Multiple German freight operators choose Stadler’s six axle Eurodual
STADLER has delivered multiple new ‘EuroDual’ six axle bi-mode locos to leasing company European Loc Pool (ELP) as well as directly to some freight operators.
The Stadler EuroDual design is a powerful six axle electrodiesel which utilises the 2,800kW Caterpillar C175-16 diesel engine (as used by UK Class 68, although the EuroDual uses the more modern Stage 3B version) in addition to offering 6150kW (power at wheel) as an electric loco. The 126 tonne locos have a starting tractive effort of 500kN (under both diesel and electric power) and a top speed of 120kph (although re-gearing for 160kph would be possible if required).
The three axle bogies are an improved form of those used under the Stadler Euro 4000 CoCo diesel design, using the same wheelsets as originally used for the UK Light/Class 68 and each bogie has three framemounted AC asynchronous traction motors. Stadler designs and builds the ‘EuroDual’ at its’ Albuixech factory near Valencia in Spain, where the UK Class 68/88 were built and future Class 93 locos will be constructed.
Several versions of the EuroDual are being built with the ‘standard’ loco offered by ELP to German customers being an AC (15kV and 25 kV) electric loco fitted with the diesel engine although the original prototype was an AC/DC dual voltage plus diesel machine; this is now used by VFLI in France. Turkish open access operator Körfez Ulaştırma has ordered seven 25kV AC / diesel locos for delivery in 2021. Körfez Ulaştırma will use the locos to operate 2,000 tonne oil trains in Turkey
ELP has a framework contract for up to 90 EuroDual locos and its orders have included some with special ‘winterisation’ for use in Scandinavia. Two locos delivered to Swedish freight operator Green Cargo have been in use in Sweden since November 2019. By February 22 of the first 30 ELP locos had been delivered and are in use with a variety of operators, both large and small. Some German freight operators have bought their own locos, some or all of which are now in use; HVLE has an order for 10 while SNCF subsidiary Captrain has four.
9,000kW electric too
ELP has also ordered 10 of a new very powerful six axle electric loco – designated the E9000 by Stadler.
The locos are also designed to have up to two small 950kW diesel engines to allow yard shunting or trip freight work. The first two of these quadri-voltage (1.5/3kV DC and 15/25kV AC) machines was sent from Stadler’s factory in Spain by sea to Bremen in Germany for testing at the Siemensowned Wildenrath test track in January.
The prototype locos belong to Stadler for now and construction of the production batch for ELP is planned for 2021-22. ELP has already announced it has leased five of the locos to Dutch operator Rail Force One (three locos) with the other two destined for German operator RTB Cargo.
When in service, by 2023, the locos are expected to be used for long distance freight from North Sea ports such as Rotterdam or Hamburg to Italy.