The Mitteldeutsche Regiobahn (MRB) has taken delivery of its first battery-powered train from manufacturer Alstom. The vehicle will initially be used for training and test runs to prepare train drivers for future passenger operations, as the company announced.
"With the first battery-powered train in our company, we can now start practical training for our train drivers," said Operations Manager Jens Jäger. There will be a particular focus on handling the driver assistance system, the capacity of the batteries in conjunction with the charging times and the new operational procedures for using the pantograph.
According to MRB, the test runs will take place between Leipzig and Chemnitz as well as on detour routes. They are intended to prepare train drivers for future use under realistic conditions.
The new battery-powered trains will reportedly replace diesel operation on several routes in Saxony. Commissioning was originally planned for December 2023. Due to delivery delays, a replacement concept with diesel locomotives and double-decker coaches is currently being used.
MRB is part of the Transdev Group and operates the RE 6 Leipzig - Chemnitz and RB 110 Leipzig - Döbeln lines in Saxony, among others. According to the company, it employs around 400 people in total at its Leipzig and Chemnitz sites.
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