New boost for rail: ELP brings innovative hybrid locomotives!

The European Loc Pool (ELP) has further expanded its portfolio of full-service leasing solutions for locomotives. Founded in 2018 and based in Frauenfeld, Switzerland, the company focuses on the hybrid locomotive industry and is aimed at railway operators and logistics companies in Europe. ELP has recently intensified its collaboration with rail operators, private operators and logistics providers from newer industries, such as Bahnonline reported.

The company's newest customers include the Rail Cargo Group (RCG), the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and the Peine-Salzgitter transport company (VPS). ELP actively supports decarbonization in rail freight transport and contributes to increasing the efficiency of raw material transport by relying in particular on six-axle hybrid locomotives.

Innovations in locomotive leasing

ELP's hybrid locomotives enable heavier and longer trains that can transport up to 40% higher payloads. This is achieved through the use of the EuroDual and Euro9000 locomotives, which can operate on both electrified and non-electrified routes. While the EuroDual locomotive offers a tractive force of 500 kN and an output of up to 2.8 MW (diesel) and 6.2 MW (electric), the Euro9000 allows up to 50% higher loading capacity at 500 kN tractive force and combines electrical power with diesel engines, such as Rail target reported.

The Euro9000 will be introduced from the second quarter of 2023 and is designed for use on European corridors. The first locomotives have received full approvals for Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium and Switzerland. ELP also plans to expand its operating area to include other countries and transport corridors in Europe.

In addition, evb Logistik has ordered a EuroDual locomotive, which was handed over in September. This locomotive will be used for timber and intermodal transport in Germany and possibly also in Austria. A second EuroDual locomotive, Zelos, will be handed over to evb later this month, underlining the logistics department's positive experience with the first locomotive.