Vectron Approved for 230 km/h Passenger Service

Siemens Mobility has received authorization from the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) for its Vectron locomotive to operate passenger services at speeds of up to 230 km/h, marking the first time a modern locomotive platform has achieved this approval across multiple European countries.

Multi-country authorization for higher-speed passenger rail
The ERA authorization applies to passenger operation in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary. Approval for Denmark is in preparation and expected at a later stage. With this decision, Vectron becomes the first contemporary locomotive platform authorized for regular passenger service at 230 km/h under the European interoperability framework.

The authorization reflects compliance with both European Technical Specifications for Interoperability and country-specific operational requirements, enabling cross-border deployment without redesigning the core platform.

First deployment with České dráhy
The first operator to benefit from the approval is the Czech national railway operator České dráhy. The company ordered 50 Vectron MS multisystem locomotives in early 2022, with deliveries already underway.

According to current plans, the locomotives will enter passenger service from January 1, 2026. The higher authorized speed allows České dráhy to deploy the locomotives on fast long-distance and cross-border routes where higher line speeds are available.

Signalling and train protection systems
The authorized Vectron locomotives are equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) Baseline 3.6, supporting interoperability across European rail networks. Siemens Mobility’s Trainguard 200 ETCS onboard unit provides the core signalling interface.

In addition to ETCS, the locomotives are fitted with the national train protection systems required for operation in each authorized country. This combination allows seamless transitions between national networks while maintaining compliance with local safety regulations.

Technical adaptations enabling 230 km/h operation
The higher maximum speed was achieved within the existing Vectron modular platform. The most significant technical modification is an adjustment to the gear ratio, allowing higher operating speeds without fundamental changes to traction, braking, or vehicle structure.

Because the Vectron platform is designed with modular subsystems, the speed upgrade could be implemented with limited engineering effort, reducing both development time and certification complexity.

Implications for European passenger rail
Locomotives capable of 230 km/h passenger service provide rail operators with additional flexibility, particularly on mixed-traffic corridors where dedicated high-speed trainsets may not be economical or operationally practical. A multisystem locomotive with this speed capability can haul conventional passenger coaches at competitive journey times while retaining the ability to operate across borders.

Within the broader European rail market, the authorization demonstrates how modular locomotive platforms can be adapted to higher-performance requirements while remaining compliant with evolving interoperability and signalling standards.