News and Insights

Business-Newsletter

Willem Goosen,
CEO
European Loc Pool

Dear partner,

As the year draws to a close, it invites us to pause for a moment and look back at what we have achieved together. 2025 was a year of momentum, milestones and forward-looking developments for ELP. With the successful commissioning of our 100th locomotive, we have not only crossed a symbolic milestone but also reaffirmed our commitment to making European Rail Freight more efficient, more modern and more sustainable.

This progress is only possible because we can rely on strong partnerships that drive us to improve every day. This includes not only our customers and suppliers, but also our social partners.

We are pleased to share that in 2026, we will enter a new partnership with the association Sportnetz Frauenfeld. The organisation supports sports clubs in the region in promoting young talents across various disciplines, aligned with our shared vision of a strong and future-oriented Next Generation.

While we look back on an intensive and successful year, we are also looking ahead. 2026 will offer new opportunities to further expand our locomotive fleet. With the EuroDual approvals in Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia, as well as the upcoming approval of the Euro9000 in Italy, we will open up new geographies once again.

Thank you for your trust, your collaboration and our continued partnership. On behalf of the entire ELP team, I wish you a Merry Christmas, a relaxing holiday season and a powerful start to the new year.

Enjoy the read!

Outlook

Outlook, new market openings in Italy and the Balkans

In the coming year, ELP is set to reach two decisive milestones that will significantly strengthen our European footprint.

The Euro9000 country approval for Italy is in its final phase and is expected in the first quarter of 2026. At the same time, the Balkan approval is progressing according to plan. Both approvals carry high strategic importance for us, as they will enable the deployment of our locomotives along two key growth axes of European Rail Freight.

With the Italian approval, new operational opportunities open up for our fleet on one of the most important north–south corridors. Italy plays a key role in international freight transport, particularly in connection with the Benelux region, Germany, and Switzerland. The unrestricted availability of our locomotives in this market will enhance the flexibility of our customers and increase efficiency in cross-border logistics chains.

At the same time, the upcoming Balkan approval marks another significant step forward. The Southeast European region is gaining relevance for logistics, trade, and industry, driven by growing infrastructure investments and increasing transport volumes. With this approval, we build the foundation to support our customers along these dynamically developing corridors. The ability to operate our locomotives seamlessly into the region opens new commercial opportunities and strengthens ELP’s market presence in an increasingly connected European economic area.

Both approvals reflect our ambition to continuously expand our fleet and to ensure maximum operational range and flexibility for our customers. They are essential building blocks for our growth and for the continued development of European rail freight.

Latest Updates

EuroDual for HHPI – Rail beats road

HHPI GmbH is relying on the EuroDual to deliver modern technology, maximum traction, and top-level energy efficiency, sending a strong signal for sustainable freight transport in Europe.
Read more

New Euro9000 for HSL – ready for maximum performance

HSL Logistik GmbH is expanding its fleet with another Euro9000 locomotive, already the fifth unit from European Loc Pool. A strong sign of trust, confidence, and ongoing partnership.
Read more

Rail Unit GmbH relies on flexibility with ELP’s EuroDual

«For us, the flexibility of the EuroDual plays a major and decisive role. It allows us to meet our customers’ needs at any time.»
Read more

DPB Rail Infra Service GmbH relies on performance with ELP’s EuroDual

«The flexibility of the EuroDual played a very important role in our decision. What was particularly decisive for us was the ability to operate a locomotive with high tractive power in both diesel and electric mode.»
Read more

Technology Update

We live ECM

Since its establishment, ELP has consistently committed itself to maintaining the highest standards in fleet maintenance. Our entire fleet, comprising three locomotive types, has been certified in accordance with the ECM system from the very beginning. In 2023, ELP itself additionally obtained certification as ECM 1 and ECM 2. This firm integration into the ECM framework not only ensures a robust process landscape, but also confirms that our internal structures, procedures and documentation fully meet the regulatory requirements of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) and are subject to regular audits. For our customers, this provides a clear assurance that all maintenance decisions are based on traceable, verified and professionally managed processes.

Over recent years, the ECM system has proven to be a significant advancement for the entire rail industry. It clearly defines maintenance responsibilities and ensures that safety, availability and quality are anchored in structured processes rather than left to chance. The systematic separation of roles and mandatory annual inspections reduce risks and ensure transparency in all technical procedures. The benefits for the industry are evident: fewer operational uncertainties, more efficient communication among stakeholders and a harmonised level of quality across operators. ELP actively contributes to upholding these standards by regularly auditing roles 3 and 4, thereby ensuring comprehensive compliance and consistent implementation.

To support transparency, we refer to the relevant certificates, which can be accessed via ERADIS.

Through this ongoing commitment, ELP reaffirms its responsibility to operate in full alignment with the highest safety and regulatory standards. Our customers can rely on every locomotive in our fleet being operated, maintained and monitored according to clearly defined, structured and fully auditable processes.

Corporate Social Responsibility

ESG commitments

With strong partners such as SwissSliding and the Sternschnuppe Foundation, we will continue to drive numerous projects forward in 2026. In doing so, we are continuously strengthening our role in the environmental and social domains.
Read more

Sternschnuppe & ELP Partnership

In November, a very special heartfelt wish came true for Luna.
Read more

ELP in Focus

With “ELP in Focus”, we are expanding our newsletter with a new section that showcases the community’s perspective on our locomotives. Starting with this issue, we will regularly present selected images that show our fleet in operation. Each edition features two photos. The aim of this section is to highlight how diverse and dynamic our locomotives operate across the European network, captured through the eyes of those who share our passion for traction.

Marco Sturla

2159.207-0 ELP-DB
Gemünden am Main (DE)

Thomas Wohlfarth

159-247-6 ELP-BBL
Wunstorf (DE)