The Swiss rail freight operator SBB Cargo is leasing 20 Vectron locomotives from Südleasing. The new locomotives will enable heavier traction in transalpine transport. 

According to Siemens, the manufacturer of the locomotives, SBB Cargo commissioned Südleasing to order the locomotives. The Swiss company will be leasing the locomotives from Südleasing on a flexible long-term basis. Siemens will be providing maintenance for a period of 15 years.

The order includes the so-called “XLoad” package, which increases the traction capability of the locomotives and grows its hauling capacity. Siemens says that XLoad “enables heavier trains to be run in single traction on the Swiss north-south axis, eliminating the need for a second four-axle booster locomotive.” They can reach a speed of up to 160 kilometres per hour.

Transalpine transport

SBB Cargo will use the 20 new locomotives for transalpine transport, and are allowed to operate in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy and the Netherlands. All locomotives are equipped with ETCS.

“For us, Vectron is the ideal locomotive for providing interoperable service between the Netherlands and Italy. In addition, the XLoad package will enable us to run longer and heavier trains in single traction through the Alps, eliminating the need for using a more expensive six-axle locomotive,” said Sven Flore, CEO of SBB Cargo International.