foto: RAILTARGET/The christening of the VECTRON locomotive to mark METRANS’ 35th anniversary
A new Siemens Vectron locomotive featuring a special livery marking METRANS’ 35th anniversary made its debut at Rail Business Days in Ostrava. The operator plans to deploy the locomotive in international intermodal services across Central Europe and the Balkans.
The christening of the new METRANS locomotive was among the highlights of the opening day of the Rail Business Days exhibition in Ostrava. The ceremony took place on the exhibition tracks and was attended by Transport Minister Ivan Bednárik, METRANS Chief Operating Officer Martin Hořínek, and Roman Kokšal, CEO of Siemens Mobility Czech Republic.
On the occasion, METRANS unveiled a new Vectron locomotive carrying a special anniversary livery celebrating the company’s 35 years of operation. Hořínek noted that the company has grown significantly since its foundation.
"Today, we operate in sixteen countries, run twenty intermodal terminals and employ approximately 2,700 people," he said, adding that the new locomotive is intended to symbolise this development.
The locomotive is designed for international intermodal operations. METRANS plans to use it across several Central European countries as well as in the Balkans, including Serbia and Croatia.
Bednárik: METRANS Continues to Develop Rail Freight
According to Hořínek, the new locomotive is also equipped with ETCS, an important feature for cross-border operations and the continued development of European rail freight transport.
METRANS has long focused on intermodal transport, combining rail, road and terminal infrastructure. The new locomotive is intended to become another element of this strategy. Hořínek also explained why the company once again selected Siemens technology: "We have enjoyed a long-term partnership with Siemens and are very satisfied with these locomotives. They perform extremely well."
During the ceremony, Czech Transport Minister Ivan Bednárik recalled that he had christened similar locomotives in the past. He described the new vehicle as another addition to the fleet of modern electric locomotives registered in the Czech Republic and praised METRANS for continuing to invest in rail freight and fleet modernisation. "I wish this locomotive as few incidents as possible and hope it serves the purpose for which it was built – transporting goods safely across Europe," said Bednárik.
According to the minister, ensuring that goods move safely and on time from point A to point B remains essential, with rail freight transport and intermodal solutions playing a crucial role.
Siemens Highlights Long-Term Partnership
Roman Kokšal also referred to the long-standing cooperation between Siemens Mobility and METRANS, noting that the newly unveiled locomotive is far from the first vehicle Siemens has supplied to the operator.
Previous deliveries included ER20 locomotives, seven of which remain in service today. The new Vectron continues and expands that partnership. According to Kokšal, the number of locomotives delivered to METRANS is now approaching sixty. "We greatly appreciate the trust placed in us and hope we will continue to live up to it," he said.
Kokšal also recalled earlier cooperation with Minister Bednárik, including locomotive deliveries for ČD Cargo, when delivery times were significantly shorter than they are today. "Back then, delivery times could be as short as two months. It was a great learning experience for us, and we are grateful for it," he added.
A Symbol of 35 Years of Growth
The ceremonial christening was more than simply the presentation of another locomotive. For METRANS, it also marked 35 years of growth and development, during which the company has become one of Europe’s leading intermodal transport operators.
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According to company representatives, the locomotive was delivered only shortly before the exhibition. Hořínek revealed that METRANS had taken delivery of the vehicle just a few days earlier, making its appearance at Rail Business Days effectively its public premiere.
The presentation provided another example of how rail freight transport in Central Europe continues to evolve through fleet modernisation, interoperability and a stronger focus on international operations. For METRANS, the new locomotive serves as both an anniversary symbol and a sign of continued expansion and cooperation with Siemens.