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
Business-Newsletter
Dear Partner The new year has begun and it is already clear: 2026 will be a year full of momentum, new projects and important milestones for European Loc Pool. With a continuously growing locomotive fleet and new approvals for our EuroDual and Euro9000, we are opening up additional European corridors and strengthening our presence in international rail freight. In particular, the approvals achieved in Southeast Europe as well as the Italian approval of the Euro9000 create exciting new opportunities for our customers and partners. Another highlight this year will be our participation at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin, the world’s leading trade fair for transport technology. It provides an ideal platform to present innovations, deepen industry exchange and take a joint look at the future of European rail transport. Alongside technological progress and new markets, our partnerships remain a key pillar of our success. Together with our customers, suppliers and partners, we work every day to make rail freight transport more powerful, efficient and sustainable. We are looking forward to an exciting year and to continuing this journey together with you. We wish you an enjoyable read of this edition. Outlook New Market Openings in Italy and the Balkans For ELP, two key milestones have been successfully achieved, sustainably strengthening our European presence: the country approval of the Euro9000 for Italy and the approval for operations in the Balkan region have now been granted. Both developments are of high strategic importance, as they enable the deployment of our locomotives along two key growth corridors of European rail freight. With the Italian approval, new operational opportunities open up for our fleet on one of Europe’s most important north-south corridors. Italy plays a key role in international freight transport, particularly in connection with the Benelux region, Germany and Switzerland. The availability of our locomotives in this market enhances our customers’ flexibility and increases efficiency in cross-border transport chains. The approval in the Balkan region also marks a significant step forward. Southeast Europe is becoming increasingly important for logistics, trade and industry, not least due to growing infrastructure investments and rising transport volumes. With this approval, we are laying the foundation to support our customers along these dynamically growing corridors. The ability to operate our locomotives seamlessly into this region opens up new commercial opportunities and strengthens ELP’s market presence in an increasingly interconnected European economic area. Both approvals reflect our commitment to continuously developing our fleet and providing our customers with maximum operational reach and flexibility. They represent a key building block for our continued growth and the advancement of European Rail Freight. Latest Updates Off to the tracks The first Euro9000 strengthens the fleet of new customer Leonhard Weiss GmbH & Co. KG, presented in the fresh Leonhard Weiss design. For more information, click here First Euro9000 for RBP, the start of a strong partnership With RBP, European Loc Pool is pleased to welcome a new customer and is proud of the trust placed in us. For more information, click here When partnership becomes measurable – Additional EuroDual locomotives for HVLE Six EuroDuals in the fleet are no coincidence. They stand for shared goals, clear requirements and a common understanding of how modern rail freight must operate. For more information, click here Four EuroDuals, one shared mission Another EuroDual for BELog Baustoffe-Entsorgung-Logistik GmbH & Co. KG. This brings the total to four EuroDual locomotives for the company, a strong sign of trust, partnership and a shared vision. For more information, click here Technik Update HVO100, Renewable Fuel for the EuroDual Fleet Renewable fuels are not a new topic in the transport sector. However, they are gaining increasing importance when it comes to operating existing technologies more sustainably. This approach is also becoming more prominent in rail freight. One example is HVO100 (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil). It is a renewable diesel fuel produced from vegetable oils, animal fats or waste materials. Through a hydrotreating process, these raw materials are treated with hydrogen and converted into a paraffinic fuel that is chemically very similar to fossil diesel. For the EuroDual and Euro9000 locomotives of European Loc Pool, the use of HVO100 is generally possible. Engine manufacturer Caterpillar has approved its use for the diesel engine types C175 and C32 installed in these locomotives, provided that the fuel complies with the EN 15940 standard. The use of HVO100 can help make the diesel share of rail operations more climate-friendly. Depending on the origin of the raw materials, CO₂ emissions across the entire lifecycle can be significantly reduced. At the same time, emissions of hydrocarbons, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides can also be lowered. Its application is flexible: HVO100 can be used as a 100% fuel, blended with Diesel B7, or mixed in any ratio with Biodiesel B100. When using pure HVO100, a slight reduction in engine performance of around five percent may occur due to its lower fuel density. This clearly shows that even in diesel operation, new opportunities are emerging to make rail freight more environmentally friendly. Corporate Social Responsibility ESG-Commitments With strong partners such as Swiss Sliding and Sportnetz Frauenfeld, we will continue to drive numerous projects forward in 2026, further strengthening our role in the environmental and social sectors. For more information, click here ELP presents the Next Generation Award for the first timeWith the ELP Next Generation Award, we recognize clubs from Sportnetz Frauenfeld that are particularly committed to supporting and developing young people. For more information, click here Olympic goosebumps in Cortina Team spirit that inspires!As a proud sponsor of Swiss Sliding, we were there and followed the exciting competitions closely. For more information, click here ELP in Focus In this section, the community’s perspective on our locomotives comes to life. Starting with this edition, we will regularly present selected images showcasing our fleet in operation. Each issue will feature two photos. The section highlights how diverse and dynamic our locomotives are across the European network, captured from the perspective of those who share our passion for traction. Martin – 2019 318-ELP-Raildox, Kerzell (DE) Patrick Wimmer – 159 231 ELP-EVB, Burgkunstadt (DE)
European Loc Pool in the press
