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
RBP marks its 10th company anniversary with the Euro9000: Powerful, flexible locomotive convinces in ELP’s leasing model
Siegburg/Frauenfeld, December 2025 European Loc Pool (ELP) is a pioneer in providing Full-Service Leasing solutions for the Rail Freight sector. Close dialogue with our customers and their feedback is extremely important to us. RBP Rheinische Bahnpersonal- und Verkehrsgesellschaft GmbH has expanded its fleet with a Euro9000 locomotive. According to Managing Director Thomas Schön, the decisive factors were the locomotive’s broad range of applications and the combination of electric and diesel operation. “The locomotive can operate both electrically and in diesel mode. This enables us to offer services that are tailored precisely to our customers’ needs,” explains Schön. At the same time, RBP is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025 – the introduction of the Euro9000 is therefore also a deliberately chosen anniversary gift to itself, highlighting the company’s ongoing development. With regard to current infrastructure limitations in Germany, RBP particularly highlights the powerful diesel module. Tractive effort and cross border capabilities were also decisive. “This combination convinced us,” Schön states. Schön assesses the cooperation with ELP positively. Since RBP does not operate its own ECM or workshops, the Full-Service contract is essential. “That is why a Full-Service contract is crucial for us,” he says. The clearly defined maintenance structures provide planning security. How the partnership will develop in the long term is something Schön prefers to evaluate later: “Ask me again in a year.” About RPB GmbH Rheinische Bahnpersonal- und Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (RBP), based in Siegburg, is an established railway undertaking with a focus on freight transport, including hazardous goods. Safety and reliability are at the core of its operations. The company employs around 50 staff, including more than 35 experienced locomotive drivers who can be deployed in both freight and passenger services. As a certified training and examination centre, RBP actively supports the development of new railway professionals and contributes to building a qualified workforce. Since its founding in 2015, RBP has been managed by railway experts with deep industry knowledge. Clear structures, flat hierarchies and short decision making paths characterize the company’s approach. As a family run business, RBP stands for reliability, passion and longstanding experience — qualities that have established the company as a key player in the German rail services market far beyond the Rhineland. 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 transforming rail logistics with their combination of electric and diesel power, and enable smooth last mile and shunting operations. The Euro9000 is the latest hybrid multi system locomotive for pan European operations. It delivers a tractive effort of up to 500 kN, with 1.9 MW of diesel power and up to 9 MW in electric mode. The Euro9000 platform is an evolution of the successful EuroDual and Euro4000 locomotive families from Stadler. About European Loc Pool AG European Loc Pool is a leading provider of innovative locomotive leasing and maintenance services based in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. Its full service leasing packages include modern six axle hybrid locomotives tailored to the specific needs of customers. Since its founding in May 2018, ELP has supported over 33 operators in five countries. ELP is committed to sustainability, implementing 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. Presse contact ELP:Morena Di NardoMarketing & CommunicationsE-mail: morena.dinardo@europeanlocpool.com
European Loc Pool in the press
