A selection of current news on the VUZ circuit

Among the plethora of new vehicles at VUZ Velim test centre, the Talgo VI has now appeared, representing the trio of units that are/will be provided to Leo Express by Renfe. The rake 6B16 arrived in Velim on 12 August and has already started testing.

On 6 August 2025, one of a total of eight four-car Škoda units for the Sofia metro appeared at Velim. Also on test is there, for example, the latest nightjet for ÖBB (No. 018) running with the locomotive 248 500, which serves as a test locomotive for the order of dual-power Vectrons of the Class 248 for the hauling of DB‘s Talgo NMUs on non-electrified lines.

We asked Siemens: Is the purpose of the combination of locomotive 248 500 and the latest nightjets to test the communication of this DB locomotive with the Talgo 230 (ICE L) rake? Or is it expected that the ÖBB nightjet and railjets will also be hauled by Vectron DMs? Is this an ÖBB requirement?

Siemens replied: “As part of our ongoing quality and safety measures, we are currently carrying out general tests on our locomotives and driving trailers. These tests are not based on specific customer requirements, but serve the general goal of ensuring the interoperability of our products.”