New TRAXXes for SNCB in Belgium

In the spring, the first four Class 17 locomotives gradually arrived in Belgium. These TRAXXes have a top speed of 200 km/h, and SNCB has firmly ordered 24 ones under a framework contract for 50 machines.

All four TRAXXes were initially present at the VUZ Velim, from last October locomotives 1701 and 1702 and later also 1703 and 1704. On 9 March 2025, locomotive 1701 arrived at the SNCB depot in Schaerbeek, followed on 7 April by 1702. The latter‘s transport is shown in the photos taken near Langdorp. On 14 May 2025, locomotives 1703 and 1704 were also moved to Belgium, together with Vectron 193 899. It is equipped with the ETCS OBU of the Trainguard 200 OBU type from Siemens and is used for testing this ATP.

Both transports in April and May were provided by HSL Logistik/HSL Belgium with locomotive 193 041, which HSL Belgium has on lease from Beacon Rail Capital Europe. BRCE's own corporate color combination is represented by a yellow logo on a blue background. BRCE also has many locomotives in its fleet with a black bodyshell, which originally came from the MRCE pool taken over in 2023, the transaction being completed at the end of September 2023.

The Vectron pictured here is an anomaly resulting from the fact that BRCE is taking back several machines originally ordered by DB Cargo. In the end, DB Cargo only took 193 033 - 040 from the order in question in 2023 - 2024, while BRCE will acquire 193 041 - 050, delivered from this spring, but the first of them are still in DB Cargo red.

The SNCB‘s new Class 17 TRAXXes will now undergo further testing phases, with deliveries and entry into regular service expected in 2026. In late July/early August, 1703 did some test runs between Ath and the high speed base at Le Coucou (Silly), followed by testing between Saint Ghislain and Doornik.