The Belgian National Railway Company SNCB, or Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Belges, has just placed an order worth 211 million euros with Siemens Transportation Systems for 60 electric multi-system locomotives.

It’s the first order of electric locomotives for Siemens in Belgium. Based on the Taurus model, a special type of Eurosprinter that is operating for Austrian Federal Railways, these multi-system Eurosprinter ES60U3 type locomotives are to be delivered by Siemens between January 2009 and June 2010. The ES60U3 is a powerful 6,000 kW, four-axle standard locomotive and will replace older locomotives in the passenger rail sector and also provide additionally required capacity. The contract includes an option for 60 more locomotives. “SNCB made a decision for a modern, powerful and reliable locomotive with a wide range of application”, said Wolfram Seiler, Head of Locomotives at Siemens Transportation Systems.

Built for a top speed of 200 km/h, the Eurosprinter ES60U3 is also suitable for operation on Belgium's L2 high speed line linking Brussels and Liege. Beside that, the new locomotives should also be certified to operate on the neighboring country’s railway network and in cross-border traffic.