GERMANY: Paribus Group’s rail leasing business Northrail has placed a firm order for a further three Siemens Moblity Smartron electric locomotives.
Scheduled to be available for short term lease to customers from December, they will take Northrail’s Smartron fleet to a total of 14 locomotives. All have been ordered within a December 2018 framework agreement covering up to 25 locomotives, with private equity investor RIVE Private Investment providing funding, Northrail managing the fleet and maintenance services being provided through Siemens Mobility’s Railcover service concept.
‘We are convinced of our Smartron locomotives because our customers are convinced’, said Northrail Managing Director Volker Simmering when the latest order was announced on November 25. ‘Many of our customers are using the current situation to modernise their fleets and thereby also save costs. The inexpensive Siemens Smartron is an ideal match.’
Founded in 2008, Northrail now manages around 160 locomotives and more than 90 passenger trainsets; it currently has 55 Stadler Flirt Akku battery multiple-units on order.
