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
Rail Unit GmbH Relies on Flexibility – First EuroDual from ELP
Berlin / Frauenfeld, 24. October 2025 Rail Unit GmbH and European Loc Pool (ELP) have entered a new partnership. By signing a Full-Service Leasing agreement for a EuroDual locomotive, Rail Unit is expanding its fleet with a powerful hybrid locomotive, paving the way for greater flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability in Fail Freight transport. For Rail Unit GmbH, the versatility of the EuroDual was the decisive factor in their choice.“For us, the flexibility of the EuroDual plays a major and decisive role. Knowing that we are no longer dependent on third parties or need to change locomotives to operate on non-electrified lines or sidings is crucial for us. This allows us to meet our customers’ requirements at any time,” explains Ceyhun Celep, Managing Director of Rail Unit GmbH. The EuroDual combines an electric power output of up to 6.2 megawatts with a diesel power output of 2.8 megawatts and a tractive effort of 500 kilonewtons in both electric and diesel modes. This enables operation on both electrified and non-electrified lines without restrictions while reducing the need for additional locomotive changes.“If you want to act flexibly at any time to meet customer requirements, the EuroDual is almost without alternative. Knowing that you have a locomotive that is both a full-fledged electric and a full-fledged diesel locomotive is very reassuring and increases our anticipation for its deployment,” Celep adds. Rail Unit highly values its collaboration with European Loc Pool.“We can only express praise for our cooperation with ELP. It is very reassuring to have a reliable and trustworthy partner by our side.”ELP also expresses enthusiasm about welcoming a new customer.“With Rail Unit, we gain an innovative company that shares our values of flexibility, reliability, and sustainability. We are proud to support them in their growth with a EuroDual locomotive,” says Willem Goosen, CEO of European Loc Pool. The locomotive will enter service in September 2026 and will operate on all national routes in Germany. More about Rail Unit GmbH Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Berlin, Rail Unit GmbH provides comprehensive personnel services for the railway sector. As a future railway undertaking, Rail Unit offers highly qualified and rapidly deployable railway staff, including train drivers for freight and passenger transport, wagon inspectors, work train supervisors, shunting attendants, and instructors. With over 200 employees and more than 40 clients, Rail Unit operates throughout Germany. The company is characterised by high flexibility, short decision-making processes, and fair conditions. Its mission: to provide long-term added value to the railway sector through practical expertise and reliable support – by railway professionals, for railway professionals. More about the Hybrid Locomotives European Loc Pool focuses on innovative six-axle hybrid locomotives with up to 2.8 MW diesel power, 9 MW electric power, and 500 kN tractive effort. All locomotives are equipped as standard with ETCS Baseline 3 for operation on category 2 lines. The first ELP EuroDual locomotives have been in operation on the German rail network since April 2020. They enable operation on both electrified and non-electrified routes, as well as in last-mile and shunting service. All Dual locomotives are equipped with remote control. Since mid-2023, ELP’s second-generation hybrid multi-system locomotive, the Euro9000, has been operating across European corridors. As the “launch customer”, European Loc Pool ordered the first ten Euro9000 locomotives from Stadler in May 2019. The first version, with 1.9 MW diesel and 9 MW electric power output and 500 kN tractive effort, operates in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, and Switzerland. The locomotive’s operational area will subsequently expand to additional countries and corridors. About European Loc Pool AG European Loc Pool (ELP) is a leading provider of innovative locomotive leasing and maintenance solutions based in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. Its full-service leasing packages include modern six-axle hybrid locomotives tailored to customers’ specific needs. Since its foundation in May 2018, ELP has supported more than 30 operators across five countries. The company is committed to sustainability, applying advanced technologies to reduce environmental impact while improving operational performance. ELP’s experienced team places great emphasis on safety, reliability, and cost efficiency to exceed customer expectations. For more information, please visit our webseite or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. Pressekontakt ELP:Morena Di NardoMarketing & CommunicationsE-mail: morena.dinardo@europeanlocpool.com
European Loc Pool in the press
