The contract follows the successful completion of a feasibility study for the joint development of a new hybrid locomotive. The locomotives will be assembled at DB Cargo’s maintenance facility in Rostock with a view to starting assembly in 2021. DB says the 50 new hybrid locomotives will replace 61 old locomotives and form part of DB Strong Rail strategy, which is aimed at rail freight growth. The locomotives will include Toshiba’s 1 SCiB lithium-ion battery system, which is certified by TÜV Rheinland. DB estimates the new locomotives will reduce energy consumption by 30% and save 1 million litres of diesel fuel per year. DB says the new locomotives will also be easier to operate and will have a higher average fleet availability. “Together with Toshiba, we are setting standards in a crucial future technology,” says Dr Sigrid Nikutta, DB Group board member for freight transport and DB Cargo. “The alternative drive concept will enable us to do the work in our marshalling yards more resource-efficiently in the future.” “Toshiba is very proud to develop its first European shunting locomotive for DB Cargo,” says Mr Takayuki Konno, corporate senior vice-president of Toshiba Corporation and president and CEO of Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation. “Our Toshiba HDB 800 is equipped with the latest technologies.” For more information on locomotive orders in Europe, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
