Bombardier Transportation celebrated a high profile launch at InnoTrans, the world's largest rail transportation trade fair in Berlin on 20 September 2006: the presentation of the first diesel-electric locomotive in the successful TRAXX family of products. By developing the new P 160 DE version, Bombardier has reached an unchallenged position among its competitors. With this ultra modern locomotive, the TRAXX platform is complete – the popular family of Bombadier locomotives with AC, DC and multi-system models in which 25 customers all over the world have put their trust.

Wolfgang Toelsner, Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Transportation, said: "This new diesel-electric locomotive makes us the only manufacturer on the world market to offer a complete family of locomotives. No matter which locomotive a customer may need in the future, we will be able to supply them with one from a uniform range of products."

Edmund Schlummer, President, Locomotives, Bombardier Transportation, added: "Our platform will create valuable synergies. With the use of many common components the manufacturing, maintenance and operating costs can be lowered. The savings of time and money provide our customers with a real advantage in a highly competitive market."

In 2005 the Lower Saxony local passenger transport company, LVNG, ordered a total of eleven TRAXX P160 DE locomotives. They will be delivered in late 2007 and go into service to pull Bombardier double-deck coaches. The leasing company CB Rail also has ordered ten TRAXX DE Locomotives – the F 140 version. Thus, there are now orders placed both for passenger and freight train operation.

Behind the TRAXX platform is the entire locomotive family with identical crash-proof locomotive bodies and machine compartment dimensions, brakes, bogies, traction motors, three-phase AC traction, push/pull bars, driver's cabs and driver's control desks as well as communication, diagnosis and train protection systems. The TRAXX DE, which only weighs 82 tons and produces 2.2 MW power, shares up to 75 per cent of common parts with the electric locomotives of the same platform. Bombardier has designed the TRAXX DE for freight and passenger transport. It is also equipped for the interoperable European train protection system ETCS.

Bombardier Transportation has its global headquarters in Berlin, Germany with a presence in over 60 countries. It has an installed base of approximately 97,000 vehicles worldwide. The company offers the broadest product portfolio and is recognized as the leader in the global rail sector.