GERMANY: HSL Logistik has placed its first order for new-build locomotives, awarding Bombardier Transportation a contract to supply four Traxx AC3 electric locomotives from its Kassel plant in late 2017 and early 2018.
HSL CEO Haiko Böttcher said the order followed the Hamburg-based freight operator’s ‘positive experience’ with leased Traxx locomotives. In December it began using two Traxx locos leased from Railpool to haul Großkorbetha – Würzburg/Schweinfurt oil trains. These have last-mile diesel engines, eliminating the need to use shunting locos at the terminals.
On January 1 HSL Logistik began operating five trains/week for REA-Gips from Jänschwalde power station in Peitz to the port of Stralsund. These are hauled by two Siemens Vectron AC locos which EP Cargo leases from Railpool and has made available to HSL.
