Finnish rail operator VR Group has placed an order for 80 new electric Vectron locomotives to take over passenger and freight operations in the country.
Siemens has described the €300 million deal as the “largest rolling stock investment ever made by VR Group”.
The order includes an option for 97 additional vehicles and a 10-year maintenance contract for the new fleet.
In a statement from Siemens, VR Group’s president and chief executive Mikael Aro said: “The selection was made after a long and careful examination. The electric locomotive manufactured by Siemens is well suited to the challenging conditions in Finland.”
Delivery of the locomotives is expected to begin in 2016 and continue until 2026, with the first vehicles due to go into operation in 2017.
The locomotives will be built in Munich, while the bogies will be supplied from Siemens’ plant in Graz, Austria.
