Rock Rail, Siemens to Deliver 61 Battery-Powered Trains for Northern Westphalia

The Zweckverband Nahverkehr Westfalen-Lippe (NWL) has placed an order for 61 Mireo Plus B battery-powered trains from Siemens Mobility for operation on the Northern Westphalia Network (NNW) starting in December 2029. The vehicles will be financed and provided through a long-term leasing model by Rock Rail NnW GmbH & Co. KG, marking a major modernization step for regional rail transport in North Rhine-Westphalia.

The project represents the largest fleet renewal in the region’s regional passenger rail services and will establish the second-largest battery-electric multiple unit (BEMU) fleet in Germany. The initiative supports NWL’s long-term mobility transition strategy, particularly for routes with partial or no overhead line electrification.

Rock Rail CEO Mark Swindell highlighted the role of alternative financing models in accelerating sustainable transport deployment, noting that the leasing approach enables faster adoption of climate-friendly rail technology while supporting long-term fleet availability.

Siemens Mobility CEO Michael Peter emphasized that the order reinforces Siemens’ leadership in alternative propulsion systems, stating that the Mireo Plus B trains will contribute significantly to decarbonizing rail transport in Westphalia while improving passenger comfort.

According to NWL Managing Director Christiane Auffermann, battery-powered trains are especially well suited for rural regions such as Westphalia-Lippe, where they can bridge non-electrified sections of track in a locally emission-free manner. With the introduction of the 61 vehicles, NWL will operate Germany’s second-largest BEMU fleet, setting new sustainability benchmarks in regional transport.

The two-car Mireo Plus B trains charge their batteries on electrified lines and operate on stored energy on non-electrified sections. Intelligent energy management systems enable locally emission-free operation, reduced noise levels, and high energy efficiency, including regenerative braking that feeds energy back into the batteries.

Designed for passenger comfort and operational efficiency, each 25-meter-long train features four doors per side for fast boarding and alighting, space for two wheelchair users and 18 bicycles, Wi-Fi connectivity, power outlets, USB charging ports, comfort lighting, and step-free access. Sustainable material selection and a recyclability rate exceeding 90% further support the environmental objectives of the project.

With an annual service volume of approximately 7.1 million train kilometres and a planned operating period of at least 15 years, the deployment of the Mireo Plus B fleet represents a long-term investment in sustainable mobility, modern rail services, and future-ready regional transport infrastructure.

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