Europe’s most powerful
With up to around 12,000 horsepower (9,000kW) at the rail, Stadler’s EURO9000 is Europe’s most powerful locomotive. Not only that, the Co-Co’s modular design allows installation of up to three different onboard modes of propulsion (electric, diesel and/or batteries), as well as operation on either AC or DC lines.
Maximum speed is 120kph (75mph), the diesel provides 1,900kW (around 2,550hp) of power, and the locomotive can draw current at 25kV, 15kV (AC), and 3kV or 1.5kV (DC).
The primary purpose of having such high power available is enabling the single-heading of heavy trains, which results “in higher payload and lower traction costs”, says Stadler.
Intended for international use, the EURO9000’s ‘basic configuration’ covers it for Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland - with more countries intended to come. Debut customer (with an initial 30 units) is European Loc Pool, with the locomotives intended to be leased to various operators.
UK observers might notice a certain family resemblance with the Class 68 (or UKDual), a type developed from the EuroDual that was shown off at InnoTrans a decade ago. The Class 68, however, is a more modestly powered machine, developing under 4,000hp.