German investment firm Paribus Holding has signed a framework agreement with Siemens Mobility for 25 Smartron locomotives.
The deal was arranged and structured by Paribus for France-based RIVE Private Investment.
Northrail, a subsidiary of Paribus, will be responsible for asset management of the 25 locomotives.
Paribus had placed an initial order for four Smartron locomotives, valued at €2.5m each. Three of these locomotives will be leased to TX Logistik.
Designed for freight operations in Germany, Smartron locomotives are developed on Vectron components.
It is designed for 15-kV AC voltage systems and features the PZB/LZB train control system.
Siemens Mobility CEO Sabrina Soussan said: “Our new Smartron offers our customers a powerful and reliable locomotive delivered in a fixed standard design that simplifies the purchasing process.
“As a preconfigured locomotive, the Smartron enables our customers to operate cost-effectively with a high degree of availability.”
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in October. Siemens Mobility will also provide maintenance services for the locomotives for eight years.
Paribus Holding CEO and Northrail managing partner Dr Volker Simmering said: “With the addition of the Siemens Mobility’s Smartron locomotives to the northrail fleet, we are taking another big step towards an intelligent and resource-saving locomotive fleet.
“We’re especially pleased that TX Logistik has decided to become the first lessee of this reliable locomotive based on proven technology.”
Recently, Austrian Federal Railways ordered additional 24 Desiro ML regional trains with Siemens. The three-car electric trains will operate as Cityjet on the S-Bahn railway system in eastern Austria.
