New Vectrons for Srbija Voz

[Class15]

Hi everyone,

So I saw this article:

Srbijavoz signs Siemens deal for six Vectron locomotives

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SERBIA: State passenger operator Srbijavoz has signed a EUR 35.35m contract with Siemens Mobility Austria for six Vectron multi-system electric locomotives, due for delivery in June and July 2027 for services to Budapest. They replace traction the operator’s acting director describes as more than 40 years old and neither reliable nor of good quality.

Acting director Ljubiša Pejičić and Matthias Hermann Koch, managing director of Siemens Mobility Austria, signed the contract in Belgrade on 18 August, seven weeks after Srbijavoz named Siemens as the winner on 26 June. The locomotives will be built at the Munich-Allach plant. The price excludes VAT and covers eight years of maintenance and driver training.

The order is part of a fleet renewal timed for EXPO 2027 in Belgrade, alongside the 30 commuter units ordered from CAF earlier this year. Srbijavoz had set a ceiling of RSD 4.69bn (around EUR 40m) for the six locomotives, and Siemens’ price came in below it. Industry reports name Alstom as the only other bidder.

A serial platform for a corridor into the EU
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Andreas Palfi of Siemens Mobility Austria said more than 3,000 Vectrons have been built and around 2,000 are in operation. Srbijavoz has chosen the same multi-system version its EU neighbours run, which keeps the Budapest link on one traction type across the border.

Delivery falls in the months EXPO 2027 runs, from May to August. Whether the locomotives carry passengers during the exhibition depends on commissioning, for which no timetable has been given.

This is really unclear on what the services will be used for. It says Budapest, but I thought the Budapest trains were to be run by the CRRC EMUs? And also, it says they will replace the “not good quality“ (!) old locomotives (presumably series 441 and 461). These are presently only used on the night train to Bar and the Optima Express (on the Sid - Nis section). But if they go to Budapest and other EU countries, how will there be enough to work to Bar and the Optima while having thunderbirds, or will Some 441s and 461s be retained?

I would be grateful if someone could explain all this to me.

 

[AdamWW]

This is really unclear on what the services will be used for. It says Budapest, but I thought the Budapest trains were to be run by the CRRC EMUs?

I think there's supposed to be a loco hauled Vienna to Belgrade service.
Maybe this will change locomotives in Budapest.
I don't think that would need six locomotives though.

 

[Class15]

I think there's supposed to be a loco hauled Vienna to Belgrade service.
Maybe this will change locomotives in Budapest.
I don't think that would need six locomotives though.

That makes sense.

I’m not getting how such a small order covers replacing all the older locos, plus this alleged Budapest/Vienna service. Indeed, if the 461s in particular were actually maintained properly, they would be better used on the “Lovćen” (the Bar night train) than expensive 125mph Vectrons!

 

[AdamWW]

That makes sense.

I've just looked at the Man in Seat 61's web site and he says there are expected to be two trains each way to Vienna.

Not sure that would occupy 6 locomotives between Belgrade and Budapest.

I can see why there might be an engine change in Budapest even if a Vectron could run throughout if they reverse in Keleti.

 

[Class15]

Completely agree with this. But a lot of the news articles about said vectrons state Budapest, so wondering if the plan is now to use SOKO units on services terminating at Subotica and Vectrons on Budapest trains?

That wouldn’t, I don’t think, allow use of the vectrons to Bijelo Polje.

What I’m trying to work out is whether the future of the 441 and 461 locomotives is secure?