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
LLOB GmbH opts for two Euro9000 locomotives from European Loc Pool
Powerful and flexible locomotives for seamless Rail Freight solutions in Switzerland and across borders to Germany, Italy, France and Austria. Frauenfeld/ Oftringen, 31. July 2026 LLOB GmbH is expanding its fleet with two state-of-the-art Euro9000 locomotives from European Loc Pool. Delivery of the two locomotives is scheduled for August 2026. With this step, LLOB is strategically expanding its own operational capacity and strengthening its position as an internationally active railway undertaking with strong roots in Switzerland.The Euro9000 locomotives will play a central role in the further development of LLOB’s transport concept. Their high performance and cross-border operational flexibility make it possible to efficiently operate heavy freight services across national borders and intelligently combine them with flexible last-mile solutions. This supports LLOB’s objectiveof providing seamless rail freight services from a single source while efficiently connecting all elements of the transport chain.“With the Euro9000, we are not simply investing in a locomotive, but in the next stage of LLOB’s development as an internationally active railway undertaking with strong roots in Switzerland,” explains Geanina Boll, Managing Director of LLOB GmbH. “Performance, flexibility, last-mile capability and cross-border deployment options are ideally suited to our strategy of making rail freight services more efficient, more sustainable and as seamless as possible from a single source. Based on the principle of ‘door-to-door by rail’, mainline operations, border crossings, last-mile services, shunting operations and other operational elements of the transport chain are to be intelligently connected.”Through its “door-to-door by rail” principle, LLOB aims to intelligently combine different types of transport and provide as many services as possible along the transport chain from a single source. Mainline operations, cross-border services, last-mile operations, shunting processes and the servicing of private sidings are to be integrated into seamless and flexible transport solutions.LLOB sees a growing need for flexible, innovative and economically viable end-to-end solutions, particularly within the Swiss rail freight market – ranging from single-wagonload transport and bundled transport concepts to high-performance block train services. Despite new regulatory conditions and funding instruments, the economic and operational organisation of the last mile remains challenging. With the Euro9000, LLOB is creating the necessary conditions to efficiently combine mainline and last-mile operations. The Euro9000 offers an electric power output of up to 9 MW and a high tractive effort of 500 kN. Thanks to its two diesel engines, it can also operate on non-electrified sections, private sidings, terminals and in shunting areas. This reduces the need for locomotive changes and enables cross-border transport operations to be organised more flexibly and efficiently.“We are delighted to welcome LLOB as a new customer of European Loc Pool,” says Willem Goosen, CEO of European Loc Pool. “The Euro9000 is the ideal locomotive for a transport concept that combines high-performance international mainline operations with flexible last-mile solutions. With its high electric power output, cross-border deployment capabilities and last-mile functionality, it provides LLOB with optimal support in implementing its growth strategy.”In addition to the locomotive’s technical performance, long-term cooperation is also an important element of the partnership. Through its comprehensive full-service leasing model, ELP supports its customers in ensuring the reliable and efficient operation of their locomotives throughout their entire service life.“With ELP, we have found a partner with whom we can work openly, pragmatically and on a long-term basis, in line with our motto: ‘Connected by Rail – Powered by Vision’,” adds Geanina Boll. “Together, we aim not only to operate existing services reliably, but also to develop new and innovative transport solutions that make rail freight simpler, more flexible, more cost-effective and more competitive for our customers – both within Switzerland and across national borders. Our ambition is to create new solutions where conventional concepts reach their limits and to sustainably shift more freight onto rail.”By adding the two Euro9000 locomotives to its fleet, LLOB is taking another important step towards becoming a sustainable, flexible and innovative railway undertaking. The locomotives will form a central component of seamless transport concepts that combine high-performance mainline operations, different traffic flows and last-mile services. About LLOB GmbHLLOB GmbH is a railway undertaking and rail services provider with strong roots in Switzerland and international operations throughout the DACHIF region – Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and France. LLOB develops flexible, innovative and sustainable rail freight solutions with the aim of organising and operating transport chains as seamlessly as possible from a single source.Its range of services extends from national and cross-border freight operations, single-wagonload, bundled transport and block train concepts to last-mile services, shunting operations, wagon inspections and other rail-related services. The portfolio is complemented by qualified railway personnel as well as services in the areas of safety, training and examinations.With its practical and flexible approach, LLOB combines high-performance mainline operations with regional and local solutions and develops new transport concepts together with customers and partners. One clear objective is at the heart of everything the company does: to make rail freight transport simpler, more flexible and more competitive, while sustainably shifting more freight onto rail. More About Hybrid LocomotivesEuropean Loc Pool AG focuses on innovative six-axle hybrid locomotives from Stadler, setting new standards in European rail freight transport. The EuroDual and Euro9000 locomotives combine electric operation with powerful diesel modules, enabling flexibledeployment on both electrified and non-electrified line sections as well as seamless last-mile and shunting operations.The Euro9000 is a modern hybrid multi-system locomotive designed for operation throughout Europe. It provides a tractive effort of up to 500 kN, an electric power output of up to 9 MW and 1.9 MW of diesel power. The Euro9000 platform is a further development of Stadler’s successful EuroDual and Euro4000 locomotive families. About European Loc Pool AGEuropean Loc Pool AG is a leading provider of innovative locomotive leasing and maintenance services, headquartered in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. Its full-service leasing packages include modern six-axle hybrid locomotives that can be tailored to the specific needs of its customers.ELP is committed to sustainability and uses advanced technologies to reduce environmental impact while simultaneously improving operational performance.ELP’s experienced team places great emphasis on safety, reliability and cost efficiency in order to exceed customer expectations.For more information, please visit our Webseite or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.Press contact ELP:Morena Di Nardo Marketing & Communications E-mail: morena.dinardo@europeanlocpool.com
European Loc Pool in the press
