The four-axle locomotive is designed to enable the use of various different traction configurations, depending on the specific requirements of the customer. The locomotive can be supplied with two 354kW Caterpillar diesel engines and Gmeinder also offers a hybrid variant, which is equipped with one Caterpillar engine and a lithium-ion traction battery, or a 750Vdc third-rail or overhead electric.
The locomotive on display in Berlin is a dual-engine diesel unit destined for steel producer ArcelorMittal, which has ordered six locomotives. Gmeinder has so far supplied one diesel and one hybrid DE75 BB to ArcelorMittal, with the configuration of the remaining four units still to be determined by the customer.
Daimler has also ordered one dual-engine diesel locomotive for use at one of its car plants in Germany.
Gmeinder says the DE 75 BB will be authorised for main line operation in Germany, and has already tested one of the units at up to 100km/h. A higher-powered variant is also being considered.