Ostdeutsche Eisenbahn GmbH (ODEG) has ordered 23 Desiro HC regional trains from Siemens for service on the Elbe-Spree network.

The order is worth around 300 million euros, and the multiple-unit trains are planned to be used on the regional lines RE1, RE8 and RB17 in the new Elbe-Spree network.

ODEG was awarded the contract to operate these lines in January, following a Europe-wide tender by Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB).

The contract includes the option to expand the capacity of the RE1 trains when the station platforms along this line are extended.

Delivery of the 21 six-car and two four-car trains is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2022; the start of operations is planned for December 2022. The trains will be built at the Siemens plant in Krefeld, Germany.

Sabrina Soussan, CEO of Siemens Mobility (www.siemens.com), said: “Siemens was founded in Berlin, and the city is still home to one of our company’s two headquarters. Given this background, we have very close and traditional ties with the Berlin-Brandenburg region.

"Our Mobility business alone employs around 1,100 people in the capital. Many of these colleagues commute daily to work from the surrounding region and will be able to use Siemens trains as of 2022.”

The six-car Desiro trains will be used on the regional express line RE1, connecting Magdeburg with Cottbus via Berlin and Frankfurt.

The four-car Desiros are planned for service on the RE8 line connecting Wismar and Wittenberge with Baruth and Elsterwerda/Finsterwalde via Berlin, as well as on the RB17 line that connects Wismar and Ludwigslust.