RATH Group, Austria, awarded Siemens a contract on July 9 to supply three Vectron multisystem (MS) locomotives which RTB Cargo, the freight transport arm of the Rath Group, will use for freight services in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia.

Delivery of the locomotives, which will be built at Siemens’ Munich-Allach plant, will begin in December 2018.

“The Rath Group is the fortieth customer for our Vectron platform,” says Siemens Mobility Division CEO Ms Sabrina Soussan. “This success story underscores the quality and reliable service of our locomotives throughout Europe.”

The locomotives for the Rath Group have a maximum output of 6.4MW and a top speed of 160km/h.

The Vectron MS operates on 15kV/16.7Hz, 25kV 50Hz AC and 1.5kV dc and 3kV dc voltages and is equipped with national train control systems as well as ETCS.