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
Interview with Cenk Seringölge and Roman Reinhold from Rail Cargo Group about the EuroDual Locomotives and the Partnership with ELP
Frauenfeld / Frankfurt, 10.07.2025 European Loc Pool (ELP) is known for innovative leasing solutions in rail freight transport. At the heart of this is close collaboration with customers and the joint development of strategic approaches. In a conversation with Cenk Seringölge, Managing Director of Rail Cargo Logistics Germany GmbH and Roman Reinhold, Team Coordinator for Block Train Dispatching & TransFLEX at Rail Cargo Group (RCG), the discussion focused on their experiences with the EuroDual locomotives and the future of the partnership with ELP. 1. What has your experience with the EuroDual been like in daily operations? The EuroDual is now fully integrated into RCG’s operations and is used extensively. “The locomotive delivers exactly the performance we need for our TransFLEX product,” says Roman Reinhold. Its operational flexibility is particularly valued. “With the EuroDual, we can operate both electrically- and on diesel. That enables continuous transports without interruptions. A real advantage for our operations in Germany,” adds Cenk Seringölge. The locomotive is also well received by drivers. “The EuroDual stands for maximum precision, modern design, and technical excellence,” says Seringölge. “It’s especially appealing to the younger generation, which is a real plus. And for our company, it’s an important asset in the competition for skilled workers.” 2. What benefits do you see in using the EuroDual in your industry? The decision to go with the EuroDual was a clear investment in the future. “We expect that infrastructure in Germany will not significantly improve in the medium term. That’s why we need vehicles that can be used flexibly,” explains Cenk Seringölge. The EuroDual is tailored precisely to these requirements and fits perfectly into the German market. The strategy is long-term. “We deliberately invested in a locomotive that will still fit our fleet five or ten years from now. The combination of performance, flexibility, and modern technology makes it a key element of our fleet strategy,” Reinhold adds. The concept is also gaining interest within the international group. “We were the first in the Rail Cargo Group to work with this locomotive. Now other countries are looking closely at our experiences,” says Seringölge. 3. How would you describe your collaboration with ELP? The partnership with ELP is characterized by trust and foresight. “We work closely and in a solution-oriented way. When we make a strategic decision, ELP is involved early on,” emphasizes Cenk Seringölge. The support goes beyond classic leasing. “The full-service model relieves us operationally and gives us room to focus on our core business.” The partnership is also designed for the future. “We’re not just talking about the here and now. We plan together what our fleet will look like in five years. And ELP is a reliable partner that understands our requirements very well,” says Reinhold. For RCG, it’s clear: the EuroDual was the right choice. “We now have three machines in operation and can well imagine adding more,” says Cenk Seringölge. “The complete package of technology, service, and partnership is convincing.” 3. What do you value about your collaboration with ELP? The partnership with ELP is characterized by trust and foresight. “We work closely and in a solution-oriented way. When we make a strategic decision, ELP is involved early on,” emphasizes Cenk Seringölge. The support goes beyond classic leasing. “The full-service model relieves us operationally and gives us room to focus on our core business.” The partnership is also designed for the future. “We’re not just talking about the here and now. We plan together what our fleet will look like in five years. And ELP is a reliable partner that understands our requirements very well,” says Reinhold. For RCG, it’s clear: the EuroDual was the right choice. “We now have three machines in operation and can well imagine adding more,” says Cenk Seringölge. “The complete package of technology, service, and partnership is convincing.” 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 are revolutionizing European rail freight with their combination of electric and diesel operation, enabling smooth last-mile and shunting operations. The EuroDual, as a flagship product in European Loc Pool’s portfolio, is a gamechanger in rail freight transport. With a tractive effort of 500 kN and power output of up to 2.8 MW in diesel and 6.2 MW in electric mode, it offers up to 40% higher payload capacity. The EuroDual is already in successful operation in Germany, Austria, France, and Scandinavia and was recently approved in Serbia. Slovenia and Croatia will follow in 2025. EuroDualLokomotive | European Loc Pool About European Loc Pool AG European Loc Pool (ELP) is a leading provider of innovative locomotive leasing and services, headquartered in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. ELP’s full-service leasing package includes preventive and corrective maintenance (including overhauls), covered by corresponding availability and reliability guarantees. Additionally, ELP offers driver training and an innovative insurance package tailored to modern six-axle hybrid locomotives. Since its founding in May 2018, ELP has ordered 124 locomotives, leased over 100 of them, and served more than 30 operators in six countries. ELP’s vision is to positively disrupt the European rail freight sector. The experienced team at ELP places great emphasis on safety, reliability, cost-efficiency, and sustainability to exceed customer expectations. For more information, please visit our webseite or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram or YouTube. Press Contact European Loc Pool: Morena Di Nardomorena.dinardo@europeanlocpool.com+41 52 723 36 23
European Loc Pool in the press
