News and Insights
European Loc Pool receives approval for the Balkan region
New operational opportunities along key freight corridors in Southeast Europe
Frauenfeld, April 13, 2026
European Loc Pool (ELP) has reached another important milestone: the EuroDual locomotives have received approval for operation in the Balkan region.
This includes successful homologations in Croatia and Slovenia, following Serbia, which was already approved in 2023. With this, ELP expands the geographical availability of its fleet and creates new opportunities for cross-border Rail Freight transport in Southeast Europe.
The approval covers key countries along major corridors between Northern and Central Europe and the Balkans. This region is becoming increasingly important for industry, logistics, and international trade. In particular, the corridor connecting the Adriatic region, between Koper and Jesenice (via Ljubljana), via Maribor, as well as Rijeka and Zagreb, with Central European industrial hubs is developing into a strategic backbone for freight transport.
With the newly obtained approvals, ELP locomotives can now be deployed flexibly on these routes, both on electrified and non-electrified lines.
The EuroDual locomotive combines electric and diesel traction in one platform and is specifically designed for demanding freight operations. With its high tractive effort and the ability to operate reliably without overhead lines, it is particularly well suited for countries and routes with mixed infrastructure, as commonly found in the Balkan region.
With 6.2 MW of electric power and a 2.8 MW diesel engine, the EuroDual enables seamless operations without locomotive changes at electrification boundaries and/or on last-mile sections. Especially in Southeast Europe, where such transitions are frequent, this results in significant efficiency gains and reduced idle times.
At the same time, the EuroDual contributes to the sustainable transformation of freight transport: higher hauling capacities reduce the number of required trips, while modern propulsion technology, including a Stage V-compliant diesel engine and the possibility to use HVO fuels, significantly lowers emissions. On electrified routes, regenerative braking additionally supports energy efficiency.
“With the approval in the Balkan region, we are opening up another strategically important market for our customers,” says Willem Goosen, CEO of European Loc Pool.
“Flexibility is key, especially on international corridors. Our locomotives enable seamless transport without locomotive changes, contributing to more efficient and stable transport chains.”
Successful operations and test runs in Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia have already demonstrated that the EuroDual reliably delivers its performance under real operating conditions, including on steep gradients and along demanding corridors.
With this step, ELP strengthens its position as a pan-European leasing provider for modern locomotives and reinforces its commitment to supporting customers along the most important freight corridors. Further approvals in Southeast Europe are already in preparation to continuously expand the operational reach of the EuroDual towards Turkey.
More about hybrid locomotives
European Loc Pool (ELP) focuses on innovative six-axle hybrid locomotives from Stadler, setting new standards in European rail freight transport. The EuroDual and Euro9000 locomotives combine electric and diesel operation, enabling seamless last-mile and shunting operations.
The Euro9000 is the new hybrid multi-system locomotive designed for pan-European use. It offers tractive effort of up to 500 kN, with 1.9 MW diesel power and up to 9 MW electric power. The Euro9000 platform is a further development of the successful EuroDual and Euro4000 locomotive families from Stadler.
About European Loc Pool AG
European Loc Pool (ELP) is a leading provider of innovative leasing and maintenance services for locomotives, headquartered in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. Its full-service leasing packages include modern six-axle hybrid locomotives tailored to specific customer needs. Since its founding in May 2018, ELP has supported over 37 operators across five countries.
ELP is committed to sustainability and leverages advanced technologies to reduce environmental impact while improving operational performance. The experienced ELP team places strong 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.
Press contact:
Morena Di Nardo
Marketing & Communications
E-mail: morena.dinardo@europeanlocpool.com