Sixfold on Swiss tracks
Hybrid loco approved for freight operations. The Euro 9000 locomotive was recently approved in Switzerland, following on from the EU’s Agency for Railways giving it the green signal in March. The leasing services provider European Loc Pool sees this as an important step in its geographical expansion.
The company European Loc Pool (ELP) ordered its first ten Euro 9000 locomotives from Stadler Rail in May 2019. The provider of leasing and maintenance services for railway engines, headquartered in Frauenfeld (Switzerland), is pleased with its partnership with Stadler Valencia as well as with Stadler Bussnang, which has enabled it to announce approval of the Euro 9000 locomotive in ELP’s home market.
The authorisation became effective after the EU’s Agency for Railways gave its type approval and endorsed deploying it in markets in various European countries.
It has thus been on the tracks in Germany and Austria since summer. Approval is also expected from Belgium and the Netherlands in the coming weeks, as well as in Italy next year. ELP CEO Willem Goosen pointed out that “we’re proud to have initiated this move and will continue to drive change with our partners. We’re convinced these locos will fundamentally change railfreight transport in Europe.”
The enterprise has said that this six-axle locomotive represents “cutting-edge technology for the European rail industry.” It provides up to 50% more tractive force and power – 1.9 MW in diesel operations and as much as 9 MW under the overhead line – when compared to other conventional four-axle units.