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The future is now. How will the DB Fernverkehr ICE L trains reach their final destination when there is no overhead wiring? Like this:
This article was originally published on 04.03.2026 and updated on 06.03.2026: Picture added
Today, Martin Priebs caught ELL > DB Fernverkehr 248 506 with a ICE L set on the Marschbahn as train 89270 near St. Michaelisdonn. This run follows one day after Deutsche Bahn combined Vectron Dual Mode with ICE L between Berlin and Hannover.
Also, since the third week of January 2026, these class 248 locomotives are being tested on the Marschbahn line between Itzehoe and Westerland (Sylt) often seen together with IC1 coaches:
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In September 2022, Siemens and Deutsche Bahn officially announced their plan for 21 Vectrons Dual Mode locomotives, 248 501-521. Between January and September 2026, all 21 will be delivered in six batches.
- To pull ICE-L trains to Westerland (Sylt) and Oberstdorf, end stations with no overhead wires.
- They are rescue locomotives for high-speed trains, e.g. for the Wendlingen-Ulm high-speed line.
- It needs a locomotive with ‘an unrestricted operational capability on the German railway network’.
In December there was a change of plan: DB Fernverkehr decided to sell all 21 machines to lease company ELL and hire them back. DB will accept each locomotive from Siemens and immediately transfer ownership to ELL, without placing the units into service. ELL will assume full maintenance responsibility for the eight-year term, including transfers to and from service depots. The contract runs until 31 October 2034.
The specs of the new DB Fernverkehr locomotives:
- Top speed: 160 km/h
- Power rating in E-operation: approx. 2,400 kW
- Power rating in DE-operation: approx. 2,030 kW (without load on the train busbar);
- Electrical braking power at the wheel (max): E-operation: 2,100 kW / DE-operation: 1,700 kW;
- Train power supply (max): 480 kVA;
- Total mass (max): 90 t;
- Train protection systems: PZB, ETCS, and the WTB-ÖBB train bus system (including wagon communication).
