Wheel arrangement Co'Co', gauge 1000 mm, mass 81 t, length 19180 mm, width 2820 mm including mirrors, height 3945 mm, bogie distance 10300 mm, axle distance in bogie 1650 mm, wheel diameter 1016 mm, maximum speed 120 km/h, diesel engine MTU 12V 4000 R41, power 1500 kW, rotational speed 600 to 1800 per minute, tractive effort 260 kN at departure, 234 kN constantly at 19 km/h, electric braking force 150 kN, operational temperature range +5°C to +55°C. 20 units were delivered from 2006.
The other modern locomotive is the Chinese designed D19E which is partly assembled in the Gia Lam workshops in Vietnam (80 locomotives are ordered/delivered); it seems that for further orders the Chinese design is currently favoured (does the same job, but cheaper than Siemens?) The D19E and D20E are currently the most modern and powerful locomotives in Vietnam (though compared to what would be possible on standard gauge, they are only medium power). The track and signalling systems don't allow any speeds higher than 120 km/h and it seems that most sections are much slower.
InnoTrans September 2006, Berlin.