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
HHPI Signs for 9th EuroDual from ELP – Powerful Partnership Continues
Erfurt / Frauenfeld, 30 April 2025 Heavy Haul Power International GmbH (HHPI) and European Loc Pool (ELP) arecontinuing their long-standing partnership. With the signing of a new leasing agreementfor another EuroDual locomotive, HHPI’s fleet will grow to a total of nine powerfulmachines from ELP. This marks another consistent step for a company that has focusedon strength, efficiency, and reliability in rail freight transport since its founding. Where HHPI once relied on heavy diesel locomotives like the Class 66, today the companyprioritizes efficiency and flexibility, consistently shifting its transport operations to a moresustainable rail-based model. The EuroDual locomotive has established itself as anindispensable backbone for HHPI’s block train operations. Its unique combination of up to6.2 megawatts of electric power and 2.8 megawatts of diesel power for non-electrifiedsections enables a tractive effort of 500 kilonewtons in both electric and diesel modes,allowing the company to move even the heaviest loads efficiently and flexibly. HHPI offersblock train solutions in which locomotive and wagon sets operate as a fixed system. TheEuroDual fits seamlessly into this concept, creating independence from additionalshunting or route locomotives. “The EuroDual impresses us every day. Its performance both across the network and onmain corridors is outstanding and gives us operational security. At the same time, itsupports our strategy of largely phasing out pure diesel operations in the future,” explainsThomas Schöfbauer, Managing Director of HHPI. “With this ninth locomotive, we arepreparing for further growth and the increasing demands of our customers.” The EuroDuals are primarily used by HHPI on key heavy freight corridors in Germany andbeyond. Thanks to their high tractive power and operational versatility, HHPI can alsohandle demanding logistics tasks on partially electrified routes without compromising oneconomic efficiency. This capability is made possible by the dual drive – a true uniqueselling point in the market. “Tractive power, sustainability, and energy efficiency are not separate factors for us, butclosely intertwined. For us, the EuroDual stands as a synonym for these values. Itsflexibility is the decisive building block for a sustainable logistics model,” Schöfbauer adds.“The decision for another locomotive was easy because we know the reliability and qualityfrom years of experience.” Thanks to European Loc Pool’s full-service leasing model, HHPI not only gains access tocutting-edge technology but also benefits from a comprehensive service package. Allmaintenance and servicing activities are fully covered, allowing HHPI to focus entirely onits core business. The collaboration is characterized by trust, technical expertise, and ashared commitment to innovation. “We know what we have in ELP. The locomotives fully meet our requirements, and thecollaboration is always on an equal footing. This is exactly how modern leasing shouldwork,” Schöfbauer summarizes. Willem Goosen, CEO of European Loc Pool, is pleased with the continued trust: “HHPIwas one of our first customers and remains a close partner to this day. Their decision toopt for another EuroDual underlines the long-term success of our collaboration. We lookforward to achieving many more milestones together.” With the addition of its ninth EuroDual, HHPI once again proves that it is one of the pacesetters in heavy rail freight. The combination of technical excellence, a clear strategy, andstrong partnerships makes the company a role model for modern rail freight logistics inEurope. The locomotive will be delivered to HHPI in September this year. More About HHPIHeavy Haul Power International GmbH (HHPI) is one of the leading private rail freightoperators in Germany. Founded in 1999, HHPI focuses on medium- and long-termprojects for the transportation of bulk goods such as construction materials, wood andwood products, as well as all kinds of hazardous goods. Together with its customers, HHPIdevelops tailored transport solutions that stand out for their productivity, highest reliability,and the use of state-of-the-art equipment. HHPI not only offers attractive freight rates forits customers but also places great emphasis on providing good working conditions for itsemployees and maintaining a sustainable overall corporate direction. More About the Hybrid LocomotivesEuropean Loc Pool specializes in innovative six-axle hybrid locomotives with up to 2.8MW diesel power, 9 MW electric power, and 500 kN tractive effort.All vehicles are equipped as standard with ETCS Baseline 3 for operation on category 2tracks. The first ELP EuroDual locomotives have been operating on the German railnetwork since April 2020. They enable operations on both electrified and non-electrifiedtracks as well as last-mile and shunting operations. All dual locomotives are equipped withremote-control systems.From mid-2023, the second generation of ELP’s dual locomotives, the Euro9000, hasbeen deployed as a hybrid multisystem electric locomotive across all European corridors.As a launch customer, European Loc Pool ordered the first ten Euro9000 locomotivesfrom Stadler in May 2019. The first version, with 1.9 MW diesel power and 9 MW electricpower with 500 kN tractive effort, is being used in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands,Italy, Belgium, and Switzerland. Subsequently, the area of operation for the locomotivewill be expanded to additional countries and corridors. About European Loc Pool AGEuropean Loc Pool (ELP) is a leading provider of innovative leasing and maintenanceservices for locomotives, headquartered in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. The full-serviceleasing packages include modern six-axle hybrid locomotives that can be tailored tocustomers’ specific needs. Since its founding in May 2018, ELP has served over 30operators in five countries.ELP is committed to sustainability, employing advanced technologies to reduceenvironmental impact while enhancing operational performance. The experienced ELPteam places great value on safety, reliability, and cost efficiency, aiming to exceedcustomer expectations.Press Contact ELPMorena Di NardoMarketing & CommunicationsEmail: morena.dinardo@europeanlocpool.com
European Loc Pool in the press
