ELL wins DSB lease contract for up to 12 Vectron locomotives

Danish State Railways (DSB) has awarded ELL a EUR 26.35 million contract to lease Siemens Vectron electric locomotives for regional and long-distance passenger services. DSB expects to introduce the leased locomotives from December 2026, initially requiring six units until November 2027. The fleet will increase to 10–12 locomotives between December 2027 and April 2029, before gradually declining to 6–8 units until April 2030. The additional locomotives will haul DSB's EC Talgo trainsets and other locomotive-hauled passenger coaches. DSB cited increasing passenger demand and the transition to new rolling stock as reasons for the temporary fleet expansion. The tender specified Siemens Vectron AC B18 locomotives manufactured within the previous five years. They must support push-pull operation, including formations with locomotives at both ends, and be compatible with Banedanmark's electrified network, excluding the Copenhagen S-train system. ELL will also be responsible for preventive and corrective maintenance, spare parts and locomotive availability. Maintenance facilities must be located in Denmark or the Malmö region of Sweden and comply with European Entity in Charge of Maintenance (ECM) requirements. The procurement attracted three bids. DSB had initially estimated the contract at EUR 30 million. The agreement covers a 41-month operating period and approximately three months of mobilisation, with options for two additional 12-month extensions, bringing the maximum duration to 68 months.