Vectron 230 km/h certification: ERA approval in Europe

Vectron 230 km/h certification allows Siemens Mobility to operate the locomotive at speeds of up to 230 km/h across six countries.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) has granted approval for Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary; certification work for Denmark is still being prepared (see the Siemens Mobility press release).

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Vectron 230 km/h certification: ERA approval footprint

ERA’s approval covers operation of the Vectron electric locomotive at a maximum speed of up to 230 km/h on the infrastructure of the countries listed above. Work on certification in Denmark is underway, but the final decision has not yet been issued; Railway Supply has previously covered Vectron’s preparation for the 230 km/h operating mode and the certification outlook.

ČD’s Vectron MS order and entry-into-service timeline

The first operator set to use the new approval will be the Czech Railways (ČD). In 2022, the company ordered 50 high-speed multisystem Vectron MS locomotives and plans to begin placing this batch into service from January 1, 2026 (order details are provided by České dráhy).

ETCS 3.6 and Trainguard 200 OBU: onboard systems and upgrades

The locomotives are equipped with Trainguard 200 OBU onboard units and meet the requirements of the European Train Control System (ETCS) specification, version 3.6. Support for the national cab-signalling systems used in the countries within the locomotives’ operating area is also provided.

Vectron’s modular technology platform makes it possible to prepare the locomotive for operation across an extended speed range with minimal cost. In such a modification, the key change is described as adapting the traction gearbox gear ratio.

To date, Siemens Mobility has sold more than 2,800 Vectron-family locomotives to over 110 customers in 20 European countries. The combined mileage of this fleet is estimated at around 1.3 billion km.

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