RDC Deutschland Group expands AUTOZUG Sylt's Vectron fleet with two new dual-mode locomotives
For the tenth anniversary of AUTOZUG Sylt: Vectron X Dual Mode from Siemens Mobility significantly reduces consumption and emissions – delivery from July 2027
The RDC Deutschland Group is procuring two new locomotives of the Vectron X Dual Mode type for its AUTOZUG Sylt, thereby expanding its fleet of economical Vectron machines, which have been in service between Niebüll and Westerland since 2017. The two new additions replace older locomotives – in AUTOZUG-Sylt operations alone, this saves around 275 tonnes of CO₂ per year. The dual-mode locomotives from Siemens Mobility combine the characteristics of a full diesel locomotive with those of an electric locomotive. In diesel operation, they deliver 2,000 kW at the wheel and use significantly less fuel than the machines previously used. On electrified routes, the vehicles can also operate purely electrically. They reach 160 km/h, are fitted with a particulate filter and can be used in both passenger and freight transport. Their starting tractive effort of 300 kilonewton also enables fully loaded car trains to accelerate quickly and so helps to maintain the dense timetable between Niebüll and Westerland. The locomotives are equipped with ETCS, the uniform European train control system, which is already installed across the board in neighbouring countries such as Denmark, Belgium and Switzerland. They can also be shunted by radio remote control, without the train driver having to sit in the cab.
Another advantage of the Vectron platform is its expandability: even after delivery, the locomotives can be supplemented with additional country packages. This means the vehicles can later be approved for use in other European countries without any costly fundamental conversion. Delivery is scheduled for July 2027, with regular service due to begin in August 2027. With an investment volume of around ten million euros, the company is underlining its long-term commitment to transport links to Sylt: AUTOZUG Sylt carries commuters, tradespeople, delivery traffic and visitors between the mainland and the island every day.
“Sylt needs a transport link the island can rely on every day. With these two locomotives, we are investing in reliability and flexibility – and at the same time in a noticeably more economical and lower-emission operation,” says Dr. Markus Hunkel, CEO of the RDC Deutschland Group. Julian Rönsch, COO Schleswig-Holstein, adds: “With this procurement, we are giving ourselves a gift for the 10th birthday we are celebrating this year. Ten years of AUTOZUG Sylt mean ten years of competition and innovation on the Marschbahn – with this investment, we are showing that we have the next ten years firmly in sight.” Steffen Bobsien, Senior Vice President Locomotives & Passenger Coaches at Siemens Mobility, says: “The Vectron X Dual Mode is at home on every route, whether electrified or not. We are very pleased to accompany RDC in modernising its fleet.”
