German Railways are decommissioning diesel locomotives

In the long term, approximately 900 diesel locomotives are to be replaced by models with alternative drives. DB Cargo announced that currently about 300 shunting and dual-power locomotives are being delivered. The dual-power locomotives have both an electric motor and a diesel engine. This allows them to use the electric drive over long distances "under catenary" and to switch to conventional diesel drive on branch lines without overhead lines.

Locomotives from Siemens, Vossloh, and Toshiba

More than a year ago, manufacturer Siemens Mobility won a DB tender with locomotives of the Vectron Dual Mode type. Around 250 locomotives of this type are to be delivered starting from 2023.

Additionally, from 2024, 50 new hybrid shunting locomotives from manufacturer Simulation Vossloh Locomotives are to be added. The new machines are designed as plug-in hybrids, where the diesel drive is supported by an electric motor. These locomotives are intended to move freight trains weighing several thousand tons in shunting service. Furthermore, the locomotives are supposed to feature modern exhaust cleaning technology.

Furthermore, 100 Toshiba hybrid shunting locomotives of the HDB 800 type are also to be deployed in the same year. They will be manufactured in the former maintenance plant of DB Cargo in Rostock.