RheinCargo Acquires Three New Locomotives for Intermodal Transport

The logistics service provider RheinCargo has taken delivery of three new Siemens Vectron Dual Mode locomotives. On behalf of HGK Logistics & Intermodal, the locomotives will be used starting January 1, 2022, to operate container trains between Duisburg, Bremen, and Bönen. The locomotives can also be used on short, non-electrified sections.

(Neuss) RheinCargo has rented the three locomotives from a service provider. The special hybrid vehicles are capable of operating both under overhead lines and on non-electrified tracks. With a traction power of at least 2000 kW, long container trains are reliably and swiftly transported under both drive types.
Hybrid System Saves Emissions

Due to the hybrid system, routes that are not fully electrified can be used without changing locomotives. “The positive effects are obvious. In our new services between Duisburg, Bremen, and Bönen, over 95 percent of the routes are electrified. The diesel drive is only needed for the first and last mile. Instead of using a diesel locomotive for the entire route or for a few kilometers, the combustion engine is only used when absolutely necessary. This is the case, for example, in container terminals that, due to their construction, do not have overhead lines, or on connecting tracks. All main routes are consistently operated electrically,” explains Daniel Jacobs, responsible for vehicle management at RheinCargo.

Since the beginning of 2021, RheinCargo has been sourcing green electricity for the electric locomotives used in the company. Thanks to the dual mode concept, emissions can be drastically reduced in comparison to previous operations in the new services. The locomotives belong to Siemens’ Vectron family, meet the latest technical standards, and are particularly efficient and reliable. RheinCargo already owns six new electric locomotives of the Siemens Smartron type, which are based on the same platform.

RheinCargo has taken delivery of three new Siemens Vectron Dual Mode locomotives

Climate Balance of Container Transport Improved

In addition to the three new locomotives, over 50 rented container flatcars of the Sggnss 80XL type from the manufacturer Tatravagonka will also be used for the new services. These cars are particularly long, quiet, and offer flexible loading options. The weight of the cars is reduced by over 20 percent compared to classic cars. Since summer 2021, RheinCargo has already been using 73 of its own cars of the same type, which have proven to be excellent for other container transport operations.

“By investing in modern locomotives and freight cars, we can significantly improve the climate balance and efficiency of container transport. This gives customers and shippers an additional incentive to shift more volumes to rail,” says Wolfgang Birlin, managing director responsible for freight rail at RheinCargo. Birlin further states: “The use of additional dual mode locomotives is already under review.”

Photos: © RheinCargo