News and Insights
More efficient and environmentally friendly: NRS orders additional EuroDual locomotive from ELP
Frauenfeld / Lübeck, October, 13, 2023
European Loc Pool (ELP), a leading provider of innovative locomotive leasing services, proudly announces the signing of a contract for a EuroDual locomotive with Nordic Rail Service GmbH (NRS). NRS will thus add the second locomotive of this type to its fleet, having already gained experience with its own EuroDual locomotive.
As emphasized by Jörg Ullrich, Managing Director of Nordic Rail Services GmbH: “A crucial factor is the exceptional load capacity of the EuroDual locomotive and its ability to efficiently handle the so-called ‘first and last mile.’ This is of great significance as we often operate on non-electrified routes at unloading points and branch lines where the use of electric locomotives is not feasible. The EuroDual locomotive enables us to navigate these routes efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner.”
Nordic Rail Service GmbH (NRS) is a part of the Lübecker Hafen-Gesellschaft (LHG) corporate group. NRS’s decision to lease the second EuroDual locomotive is the outcome of a meticulous evaluation process. The EuroDual locomotive offers significant advantages for bulk goods transportation, particularly in terms of its performance and reliability.
According to NRS, the EuroDual locomotive offers significant advantages compared to 6-axle diesel locomotives. 6-axle diesel locomotives are more demanding in terms of maintenance due to their diesel engines, whereas the EuroDual additionally provides a diesel-electric concept that is not only more reliable but also more powerful and faster in acceleration. This is crucial for increasing efficiency. Furthermore, operators like NRS benefit from lower
operating costs and reduced environmental impact since they can operate more frequently under overhead lines.
The EuroDual locomotive is utilized on various routes in the northern German region, particularly for transporting construction materials. It is used to load materials from quarries and unload them at asphalt plants and transshipment points in non-electrified areas.
“Nordic Rail Service has established a reputation in the heavy freight train transport sector, particularly with its numerous construction material shipments. The company has years of experience in using 6-axle locomotives and is excited to fully transition to the EuroDual as the successor to its pure diesel heavy-duty locomotives,” says Emiel Knarren, Sales Manager at ELP.
Jörg Ullrich is pleased with the collaboration with ELP: “We especially value the comprehensive service package that ensures we can focus on the locomotive’s operation. The short delivery time also played a crucial role in our decision to choose ELP.”
The delivery of the next EuroDual locomotive to NRS is already scheduled for this month.
More about the hybrid locomotives
European Loc Pool focuses on innovative six-axle hybrid locomotives with a power output of up to 2.8 MW diesel, 9 MW electric and a traction capacity of 500 kN. As standard, all vehicles are equipped with ETCS Baseline 3 for Level 2 operations. The first ELP EuroDual locomotives have been in service on the German rail network since April 2020. They enable operation on electrified and non-electrified lines as well as load-mile and shunting operations. All dual locomotives are equipped with radio remote control.
From mid-2023, the second generation of ELP’s dual locomotives, the Euro9000, were put into service as a hybrid multi-system electric locomotive designed for use in all European corridors. As the “launching customer,” European Loc Pool ordered the first ten Euro9000 locomotives from Stadler in May 2019. The first version with 1.9 MW of diesel and 9 MW of electric power at 500 kN tractive effort will be used in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, and Switzerland. Subsequently, the locomotive’s area of operation will be expanded to other countries and corridors.
About European Loc Pool AG
European Loc Pool (ELP) is a young, innovative leasing company for locomotives and was founded in May 2018. The company is headquartered in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. ELP ordered the first EuroDual locomotives in the third quarter of 2018 Since then, ELP has signed a framework agreement with Stadler for 100 Co’Co’ hybrid locomotives. From this agreement, 85 locomotives have already been leased under long-term full-service contracts with more than 30 operators in six countries. ELP targets rail operators and logistics companies across Europe and focuses on new innovative six-axle hybrid locomotives. ELP’s full-service leasing includes a comprehensive maintenance and insurance offer as well as the possibility to customise the exterior of the locomotives.
ELP is committed to sustainability and utilise advanced technology to reduce their environmental impact while improving operational performance. ELP’s experienced team of professionals prioritises safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness to exceed customer expectations.
For more information, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Press contact European Loc Pool:
Henrike Wilkens
Marketing & Communications
E-mail: henrike.wilkens@europeanlocpool.com
About Nordic Rail Service GmbH
The Nordic Rail Service GmbH (NRS) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lübeck Port Authority (LHG). This railway service company (EVU) has been in operation since 2003 and is engaged in the areas of railway transportation, wagon workshop, and track and signal construction. With its own shunting locomotives, NRS handles “the last mile” operations on a weekly basis for various intermodal operators, bulk goods transport companies, and car transport companies in the Lübeck area.
Furthermore, NRS is active in the northern German region in the bulk goods sector and offers transportation services from the factory. The company is certified according to ECM and VPI standards and currently employs 50 staff members.
Press contact NRS / LHG:
Natscha Blumenthal
natascha.blumenthal@lhg.com