Press & Media
Shaping the Future of Rail Freight: European Loc Pool expands its versatile portfolio
Frauenfeld [10/01/2025] European Loc Pool (ELP), a leading provider of innovative locomotive full-service leasing solutions, continues to expand its reach with incumbents, private operators and “shippers” in new industrial segments. While ELP has long been a trusted partner for rail operators in Europe, an increasing number of state-owned operators now rely on its versatile six-axle hybrid locomotives. This growth underlines the broad appeal of ELP’s value proposition which is tailored to meet the challenging demands of modern rail logistics. Recent additions to ELP’s customer base, such as Rail Cargo Group (RCG), the freight division of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), and Verkehrsbetriebe Peine-Salzgitter (VPS), the “inhouse” rail freight operators of Salzgitter AG, a dominant producer in Germany’s steel industry, highlight the growing reliance on ELP’s versatile locomotive solutions across different sectors. ELP’s EuroDual for Verkehrsbetriebe Peine-Salzgitter (VPS) Dr. Johannes Dreier, Managing Director of VPS, emphasized the importance of the new locomotives: “The handover of our new EuroDual hybrid locomotives marks another milestone in our activities to decarbonize rail freight transport and the Salzgitter Group’s logistics chain. In this way, we are supporting the transformation of our Group’s internal customers and improving the efficiency of our raw material transports thanks to the increased loading capacity.” These partnerships join a growing list of customers, including Green Cargo, MEG, DB Cargo, and CargoNet. ELP’s commitment to serving diverse industries – including intermodal, construction, heavy dry and wet bulk goods, automotive, timber, retail, and now steel – continues to drive its success. Driving sustainability and efficiency ELP’s hybrid locomotives stand out for their ability to handle heavier and longer trains with a single unit, offering up to 40% higher payloads while reducing traction costs. Their hybrid capabilities ensure seamless traction across electrified and non-electrified lines, providing significant flexibility for first- and last-mile operations. For RCG, the EuroDual’s hybrid capabilities are a game changer. “The EuroDuals provide us with the necessary flexibility and efficiency to respond to rising costs and challenges in first- and last-mile operations,” explained Cenk Seringölge, Geschäftsführer von Rail Cargo Logistics – Germany. “Their hybrid capability enables seamless operation, significantly enhancing our competitiveness and allowing us to deliver tailored logistics solutions.” ELP’s EuroDual for Rail Cargo Group “Our locomotives combine sustainability with unmatched operational efficiency, making them a natural choice for both private, public operators and “blue-chip-shippers”. This growing diversity in our customer base showcases the versatility and reliability of our leasing solutions,” said Willem Goosen, CEO of European Loc Pool. “Our ability to adapt to different industries and operational needs, from national railways to specialized industrial players and private operators, sets us apart. We are proud to support our customers in optimizing their logistics while advancing sustainability,” Goosen added. With its proven full-service leasing model, ELP continues to empower public and private rail operators to meet the challenges of modern freight transport head-on, while driving future innovation in sustainable rail solutions. More about Hybrid Locomotives European Loc Pool (ELP) focuses on innovative six-axle hybrid locomotives from Stadler, thereby setting new standards in European rail freight transport. The EuroDual and Euro9000 locomotives revolutionize European Rail Freight with their combination of electric and diesel operation, also enabling seamless last-mile and shunting operations. The EuroDual, as a forerunner in the portfolio of European Loc Pool, is a game-changer in rail freight. With its tractive effort of 500 kN and a performance of up to 2.8 MW in diesel and 6.2 MW in electric operation, it offers up to 40% higher loading capacity. The EuroDual is already successfully in operation in Germany, Austria, France, and Scandinavia and was recently approved in Serbia. Slovenia and Croatia will follow in the first quarter of 2024. EuroDual Locomotive | European Loc Pool The Euro9000, the ‘next generation’ locomotive, stands for peak performance in the European rail industry. With a tractive effort of 500 kN and a performance of up to 1.9 MW in diesel and 9 MW in electric operation, it enables up to 40% higher loading capacity. As a hybrid multi-system electric locomotive, the Euro9000 expands the geographical deployment and efficiency on the European Rail Network. In addition to the advantages in last-mile- and shunting operations, the Euro9000 distinguishes itself on 3kV DC tracks with a special capability: it features a ‘boost’ capability, enabling it to combine its electric power with the diesel engines, leading to an impressive total performance of 7.7MW at the wheels. As the ‘launching customer’, European Loc Pool ordered the first ten Euro9000 locomotives from Stadler already in May 2019, and since mid-2023, the ‘next generation’ locomotive has been operating in Europe. The Euro9000 is approved in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Italy will follow in 2024. Euro9000 Locomotive | European Loc Pool About European Loc Pool AG European Loc Pool (ELP) is a leading provider of innovative leasing and services for locomotives, based in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. ELP’s full-service leasing package includes preventative and corrective maintenance (including major overhauls), covered with corresponding availability and reliability guarantees. Additionally, ELP offers locomotive driver training and an innovative insurance package tailored to modern, six-axle hybrid locomotives. Since its establishment in May 2018, ELP has ordered 124 locomotives, of which over 100 have been leased, and has already serviced over 30 operators in 6 countries. The vision of ELP is to positively disrupt the European Rail Freight Industry. The experienced team at ELP places great emphasis on safety, reliability, cost-efficiency, and sustainability to exceed customer expectations. For further information, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube. Press contact European Loc Pool: Henrike Wilkens Marketing & Communications E-mail: Henrike.Wilkens@europeanlocpool.com
Next Generation on the rails and in sports clubs
ELP awards the first Next Generation Prize to Rock Academy Frauenfeld Frauenfeld, 04 March 2026 With the Next Generation Prize, European Loc Pool specifically recognises clubs within the Sportnetz Frauenfeld association that invest sustainably in young people and actively shape the future of youth sports. The prize will be awarded four times a year. Applications are submitted in the form of a video in which clubs demonstrate how they promote youth coaches and involve young people in leadership roles at an early stage. A joint jury consisting of representatives from ELP and Sportnetz Frauenfeld evaluates the submissions and selects the winning clubs. The first award goes to Rock Academy Frauenfeld, which impressed the jury with its consistent implementation of the 1418 Coach Programme. The programme enables young people to take on responsibility at an early age and gain their first experience as coaches and team leaders. Through the targeted development of these young trainers, Rock Academy ensures that qualified leaders grow from within its own ranks, strengthening the club’s long term future. During a ceremonial presentation on site, representatives from ELP and Sportnetz Frauenfeld honoured the club’s commitment. The Managing Director of Rock Academy, Dimitri Isenring, emphasised: “Our club depends on young coaches. It is important for us to train and support them. With the prize money we can continue to follow this philosophy and strengthen the next generation in a targeted way.” Hanu Fehr, President of Sportnetz Frauenfeld, also highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative: “If we want clubs to remain vibrant in the future, we must invest in young people today. The cooperation with ELP allows us to focus precisely where the future is created.” For ELP, this regional engagement is a conscious decision. CEO Willem Goosen explains: “As a company, we stand for performance, responsibility and future readiness. With the Next Generation Prize, we deliberately invest in young people who take responsibility and shape the sport of tomorrow. Supporting the next generation is not just a slogan for us, it is a mindset.” The name of the prize has been chosen deliberately. With its state of the art Euro9000 multisystem locomotive, ELP represents the next generation in European rail freight transport. The Euro9000 combines performance, efficiency and future readiness on the rails. As a company based in Frauenfeld, ELP is proud to actively support the region with this initiative and to make a sustainable contribution to local club life. ELP wishes Rock Academy Frauenfeld every success and great enjoyment in continuing its commitment to youth development. About European Loc Pool AG European Loc Pool (ELP) is a leading provider of innovative locomotive leasing and maintenance services headquartered in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. The Full Service leasing packages include modern six axle hybrid locomotives that can be tailored to the specific needs of customers. Since its founding in May 2018, ELP has served more than 33 operators across five countries. ELP is committed to sustainability and deploys advanced technologies to reduce environmental impact while improving operational performance. The experienced ELP team places great emphasis on safety, reliability and cost efficiency to exceed customer expectations. For further information, please visit our webseite or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. We are very much looking forward to our collaboration with Sportnetz Frauenfeld and are proud that the Next Generation Prize allows us to make a concrete contribution to youth development in the canton of Thurgau. Press Contact ELP:Morena Di NardoMarketing & CommunicationsE-mail: morena.dinardo@europeanlocpool.com
European Loc Pool in the press
