Stadler to supply ten EURODUAL locomotives for HVLE in Germany

The Spanish Division of Stadler and German rail freight operator Havelländische Eisenbahn (HVLE), have announced today a purchase agreement for the supply of ten six-axle EURODUAL locomotives in German configuration.

HVLE and Stadler have signed a contract for the manufacturing and delivery of ten six-axle EURODUAL locomotives and a corresponding full service maintenance agreement. The powerful locomotives will be used in freight transport services in the German network combining both 15kV AC and 25 kV AC electric and diesel operating modes. On the financing side, DAL Deutsche Anlagen-Leasing accompanies the transaction with a tailor-made, asset-based leasing structure. The Rail specialist, headquartered in Mainz, has also taken over the arranging and funding with funds from the German Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe.

HVLE becomes the launch customer of the new generation of six-axle bi-mode locomotives developed by Stadler for the European market. Iñigo Parra, CEO Stadler Rail Valencia, emphasized the importance of the project and the advantages of the new platform: “This contract is an important milestone for Stadler as the first order of the new locomotive family. With its avant-garde technology, the EURODUAL locomotive covers every need in an efficient and reliable way offering rail operators numerous economic and ecological benefits.”

For Ludolf Kerkeling (HVLE) the conditions in the rail freight market will change: “The demand for six-axle locomotives will grow because of the increasing length and weight of trains.” Martin Wischner (HVLE) added: “We need diesel power for the first/last mile but the environmental and economic advantages of electric power are very important for us.”

Stadler’s EURODUAL is a bi-mode locomotive with impressive performance, both in diesel and in electrical mode, available in different configurations, gauges and overhead voltages. The modular platform also offers a wide range of different power in diesel mode to adequately meet individual customers’ needs. The versatile locomotive platform is designed for freight and passenger mainline applications, at speeds of up to 160 km/h, on electrified and non-electrified lines.

Stadler, well-known rolling stock manufacturer including freight locomotives for the European market, is currently supplying four-axle bi-mode locomotives Class 88 to British operator Direct Rail Services and performing first tests of the six-axle EURODUAL prototype in its Spanish plant.

About HVLE

HVLE was founded in 1892 and currently is one of the ten biggest rail freight companies on the German market. All areas of rail freight services are covered but there is a special expertise in heavy duty (bulk freight) as well as with dangerous goods and specialized types of transport. Today HVLE operates a fleet of 35 locomotives.

About Stadler

Stadler has been building trains for 75 years. The system provider of rail vehicle construction solutions is headquartered in Bussnang in Eastern Switzerland, and has a workforce of over 7000 based in various locations across Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, Belarus, Algeria and the United States. Stadler provides a comprehensive range of products in the heavy and urban transport segments: High-speed trains, intercity trains, regional and commuter rail trains, underground trains, tram trains and trams. Furthermore, Stadler also manufactures main-line locomotives, shunting locomotives and passenger carriages, including the most powerful diesel-electric locomotive in Europe. Stadler remains the world’s leading manufacturer in the rack-and-pinion rail vehicle industry.