Bombardier : TRAXX AC3 Last Mile function ready for use in Austria

News by Mediarail.be - Signalling technician and railways observer

See also the Trainworld on facebook of Mediarail.be, also Twitter and LinkedIn

02/02/2016

Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation announced today that its BOMBARDIER TRAXX AC3 Last Mile Locomotive has been homologated in Austria. This means the TRAXX AC Last Mile locomotive is now approved for operation in the entire “DACH” region: Germany, Austria and Switzerland. 

Christian Diewald, Managing Director Bombardier Transportation Austria, said : «  Approval in Austria is another very important milestone for further implementing of TRAXX AC3 Last Mile locomotives in Central Europe, but also in Austria itself. It is the only locomotive which has already proven its strong performance in Last Mile operation during many successful test runs in Austria as well as in commercial operation in Switzerland – now it is ready for revenue service in Austria.  » This approval is obviously crucial to win contracts because Bombardier has already received over 240 orders for the various versions of the TRAXX locomotives AC3 and, to date, has sold about 2,000 units from the TRAXX platform. This announcement is made whereas Siemens stated last week that 300 Vectron were sold (see article) 

The TRAXX AC Last Mile locomotive features an innovative support diesel engine accompanied by a traction battery and remote control for shunting. Together, these systems enable this electric locomotive to efficiently bridge sections of non-electrified track (with seamless transition from electric to diesel operation and vice versa). This ability is put to great use in places like ports, terminals, depots or factories where a supporting diesel shunting locomotive is often called in to help trains cross the final, non-electrified, track sections known as the “last mile”. 

According the manufacturer, The TRAXX locomotive’s ability to operate on catenary power, wherever possible, and to use its support diesel engine only where necessary (in non-electrified sections/Last Miles) is not only efficient and economical (requiring only one driver), but also environmentally friendly. An advantage that is particularly important in regions with sensitive landscapes, like the Austrian Alps. Additional advantages of the locomotive are its superior tractive effort, its top quality and improved software structure leading to high reliability and its low energy and maintenance costs.

(photo Bombardier)