European Loc Pool and railCare celebrate the handover of the first Euro9000

European Loc Pool and railCare celebrate the handover of the first Euro9000

source: European Loc Pool (ELP)

Frauenfeld / Wangen b.O., Switzerland [17/06/2024]

European Loc Pool (ELP), a leading provider of innovative locomotive leasing services based in Switzerland, proudly announces the handover of the first of three Euro9000 locomotives to railCare AG. This handover marks the beginning of a promising partnership with railCare, a company of the COOP Group, specializing in comprehensive transport solutions for COOP and third-party customers in Switzerland. Late last year, railCare signed a long-term, 12-year full-service leasing contract for three Euro9000 locomotives with ELP.

The first Euro9000 was successfully tested and approved at the Stadler plant in Valencia in mid-May 2024. It was subsequently handed over to railCare in Braunschweig on June 11, 2024, during a ceremonial event. These powerful locomotives are the strongest of their kind on the market, offering railCare significant advantages in terms of traction, sustainability, and energy efficiency.

Philipp Wegmüller, CEO of railCare, highlights the outstanding features of the Euro9000: “The Euro9000 not only meets our requirements for state-of-the-art technology and high energy efficiency but also offers impressive traction. This locomotive enables us to significantly increase our transport volumes on the north-south corridors of the Lötschberg and Gotthard routes, thereby providing even better services to our customers.”

The Euro9000 locomotives will not only be used on the Lötschberg and Gotthard routes to increase volumes but also offer railCare maximum flexibility thanks to their last-mile capability, side running switch, and remote control. This flexibility is crucial for optimizing logistics solutions and contributes to increased productivity and efficiency.

Willem Goosen, CEO of European Loc Pool, emphasizes the significance of this handover: “The delivery of the first Euro9000 to railCare is a significant moment. We look forward to shaping the future of sustainable rail freight transport in Switzerland together with railCare and promoting innovative transport solutions. Moreover, the collaboration with railCare marks a significant milestone for European Loc Pool and simultaneously paves the way for an exciting new chapter: supplying the retail segment.” The next tests and approvals of the Euro9000 for railCare are already expected at the end of August, and the first Euro9000 will be in operation on Swiss routes immediately.

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 50% 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 late 2024. Euro9000

Euro9000 Locomotives | 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 on long-term contracts to more than 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