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
ARS Altmann AG opts for ELP’s Euro9000
New partnership for efficient and seamless freight transport across the Brenner Pass Wolnzach / Frauenfeld, October 2026 European Loc Pool (ELP) and ARS Altmann AG are entering into a new partnership. With the signing of a contract for two Euro9000 locomotives, ARS Altmann AG is adding this powerful six-axle hybrid locomotive type to its fleet, thereby increasing flexibility and efficiency in cross-border rail freight transport. A key factor in choosing the Euro9000 is the ability to operate long-distance services with just one locomotive. Thanks to its combination of electric operation and diesel modules, the Euro9000 can be used on both electrified and non-electrified sections. At the same time, it provides the power required for demanding freight operations across the Brenner Pass. “Three factors were decisive for us. The Euro9000 operates both electrically and on diesel, so we are not dependent on the overhead line. It is approved in all the countries in which we operate our trains. And it has enough power to haul our trains over the Brenner Pass on its own. Particularly important is the 3 kV Diesel Boost Mode, in which the diesel engines increase the traction power to almost 8 MW while running under the overhead line. This improves our efficiency and punctuality,” says Matthias Prochazka, Managing Director of Altmann Rail Traction. The Euro9000 offers up to 9 MW of electric power and a starting tractive effort of up to 500 kN. Two diesel engines with a combined output of around 1.9 MW provide additional flexibility on non-electrified sections as well as for shunting and last-mile operations. For ARS Altmann AG, one of the key advantages is the ability to reduce or even eliminate locomotive changes along the route. This removes time-consuming operational interfaces and allows services to be planned and operated more seamlessly. At the same time, this places greater demands on the technical availability of the locomotive in service. Accordingly, alongside the performance of the Euro9000, ELP’s full-service leasing concept also plays a central role in the new partnership. Comprehensive service and maintenance solutions, together with a workshop network along relevant transport corridors, are designed to ensure high locomotive availability throughout operations. “ELP is there when we need them, and the team is hands-on. In addition, there is a workshop network that covers our routes. That is crucial for us: a locomotive is only as good as the service behind it,” adds Matthias Prochazka. “We are very pleased to welcome ARS Altmann AG as a new partner at ELP. The requirements of cross-border operations on demanding corridors such as the Brenner Pass show exactly what the Euro9000 was developed for: high performance, flexibility and the ability to operate services as seamlessly as possible with a single locomotive. Together with our full-service concept, we aim to support ARS Altmann AG in making optimal use of these advantages in day-to-day operations,” says Willem Goosen, CEO of European Loc Pool. About ARS Altmann AG ARS Altmann AG is a Europe-wide service provider in automotive logistics. Founded in 1975, the forwarding and logistics company is headquartered in Wolnzach, Bavaria, and operates 25 locations in Germany, Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic and Romania, covering a total area of more than 5 million m². ARS Altmann AG employs around 1,000 people and transports vehicles for commercial customers, including manufacturers, dealers, fleet operators and mobility service providers, using, among other assets, 850 specialised trucks and a rail fleet of more than 4,000 railway wagons specifically designed for vehicle transport. The company’s sites also offer a range of vehicle-related services, including PDI and Smart Repair. 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 use on electrified and non-electrified sections as well as seamless last-mile and shunting operations. The Euro9000 is a modern hybrid multisystem locomotive for operation across Europe. It offers tractive effort of up to 500 kN, power of up to 9 MW 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 customers’ specific requirements. ELP is committed to sustainability and uses advanced technologies to reduce environmental impact while improving operational performance. ELP’s experienced team places a strong focus on safety, reliability and cost efficiency in order to exceed customer expectations. For more information, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. Press contact ELP: Morena Di NardoMarketing & CommunicationsE-mail: morena.dinardo@europeanlocpool.com Press contact ARS Altmann:Korbinian KallederContent & Communication ManagerE-mail: korbinian.kalleder@ars-altmann.de
European Loc Pool in the press
