presented. Externally, the Siemens Vectron locomotive is similar to the Siemens EuroSprinter Traxx. The interior is arranged differently. A corridor runs through the middle, and the components are on the sides. The drive is transmitted via a gear transmission. The customer can choose one of several equipment variants depending on their own needs: power supply system, maximum speed, power. An additional 180 kW diesel engine can be installed in the electric locomotives, which is designed for shunting on non-electrified sidings.

Lokomotywy spalinowe przystosowane są do prędkości maksymalnej 160 km/h, a ich długość całkowita jest większa od wersji elektrycznych. Spalinowóz posiada dwa korytarze boczne oraz szesnastocylindrowy silnik V-MTU.

Siemens Mobility built its 1,000th Vectron locomotive in 2021. Siemens Vectron locomotives are used in 20 countries, including Poland. Siemens Mobility provides full service for locomotives for up to 20 years.

Siemens Vectron in Poland.

In March 2012, the Siemens Vectron electric locomotive received a temporary permit for Polish railway lines, and in September 2012 a permanent permit. Since August 2015, the multi-system electric locomotive has been approved in Poland.

In March 2012, PKP Intercity rented one Siemens Vectron electric locomotive for testing purposes and to operate Ex 3510 “Małopolska” trains on the Kraków Płaszów – Gdynia Główna route. The locomotive was in operation until July 1, 2012, when it was transferred to ITL Polska. In July and August 2012, PKP Intercity tested another Siemens Vectron locomotive, with slightly different equipment. PKP Intercity did not purchase the Siemens Vectron locomotives, however, in the summer season of 2015, PKP Intercity leased three Siemens Vectron locomotives. In the following years, PKP Intercity leased several other Siemens Vectron locomotives on a short-term basis.

On September 23, 2015, PKP Cargo signed a contract with Siemens for the delivery of 20 multi-system Vectron locomotives for use in transit traffic in Poland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic. The locomotives were designated EU46-501÷520. In 2020, Lotos Kolej operated one Siemens Vectron locomotive. The locomotive was designated 193.

Siemens Vectron X4E-794.

The Siemens Vectron X4E-794 locomotive EVN No.: 91 80 6 193 794-5 (D-DISPO) was manufactured in October 2023 and was handed over to the carrier Beacon Rail Capital Europe – Munchen. In December 2023, the locomotive was taken over on lease from the carrier DB Fernverkehr AG by PKP InterCity and runs trains in Poland. The locomotive runs, for example, the InterCity 57000/58 GEDANIA Gdynia Główna – Berlin Hauptbahnhof or InterCity 3600/6300 WYSPIAŃSKI Przemyśl Główny – Wrocław Główny trains.

Written by Karol Placha Hetman