ALEX Tauruses for Sale

[Stephen Lee]

Railcolor News on Instagram: " EuroSprinters for sale: Four Länderbahn (operating as Alex) E183 are reportedly up for sale ️ Alex operations are set to shrink significantly in December of 2023, as its Munich-Regensburg-Hof services will be taken ove

1,356 likes, 22 comments - railcolor on October 31, 2023: " EuroSprinters for sale: Four Länderbahn (operating as Alex) E183 are reportedly up for sale ️ Alex operations are set to shrink significantly in December of 2023, as its Munich-Regensburg-Hof services will be taken over by DB Regio...

www.instagram.com

I guess they will be converted to quadruple voltage and go to ČD? However, if the locomotives are to be sold? What locomotive will Munich-Regensburg use?

 

[43096]

Railcolor News on Instagram: " EuroSprinters for sale: Four Länderbahn (operating as Alex) E183 are reportedly up for sale ️ Alex operations are set to shrink significantly in December of 2023, as its Munich-Regensburg-Hof services will be taken ove

1,356 likes, 22 comments - railcolor on October 31, 2023: " EuroSprinters for sale: Four Länderbahn (operating as Alex) E183 are reportedly up for sale ️ Alex operations are set to shrink significantly in December of 2023, as its Munich-Regensburg-Hof services will be taken over by DB Regio...

www.instagram.com

I guess they will be converted to quadruple voltage and go to ČD? However, if the locomotives are to be sold? What locomotive will Munich-Regensburg use?

Why would ČD want them when they have 26 Vectrons still to come on lease from RSL, plus a further 50 Vectrons on order from Siemens?

The four 183s for sale are owned by Hannover Leasing and are being off leased, to be replaced by four ES64U2s leased from (presumably) Beacon.

 

[andersj]

DB takes over and will be using their own double decker coaches and their own locomotives. BR 146 München-Regensburg and BR 218 Regensburg-Hof.

The 7 Bombardier Twindexx coaches from 2009 used by Länderbahn on the line have already been sold to DSB in Denmark, where they will be delivered in December.

 

[AdamWW]

DB takes over and will be using their own double decker coaches and their own locomotives. BR 146 München-Regensburg and BR 218 Regensburg-Hof.

The 7 Bombardier Twindexx coaches from 2009 used by Länderbahn on the line have already been sold to DSB in Denmark, where they will be delivered in December.

But presumably DB won't be hauling the ALEX Munich-Prague trains between Munich and Regensburg.

So far as I know the double deck coaches didn't run to Prague so it makes sense that these would be going.

 

[DanNCL]

I think RailAdventure and ČD are both possibilities. But there’s any number of private freight operators in Europe that could be interested.

Why would ČD want them when they have 26 Vectrons still to come on lease from RSL, plus a further 50 Vectrons on order from Siemens?

ČD still hire in 1216s from ÖBB so it would reduce the need for that, even if it wouldn’t completely eliminate it.

 

[43096]

ČD still hire in 1216s from ÖBB so it would reduce the need for that, even if it wouldn’t completely eliminate it.

They do, but the Vectrons would allow them to end the hire. Converting mid-life locos is unlikely to be good value compared with a new multi-system loco.

 

[Stephen Lee]

DB takes over and will be using their own double decker coaches and their own locomotives. BR 146 München-Regensburg and BR 218 Regensburg-Hof.

The 7 Bombardier Twindexx coaches from 2009 used by Länderbahn on the line have already been sold to DSB in Denmark, where they will be delivered in December.

Why don’t DB use Vectron DM instead?

 

[43096]

Why don’t DB use Vectron DM instead?

Because they haven’t got any?

 

[Stephen Lee]

Because they haven’t got any?

There is an option that DB Cargo can order 250 more Class 248 while DB Long distance division has ordered 21 Class 248

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Nov 2023 ==

But presumably DB won't be hauling the ALEX Munich-Prague trains between Munich and Regensburg.

So far as I know the double deck coaches didn't run to Prague so it makes sense that these would be going.

If the route between Regensburg-Schwandorf-Furth im Wald-Plzen is to be electrified, is it possible to start a service from Munich-Prague-Warsaw?

 

[YorkshireBear]

What locos currently operate the Prague to Munich service then? I am travelling on it in 12 days from Prague to Regensburg.

 

[43096]

There is an option that DB Cargo can order 250 more Class 248 while DB Long distance division has ordered 21 Class 248

The order/option is for 249s, which are lower-spec locos for Cargo trip work etc.

In any case, it’s a moot point as they wouldn’t be ready for December!

 

[43096]

What locos currently operate the Prague to Munich service then? I am travelling on it in 12 days from Prague to Regensburg.

Prague to Plzen is a ČD electric loco (normally a 362), then an Alex 223 diesel forward to Schwandorf, where the train normally joins with a portion from Hof, with a different 223 forward to Regensburg.

 

[AdamWW]

Prague to Plzen is a ČD electric loco (normally a 362), then an Alex 223 diesel forward to Schwandorf, where the train normally joins with a portion from Hof, with a different 223 forward to Regensburg.

And then, for those carrying on to Munich, an Alex electric loco for the last leg.

Can't be many services these days with 4 different locos along the way.

I don't know what happens when it stops joining with the Hof portion (from December?) - I think there is a change of direction so the engine would at least have to run round.

 

[Jamesrob637]

I have a PIKO model one. I'll buy a real one if necessary to supplement it Can I pay in instalments?!

Also, what will happen to the lovely ex-Ferrovie dello Stato coaches that Alex have been using since just before Covid? I last travelled on ALEX in winter 2017, just before they were cascaded from Italia.

 

[StephenHunter]

Prague to Plzen is a ČD electric loco (normally a 362), then an Alex 223 diesel forward to Schwandorf, where the train normally joins with a portion from Hof, with a different 223 forward to Regensburg.

There are five railway lines that cross between Czechia and the former West Germany; they are all single track and unelectrified.

 

[Stephen Lee]

DB takes over and will be using their own double decker coaches and their own locomotives. BR 146 München-Regensburg and BR 218 Regensburg-Hof.

The 7 Bombardier Twindexx coaches from 2009 used by Länderbahn on the line have already been sold to DSB in Denmark, where they will be delivered in December.

why do DSB need new coaches while they already order EMUs?

 

[43096]

why do DSB need new coaches while they already order EMUs?

To strengthen the existing double-deck sets and to provide cover during the overhaul programme for those sets. They can add vehicles to the sets as the Vectrons that now power them have plenty of power (6.4MW vs 2.4MW of the ME diesels they replace). It’s one of the advantages of locomotive haulage.

 

[popeter45]

why do DSB need new coaches while they already order EMUs?

the commuter lines around copenhagen are all double decker loco hauled units, recently swapped from diesel ME locos to electric EB locos

 

[Stephen Lee]

To strengthen the existing double-deck sets and to provide cover during the overhaul programme for those sets. They can add vehicles to the sets as the Vectrons that now power them have plenty of power (6.4MW vs 2.4MW of the ME diesels they replace). It’s one of the advantages of locomotive haulage.

What about the Talgo NMU and coradia EMUs?

 

[popeter45]

What about the Talgo NMU and coradia EMUs?

Those are for long distance services

Talgos are really not made for comuter services

 

[Stephen Lee]

I think RailAdventure and ČD are both possibilities. But there’s any number of private freight operators in Europe that could be interested.


ČD still hire in 1216s from ÖBB so it would reduce the need for that, even if it wouldn’t completely eliminate it.

If Vectrons are to be used for Railjet/Comfortjet services, can Tauruses be used for EN Chopin or for Comfortjet? Especially EN Chopin, although it has expanded its coverage through extension to Munich but since it has to change loco in Breclav the operation effectiveness is questionable

 

[87015]

If Vectrons are to be used for Railjet/Comfortjet services, can Tauruses be used for EN Chopin or for Comfortjet? Especially EN Chopin, although it has expanded its coverage through extension to Munich but since it has to change loco in Breclav the operation effectiveness is questionable

They appear to be short of OBB 1216s since the Berlin overnight wastes two, the Graz-Bohumin one is being taken off at Breclav every day to cover Praha’s which are arriving with 380/362s

 

[Stephen Lee]

They appear to be short of OBB 1216s since the Berlin overnight wastes two, the Graz-Bohumin one is being taken off at Breclav every day to cover Praha’s which are arriving with 380/362s

ÖBB is of course short of 1016/1116/1216, especially for 1216 in Italy services. I suggest ÖBB order 1293 with a top speed of 230km/h for passenger services. However, i think it is also necessary to sweep away Tauruses from Cargo Division and replace them by 1293s with top speed of 160/200 km/h to cover for shortage of loco in passenger services and replace older locos

 

[ABB125]

I thought ÖBB historically had far too many Tauruses (Tauri?), has that changed in recent years?

 

[43096]

In any case - and getting away from the speculation - 183001-4 have been seen with D-WRSCH vehicle keeper markings (Widmer Rail Services). As they are not fitted for working into Switzerland, they are expected to be used by WRS's partners in Germany and Austria.

 

[Stephen Lee]

Those are for long distance services

Talgos are really not made for comuter services

For Regional services, I think DSB should order Twindexx Vario Power cars from Alstom so that Vectrons can be free up to Long distance services.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jan 2024 ==

For Regional services, I think DSB should order Twindexx Vario Power cars from Alstom so that Vectrons can be free up to Long distance services.

I don’t know whether this infrormation can be trusted:
The Twindexx Vario vehicle concept consists of a middle car with low or high-floor entry, unpowered control cars and railcars, referred to by the manufacturer as “powered control cars”. These individual vehicles can be combined in three basic configurations:

• Railcars and control cars , with up to two middle cars
• Railcars at both ends, with up to six middle cars
• Locomotive-hauled push-pull train , with control car and up to nine middle cars

 

[43096]

For Regional services, I think DSB should order Twindexx Vario Power cars from Alstom so that Vectrons can be free up to Long distance services.

Why would they order TWINDEXX power cars that they don’t need?! The Vectron fleet has been ordered specifically to cover the requirement for the double deck sets and the long distance Talgo sets. DSB have already doubled the Talgo fleet without needing additional locomotives by moving from top’n’tailing with two locos to using driving trailers with a single Vectron.

 

[Stephen Lee]

Why would they order TWINDEXX power cars that they don’t need?! The Vectron fleet has been ordered specifically to cover the requirement for the double deck sets and the long distance Talgo sets. DSB have already doubled the Talgo fleet without needing additional locomotives by moving from top’n’tailing with two locos to using driving trailers with a single Vectron.

i was thinking of whether DSB can use Talgo+Vectron for services to Sweden/Norway. If this is the case, then TWINDEXX power cars has to be ordered to free up Vectron and additional Talgo has to be ordered.

 

[popeter45]

i was thinking of whether DSB can use Talgo+Vectron for services to Sweden/Norway. If this is the case, then TWINDEXX power cars has to be ordered to free up Vectron and additional Talgo has to be ordered.

if ordering more Talgos why not order more Vectrons?
having a unified loco pool is useful for redundency and training, replacing with a twindexx power car feels more like a solution looking for a problem than anything else really

 

[43096]

if ordering more Talgos why not order more Vectrons?
having a unified loco pool is useful for redundency and training, replacing with a twindexx power car feels more like a solution looking for a problem than anything else really

Indeed, it's not as if the Vectron is out of production! The biggest issue would be getting a slot in Siemens' build programme as they have a very full order book.