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
Euro9000 in Daily Operation, HSL Logistik Draws a Clear Conclusion
Frauenfeld, 25. November 2025 In a conversation with Michael Steinhäuser, Fleet Manager Europe at HSL Logistik, we gained insights into the daily operational experience with the Euro9000 from European Loc Pool ELP. The locomotive has been part of the fleet since 2023 and demonstrates in international freight transport how modern multisystem technology makes operations more stable, more efficient and more predictable. Steinhäuser has accompanied the introduction of the Euro9000 from the very beginning and is responsible for its deployment across the European network. His assessments from day to day operations illustrate that the Euro9000 offers a strategic advantage, which is particularly noticeable in heavy freight transport. The Euro9000 shows its strengths especially where traditional concepts reach their limits, long, heavy trains, multiple system transitions, dense traffic. HSL uses it on international routes between Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland. In these scenarios, the locomotive delivers consistently high performance, even on demanding gradients. The combination of 9000 kilowatts of traction power and 500 kilonewtons of starting tractive effort ensures stable pulling force and smooth slip control. This results in fewer interventions by dispatching teams and more reliable schedule adherence. A key advantage is the significant reduction in locomotive changes. The Euro9000 combines multisystem capability with last mile flexibility, simplifying transport chains. Border crossings without interruption, especially on north, south corridors, deliveries on non electrified industrial sidings without additional diesel locomotives as well as shunting operations in terminals and stations without overhead lines are among the tangible advantages in daily operations. The result is more stable processes and a significantly higher punctuality rate. The Euro9000 uses recuperation and consistent speed profiles efficiently. Energy consumption and idle times decrease measurably. At the same time, many supporting processes that previously required time and resources are eliminated, such as shunting movements or reserve deployments. Drivers describe the locomotive as “power under control”. The driver’s cab is ergonomically designed, assistance systems support complex driving situations and visibility is considered significantly improved. Crucial above all is the predictability of driving behaviour under heavy load, a decisive factor in heavy freight operations. The Euro9000 shows a high degree of predictability in maintenance performance. Longer, condition based intervals result in fewer unplanned workshop visits, an important factor for a company operating 24,7 across the European network. HSL emphasises that cooperation with European Loc Pool is characterised by direct, efficient and solution oriented coordination. The introduction of the locomotive, training and ECM relevant processes were closely supported and implemented reliably. The experience of HSL Logistik shows that the Euro9000 convinces far beyond pure performance data. It simplifies operations, increases punctuality and expands deployment possibilities in international freight transport. For companies relying on heavy, cross border traffic, the Euro9000 offers an operational advantage and is an example of how modern ELP technology sustainably strengthens freight transport. 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. Press Contact ELP:Morena Di NardoMarketing & CommunicationsE-mail: morena.dinardo@europeanlocpool.com
European Loc Pool in the press
