The first two locomotives, which are classified class 245 by DB, will be delivered at the end of next year and they will completely displace class 218 diesel locomotives currently used on the shuttles by mid-2016. DB says a single class 245 will replace a pair of class 218s on these trains.
The Traxx DE ME is equipped with four 563kW Caterpillar C18 engines, which work simultaneously to offer a total continuous output of 2252kW. During shunting operations at Niebüll and Westerland the locomotives will operate using only one of the four engines, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Earlier this year financial joint venture Paribus-DIF Netz West Lokomotiven ordered 15 Traxx DE MEs on behalf of Schleswig-Holstein State Transport Company (LVS) for use on regional passenger services between Hamburg and Westerland. These locomotives will also be delivered in 2015.
DB signed a framework deal with Bombardier in April 2011 for up to 200 Traxx DE ME locomotives, the first of which entered service on June 2 with DB Regio Allgäu-Schwaben on services from Munich to Kempten and Füssen.
A full technical description of the Traxx DE ME can be viewed here.
