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
HHPI Expands Its Fleet with a Euro9000 Locomotive for the First Time – Proven Partnership with ELP Reaches the Next Level
Erfurt / Frauenfeld, 14. August 2026 Heavy Haul Power International GmbH (HHPI) is expanding its existing fleet of EuroDual locomotives with a Euro9000 from European Loc Pool (ELP) for the first time. With this step, HHPI is complementing the proven strengths of the EuroDual, which have been demonstrated over many years, with additional electric power, multi-system capability and extended cross-border operating possibilities. The decision to introduce the Euro9000 represents a consistent evolution of HHPI’s existing fleet strategy. The EuroDual has established itself in daily operations as a reliable and powerful locomotive for heavy block train services. It combines high electric power with a powerful diesel engine, enabling flexible operations on both electrified and partially non-electrified routes. With the Euro9000, HHPI is expanding this successful operating concept with a hybrid multi-system electric locomotive specifically designed for demanding operations on Europe’s main corridors. With up to 9 megawatts of electric power, a combined diesel output of 1.9 megawatts and 500 kN of tractive effort, it provides the capabilities required to move heavy freight trains powerfully, efficiently and flexibly. “Our EuroDual locomotives have proven themselves over many years as a reliable backbone of our operations. Their performance, flexibility and high availability have made a significant contribution to our ability to handle demanding transport tasks safely and efficiently,” explains Lukas Dell, Authorised Representative of HHPI. “With the Euro9000, we are now taking the next logical step. It does not replace the EuroDual, but strategically complements our fleet with additional electric power and new opportunities for cross-border operations.” The Euro9000 opens up new possibilities for HHPI in heavy block train and cross-border operations. With 9 MW of electric power, multi-system capability and two diesel engines, it combines high performance on Europe’s main corridors with flexibility on non-electrified sections as well as in first- and last-mile operations. “We can rely on both the locomotives and the ELP team. Our cooperation is based on partnership, pragmatism and mutual respect,” says Dell. Willem Goosen, CEO of European Loc Pool, adds: “The expansion of HHPI’s successful EuroDual fleet with its first Euro9000 marks an important milestone in our long-standing partnership. We are proud to support HHPI in opening up new operational opportunities with innovative technology and a comprehensive full-service offering.” More about HHPI Heavy Haul Power International GmbH (HHPI) is one of Germany’s leading private railway undertakings. Founded in 1999, HHPI focuses on medium- and long-term projects involving the transport of bulk goods such as construction materials, as well as timber and wood products, and hazardous goods of all kinds. Together with its customers, HHPI develops tailor-made transport solutions designed to meet their specific requirements and characterised by high productivity, maximum reliability and state-of-the-art equipment. In addition to offering competitive freight rates, HHPI places equal importance on providing good working conditions for its employees and ensuring the sustainable development of the company as a whole. More about Hybrid Locomotives European Loc Pool AG focuses on innovative six-axle hybrid locomotives from Stadler, setting new standards in European rail freight transport. The EuroDual and Euro9000 locomotives combine electric operation with powerful diesel modules, enabling flexible deployment on both electrified and non-electrified sections as well as seamless last-mile and shunting operations. The Euro9000 is a modern hybrid multi-system locomotive designed for operation across Europe. It offers up to 500 kN of tractive effort, up to 9 MW of power in electric operation and 1.9 MW of diesel power. The Euro9000 platform is a further development of Stadler’s successful EuroDual and Euro4000 locomotive families. About European Loc Pool AG European Loc Pool AG is a leading provider of innovative locomotive leasing and maintenance services, headquartered in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. Its full-service leasing packages include modern six-axle hybrid locomotives that can be tailored to meet customers’ specific requirements. ELP is committed to sustainability and uses advanced technologies to reduce environmental impact while simultaneously improving operational performance. ELP’s experienced team places a strong emphasis on safety, reliability and cost efficiency in order to exceed customer expectations. For more information, please visit our Webseite or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. Press contakt ELP: Morena Di NardoMarketing & CommunicationsE-mail: morena.dinardo@europeanlocpool.com Contact HHPI:Lukas DellE-Mail: lukas.dell@hhpi.de
European Loc Pool in the press
