Hybrid locomotives for more efficient and ecological rail transport on strategic corridors
VTG Rail Logistics Germany with railways undertaker subsidiary Retrack and European Loc Pool (ELP) have signed a first long-term full-service leasing contract for up to four EuroDual locomotives, which will be operated on selected strategic corridors served by Retrack. The hybrid EuroDual locomotive with an output of 2.8 MW in diesel mode and 6 MW in electric mode is ideally suited for use in heavy freight train service. The high tractive force in combination with the optimised energy consumption translates to a high increase in performance and efficiency for VTG Logistics/Retrack. The new locomotives can pull up to 30 percent more tonnage than the existing electric and diesel locomotives that are in use on the main Retrack corridors. The hybrid mode also makes it possible to reduce CO2 emissions. Thus, the EuroDual locomotives offer not only considerable economic and logistical, but also ecological advantages. “We look forward to the delivery and use of the new EuroDual on our Europe-wide rail transport. With the first six-axle hybrid locomotives, we can offer our customers an even more powerful range as well as the latest technological standards in rail logistics,” says Remco van Staaijeren, Managing Director of Retrack.
In addition, the ability to operate heavy freight trains independently over diesel routes and in the shunting area (first and last miles) is becoming increasingly important for Retrack customers – not least because the freight trains are currently being extended to up to 740 metres.
The first locomotives will be delivered to Retrack in the first quarter of 2021. Both companies look forward to a long-term, partnership-based cooperation to offer innovative, efficient and environmentally conscious freight logistics on the rails in the future.