Thirty-Two New Modern Electric Locomotives Equipped for Use in the Netherlands

Mainz/Utrecht, When the new international timetable goes into effect in mid-December 2009, DB Schenker Rail will put an additional 32 modern, eco friendly electric locomotives into operation for freight transportation between the Netherlands and Germany. DB Schenker Rail has had 26 comparable locomotives in operation for international transportation between the Netherlands and Germany for two years.

The 32 new locomotives will replace older diesel locomotives, says Edmund Schlummer, Head of Region Central and Member of the Management Board of DB Schenker Rail. By introducing the new locomotives, we are helping make rail transportation more eco friendly.

With a performance of 6,400 kW and a tractive effort on starting of 300 kN, the series-189 traction units from DB Schenker are intended for heavy freight trains along international routes.

In addition to the existing systems in Germany, the traction units also feature the ATB (first generation) and ETCS (level 1 and 2) train protection systems commonly used in the Netherlands. The locomotives will be compatible both with the traditional 1,500 volt direct current overhead line voltage traditionally used in the Netherlands and with the Betuwe route (25,000 volt alternating current).