The locomotives were built in 2011 by Siemens as dc trial units for its new Vectron design and have been on test in Poland since December 2011. The two test locomotives will now form part of an order for 23 locomotives, and the first three of the additional 21 units should be ready by mid-2013, with completion of the order scheduled for December 2015. The contract includes an option for up to 13 more locomotives.
The two trial locomotives completed 80,000km during the test programme this year hauling freight trains for DB Schenker Poland and PKP InterCity passenger trains. Approval for operation in Poland was received from Poland's UTK safety authority in September.
Poland is the second country to grant approval for operation of Vectron locomotives after Romania certified Vectron earlier this year, although Siemens has yet to receive an order for the locomotives there. Despite delivering the first 15kV ac Vectron to leasing company Railpool in Germany, Siemens is still awaiting full approval to operate it in Germany from the Federal Railway Authority (EBA), although this is expected "very soon."
