DB Cargo has announced the completion of the retrofitting of its entire fleet of Class 77 diesel locomotives with the LEADER driver assistance system, a digital tool designed to reduce fuel consumption and increase operational efficiency in rail freight transport.
According to the company, all 60 locomotives in this series were equipped with the new technology in just four months, by the end of March 2026.
The goal is to reduce fuel consumption by approximately 4–5%, which would represent a significant step toward more efficient and sustainable freight train operations.
“The fact that the implementation succeeded at such a rapid pace was primarily due to the pragmatic and action-oriented mindset of the project team, which closely coordinated the development, production, and installation phases,” said Philipp Nowak, senior project manager.
Assistance system for more economical driving
LEADER, short for Locomotive Engineer Assist Display & Event Recorder, is a system that provides engineers with real-time recommendations for the most energy-efficient driving possible. It uses data on the route, the train’s position, and the operating mode to calculate optimal driving profiles.
The goal is to avoid unnecessary energy consumption, increase efficiency, and improve operational transparency. DB Cargo notes that the system has been in use since 2016 on electric locomotives, where it has already been validated in operation and enjoys a high level of acceptance among engineers.
At the end of 2025, the solution was also recognized as “dena Good Practice 2025”, an award given for best practices in the field of energy efficiency.
Technology Tested on Diesel Locomotives
DB Cargo reports that the solution already in use in electric traction has been adapted for the Class 77 diesel locomotives. Tests conducted confirmed as early as the initial phase that the system can be used safely and reliably on this type of rolling stock as well.
The company claims that the expansion of LEADER to the diesel fleet represents a new step toward improving energy efficiency across the entire traction fleet.
Among the advantages mentioned by the operator are:
- reduced energy consumption and more efficient use of resources;
- real-time assistance for drivers, to promote economical driving;
- calculation of optimal driving profiles based on route, position, and operational data;
- development of the system in cooperation with Knorr-Bremse SfS GmbH.
In-house developed technical solution
A unique aspect of the project was the development of the necessary support for the LEADER system display. Because driver’s cabs differ from one locomotive series to another, a customized solution was required.
The prototype was developed by the project team together with the vehicle maintenance department, and the final design was realized by employees at the maintenance depot in Saarbrücken, who then produced the mounts in series.
Installation directly on the track, not in the workshop
DB Cargo emphasizes that the installation strategy was also unusual. Instead of sending the locomotives to the workshop, the project team went directly to the parked vehicles and carried out on-site installation.
This approach reduced downtime and significantly accelerated implementation. During peak periods, installation was carried out on up to 25 locomotives in just two days, with the support of the maintenance depots in Nuremberg and Oberhausen and the teams on the Nuremberg-Munich route.
“In the end, it took us less than eight minutes per cab to professionally install the LEADER system and its mounting bracket,” said Jörg Schneider, Head of Sustainability and IMS.
Digitalization with Direct Impact on Operations
By fully equipping its Series 77 diesel fleet, DB Cargo aims to demonstrate that digitalization in rail freight transport can be implemented quickly, pragmatically, and in close alignment with current operations.
For the operator, the result means measurable fuel savings, greater operational efficiency, and a new step toward more sustainable rail freight transport.
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