ČD to buy ten Vectrons from RSL

ČD has announced that it will buy back ten of the Vectron MS locomotives it leases from RSL. In fact, the first has already been bought back as of 3 May 2024. According to RSL's announcement, the sale of further locomotives will follow at an average frequency of one per month until first quarter 2025.

On 17 February 2021, ČD concluded a framework contract with RSL for full-service leasing of up to 50 locomotives, with the option to buy them back at a later date, but not earlier than 12 months after the commencement of the lease. The leases started in March 2021 and gradually the entire framework contract was filled by ordering the lease of all 50 machines. The full number should be available by the end of this year.

The first locomotive purchased is 193 566, not the oldest of the RSL machines, but only the first of the 2023 deliveries - it was handed over to ČD on 2 May 2023, so it was purchased after the shortest contractual period possible.

Together with ten ELL Vectrons and one previously acquired as its own, 193 902 (used by VUZ for testing purposes), Czech Railways will operate a total of 61 Vectrons at the end of this year. The timing of deliveries to the end of 2024 is important, as exclusive operation under ETCS should be introduced on two main corridors in the Czech Republic by 1 January 2025.

ČD has purchased another 50 locomotives of this type, but of the Class 384 modified for 230 km/h, directly from the manufacturer and their delivery is planned for the end of 2025.