Two EuroDuals from European Loc Pool: A Milestone for VPS in Sustainable Rail Freight Transport

European Loc Pool (ELP), a leading provider of innovative locomotive leasing services, is pleased to announce a new leasing agreement with Verkehrsbetriebe Peine-Salzgitter GmbH (VPS). This first agreement includes two EuroDual locomotives, marking a significant step for VPS towards increasing efficiency and sustainability in heavy rail freight transport. VPS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Salzgitter Group and its central logistics service provider.

Dr. Johannes Dreier, Managing Director of VPS, states: "The EuroDual offers a very good opportunity to improve the economic efficiency of our raw material transports for our customers while simultaneously reducing our CO₂ footprint. These locomotives will be mainly used in heavy raw material transports from our Hansaport in the Port of Hamburg and from the Eastern Harz region to Salzgitter for the integrated steel mill."
 
The exceptional capabilities of the EuroDual are at the heart of this new partnership. As a six-axle hybrid locomotive, it represents a significant innovation in European rail freight transport. With its tractive effort of 500 kN and performance capabilities of up to 2.8 MW in diesel mode and 6.2 MW in electric mode, the EuroDual offers up to 40% higher loading capacity compared to conventional models. This makes it the ideal choice for the demanding transport tasks of VPS, including the movement of heavy coal trains from Hamburg to Salzgitter and the transportation of lime from the Eastern Harz region.
 
"Sustainability, energy efficiency, and traction were decisive factors in our decision. The versatility of the EuroDual in electric and diesel operation allows us to utilize existing overhead lines for half of our routes, thereby significantly increasing our transport capacity and reducing the number of necessary trips. These improvements in our operation would not have been possible without the special capabilities of the EuroDual," Dr. Johannes Dreier adds.
 
Willem Goosen, CEO at European Loc Pool, comments on the partnership: "We are pleased to be able to accompany VPS on their journey towards more sustainable and efficient rail transport. Our EuroDual locomotives are not just means of transport; they are a testament to our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and environmental protection in the railway industry."
 
The EuroDual has already proven itself in Germany, Austria, and Scandinavia, and the approval processes in other European countries are underway. This partnership between ELP and VPS is evidence of the growing demand for sustainable and efficient solutions in the rail freight sector.
 
The two EuroDuals will be delivered later this year.

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.
 
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.