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Press Release12 January 2026Siemens AGMunich
Clear tracks ahead for Siemens’ dual-mode locomotive with ETCS in Germany and Austria
The Vectron Dual Mode
locomotive from Siemens Mobility has received authorization for cross-border operation between Germany
and Austria. Following Germany, Austria is now the second country to grant authorization for this locomotive type. The first two
locomotives with dual authorization for both countries were handed over to the Austrian rail operator Stern
& Hafferl Verkehr. The locomotives are manufactured at Siemens Mobility’s
plant in Munich-Allach. They are equipped with the European Train Control System
(ETCS) using the modular Siemens On-board Unit Trainguard Basic, including ETCS
Baseline 3.6.
“The authorization of the Vectron Dual Mode for cross-border
use between Germany and Austria reinforces our commitment to providing our
customers with the most powerful and flexible locomotives for European freight
and passenger transport,” said Andre Rodenbeck, CEO Rolling Stock, Siemens
Mobility. “With its combination of electric and diesel traction, the Vectron
Dual Mode enables seamless operation even on partially electrified routes –
without time-consuming locomotive changes. This increases efficiency and
supports the modal shift to rail.”
“We recognized the potential of the Vectron Dual Mode
locomotives early on and made a deliberate decision to adopt them. The recently
granted Austria-wide authorization and the complete handover of all six
locomotives mark an important milestone for us. They enable seamless, efficient
operations right through to the last mile and make a significant contribution
to environmentally conscious freight transport – with the goal of shifting even
more traffic from road to rail and strengthening our region sustainably,” says
Günter Neumann, CEO of Stern & Hafferl Verkehr.
Dual-mode locomotives like the Vectron Dual Mode enable
locally emission-free operation under overhead lines while also covering
non-electrified routes. This makes them a valuable solution for reducing
emissions, particularly in densely populated urban areas.
The Vectron Dual Mode is based on proven components of the
Vectron platform. The locomotive has a track gauge of 1,435 mm, a service
weight of 90 tons, and is designed for 15 kV AC power systems. It delivers a
power output at wheel of max. 2,400 kW using catenary supply and max. 2,000 kW using
diesel mode. The diesel tank has a capacity of 2,600 liters, and the maximum
operating speed is 160 km/h. A train power supply is available. A version of
the locomotive that supports both 15 kV and 25 kV AC systems is also available.
For this press release
Siemens Mobility
is a separately managed company of Siemens AG. As
a leader in intelligent transport solutions for more than 175 years, Siemens
Mobility is constantly innovating its portfolio. Its core areas include rolling
stock, rail automation and electrification, a comprehensive software portfolio,
turnkey systems as well as related services. With digital products and
solutions, and the use of industrial AI, Siemens Mobility is enabling mobility
operators worldwide to make their infrastructure intelligent, increase value
sustainably over the entire lifecycle, enhance passenger experience, and
guarantee availability. In fiscal year 2025, which ended on September 30, 2025,
Siemens Mobility posted revenue of €12.4 billion and employed around 43,400
people worldwide. Further information is available at:
www.siemens.com/mobility