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
Neo Lox GmbH signs for two EuroDual locomotives – The beginning of a powerful partnership
Bottrop / Frauenfeld, 27 June 2025 Neo Lox GmbH is investing in forward-looking growth: with the signing of a long-term Full-Service Leasing agreement for two new EuroDual locomotives from European Loc Pool (ELP), the young Rail Freight operator from Bottrop is taking a significant step towards a promising and sustainable future. The decision was made deliberately in favor of ELP and the EuroDual, a locomotive that impresses with its flexibility, efficiency, and technical performance. “The exceptional flexibility of the EuroDual was a key factor in our decision,” explains Izzettin Kaya, Managing Director of Neo Lox GmbH. “We need locomotives that perform reliably both on electrified main lines and on non-electrified industrial tracks. The EuroDual allows us to do exactly that, without changing locomotives, and with maximum efficiency.”The locomotives enable continuous transport chains with greater predictability and reduced downtime, a key advantage, especially for Neo Lox’s diverse operations in classic Freight Transport and complex construction and project logistics. A particular benefit is the EuroDual’s dual-power system: the combination of electric and diesel engines allows different types of tracks to be served without interruption. “This significantly increases our operational flexibility while saving time and costs in deployment planning,” adds Kaya. Especially in demanding transport scenarios, such as the supply of construction sites with gravel, this technology proves itself in daily use.In addition, the dual-mode operation actively supports CO₂ reduction, offering Neo Lox the ability to provide its customers with a sustainable service. From ELP’s perspective as well, the EuroDual continues to gain relevance due to current developments in rail infrastructure construction. Emiel Knarren, Chief Commercial Officer at European Loc Pool, explains: “Rail construction logistics is booming, not least because DB InfraGo is currently awarding many projects. Particularly interesting is that increasingly the entire service is being tendered, not just the pure site logistics. This puts high-performance, hybrid locomotives like the EuroDual even more in the focus of private Rail Freight operators. Those who can flexibly and independently deliver complete services have a clear advantage.” With its Full-Service Leasing model, European Loc Pool provides not only powerful, state-of-the-art locomotives, but also takes care of the complete maintenance, servicing, and insurance throughout the entire leasing period.For Neo Lox, this means maximum availability, high planning reliability, and predictable cost structures, crucial factors in a dynamic logistics market. “The cooperation with ELP was professional, solution-oriented, and collaborative from the very beginning. We particularly appreciate the technical expertise, transparent communication, and reliable execution – this is extremely important in a growth-oriented environment like ours,” Kaya summarizes. About Neo LoxNeo Lox GmbH is a young, dynamic Rail Freight company based in Bottrop, Germany. Since its founding in 2024, Neo Lox has focused on flexible and project-oriented transport solutions in Rail Freight Logistics.The company handles transports for construction logistics, project logistics, and track construction operations – nationwide and with a growing network. Together with its customers, Neo Lox develops tailor-made concepts characterized by reliability, efficiency, and modern equipment.In addition to competitive transport solutions, Neo Lox places great value on a strong, committed team and a forward-looking, sustainable approach. About Hybrid LocomotivesEuropean Loc Pool specializes in innovative six-axle hybrid locomotives with a performance of up to 2.8 MW in diesel mode, 9 MW in electric mode, and a tractive effort of 500 kN. All locomotives come standard with ETCS Baseline 3 for operation on Category 2 lines. The first ELP EuroDual locomotives have been operating on the German rail network since April 2020. They enable seamless operation on electrified and non-electrified routes, including last-mile and shunting operations. All dual locomotives are equipped with remote-control capability. Starting in mid-2023, the second generation of ELP’s dual locomotives, the Euro9000, will be deployed across all European corridors as hybrid multi-system electric locomotives. European Loc Pool ordered the first ten Euro9000 locomotives from Stadler in May 2019 as the launch customer. The first version, with 1.9 MW diesel and 9 MW electric power at 500 kN tractive effort, will be used in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland, with subsequent expansion to additional countries and corridors. About European Loc Pool AGEuropean Loc Pool (ELP) is a leading provider of innovative locomotive leasing and maintenance services, based in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. Its full-service leasing packages feature state-of-the-art six-axle hybrid locomotives that can be customized to meet the specific needs of its customers. Since its founding in May 2018, ELP has served over 30 operators across five countries. ELP is committed to sustainability, employing advanced technologies to reduce environmental impact while enhancing operational performance. The experienced ELP team places a 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 ELPMorena Di NardoMarketing & CommunicationsEmail: morena.dinardo@europeanlocpool.com
European Loc Pool in the press
