No more locomotive changes at borders
Since the beginning of November, Swiss carrier BLS Cargo has been running freight trains for Italian operator Ambrogio Intermodal to Belgium using the same locomotive throughout, without a change of engines at the borders.
This is the first time the company has used its new Vectron Re 475 locomotives end-to-end on the route with the service being provided almost entirely by BLS Cargo group resources.
Subsidiary Crossrail Benelux hauls the trains in Germany and Belgium, in Switzerland BLS Cargo itself takes over this role.
BLS Cargo ordered 25 new ‘Vectron’ multi-system locomotives from Siemens, equipped with traction and train control systems required for operation in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium. A total of ten units will be delivered by the end of 2020 with the remaining 15 due to follow in 2023. (ben)