Stadler Rail Valencia has bagged a first order for EURODUAL locomotives. German rail freight operator Havelländische Eisenbahn (HVLE) has awarded Stadler a contract for the supply of ten six-axle EURO DUAL locomotives for use in Germany. The locos combine 15kV and 25kV electric with diesel power. Ludolf Kerkeling of HVLE comments: “The demand for six-axle locomotives will grow because of the increasing length and weight of trains.” Martin Wischner of 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.”

The deal includes a full service maintenance agreement and is financed by Deutsche Anlagen-Leasing with a tailor-made, asset-based leasing structure. With the order, HVLE becomes the launch customer of the new generation of six-axle bi-mode locomotives developed by Stadler for the European market. The EURO DUAL is available in different configurations and for different gauges and voltage systems. Designed as a highly modular platform, it can be equipped with diesel engines of various power ratings to meet the requirements of individual customers. Furthermore, the EURO DUAL is suitable for both passenger and freight applications at speeds up to 160 km/h.

In 2017, Stadler Rail Valencia wants to release its first dual mode locomotive for the continental European market. It will be the first locomotive design to be completed since the former Vossloh-factory was taken over by the Swiss company.

During InnoTrans 2016, a model was on display showing the locomotive design: a six-axle electric/diesel electroc locomotive with a topspeed of 160 km/u. Maximum duration power: 7 MW (electric) and 3 MW (diesel). The starting traction effort can be as much as 500 kN. The machine will feature AC traction motors and IGBT convertors. It is possible to order the locomotive as AC, DC or multisystem locomotive. Narrow gauge, normal gauge, wide gauge, all options are open, of course.

A first prototype locomotive for Europe is already under construction. We will follow this closely of course. Under the responsibility of the factory's previous owner, Vossloh, the site already created two other dual mode locomotive type, about which you can explore more here:

- The UKDual for Direct Rail Services (UK)
- The Afri/PrasaDual for Prasa (SA)

Bussnang, 4 November 2015 – Stadler Rail AG is to take over the Valencia-based locomotive business Rail Vehicles from Vossloh. The Spanish locomotive manufacturer has an annual turnover of more than EUR 200 million and employs approximately 850 people at its headquarters in Valencia. The purchase agreement was signed in Zurich yesterday, on Tuesday, 3 November 2015. Besides providing Stadler Rail with a foothold in the new market segment of diesel-electric locomotives, the takeover will offer the chance to tap into new, Spanish-speaking markets. Rail Vehicles has also built up a strong position in recent years in the areas of LRV, trams and metro vehicles.

The transaction is subject to the approval from the regulatory authorities. With the sale scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, the parties aim to execute the transaction in the first quarter of 2016. The transaction will take effect retroactively as of 1 July 2015. The takeover price is EUR 48 million.

New locomotive segment and Spanish-speaking markets
With the takeover of Rail Vehicles, Stadler Rail will enter a new locomotive market segment, inheriting an experienced workforce and a fully developed product portfolio.

Rail Vehicles is based in Valencia, where it develops and produces innovative diesel-electric locomotives such as the EURO 4000 – the most powerful diesel-electric locomotive in Europe. In addition, the company also develops and produces innovative metro trains, trams and Train-Trams at its headquarters in Valencia, and has established a strong market position in these areas. Rail Vehicles posted an annual turnover of EUR 223.2 million in 2014, and a turnover of EUR 182.4 million for the first nine months of 2015.

The takeover will also see Stadler Rail gain a foothold in new, Spanish-speaking markets around the world, with Rail Vehicles providing Stadler Rail access to markets on the Iberian peninsula, in South and Central America and in Africa.

Furthermore, this strategic move by Stadler Rail is a response to the consolidation wave caused by the merger of CNR and CSR to form the giant CRRC in China. The takeover of Rail Vehicles offers Stadler Rail the chance to consolidate its position in the European market.

An experienced management team
Thomas Ahlburg, Deputy CEO of the Stadler Rail Group, declared: “I am delighted that we have been able to take this step and integrate a company which not only represents the perfect addition to our product portfolio but also opens the door for us to several new markets. Rail Vehicles is an innovative company with a real competitive edge in the area of diesel-electric locomotives, and we are fortunate to be inheriting a highly experienced and motivated management and engineering crew.”

Hans Martin Schabert, CEO of Vossloh, added: “We are very pleased to have found such an experienced, respected and reliable buyer in Stadler Rail, and are convinced that the expertise, experience and company philosophies of both vehicle specialists complement each other perfectly. Being part of the Stadler Rail Group will afford Rail Vehicles great prospects for future development.”

New Division Latin for Stadler Rail
Stadler Rail is planning to integrate the Valencia location and its approximately 850 employees into the Group as the new Division Latin. The site has also been earmarked for a new competence centre for locomotive construction.

Read all about Vossloh Locomotives' product portfolio in our dedicated section on Mainlinediesels.net.

Railcolor theory 1: Vossloh 2265 / Renfe 334.001.5 is retrofitted by Vossloh with a hybrid propulsion system or being an electro-diesel. This would fit in the concept development strategy of the EURO Dual, the hybrid concept the company presented during InnoTrans 2010 and 2012. The EURO Dual locomotive has a CAT diesel engine and an ABB AC electrical transmission system. Being a electric locomotive, it would have 5 MW duration power.

Railcolor theory 2: We also get information about the 334.001 being fitted with a pantograph for testing overhead wiring. No alternative propulsion system here.

EURO 5000 = EURODual?
"At InnoTrans, both Vossloh locomotive manufacturers (Valencia and Kiel, red.) are exhibiting dual-mode concepts based on their successful families. The EURODual (...) makes the most of all the modular variations of its two platforms (EURO 4000 and EUROLIGHT) and offers operators, besides three diesel traction categories (700 kW; 1,400 kW and 2,800 kW) and an electric traction of 5,000 kW. (...)"

DM30 = hybrid version of the DE18
"With diesel engines rated at 1,200 kW, Vossloh Locomotives’ DM 30 is based on the DE 18. Traction can be raised to a total 2,400 kW at the wheels by using electrical energy from the contact wire."

At Innotrans 2010, the DM30 was present as a wooden model (well with designation DM20), of the EURODual one could obtain a fact sheet.

Check the complete Vossloh story here.

UKLight and AsiaLight
The EUROlight concept has offspring: the UKlight (of course, Vossloh is developing a batch for Beacon Rail / DRS) and the all new ASIAlight (these countries with their not so sophisticated infrastructure can use a light but powerful locomotive). "At the same time, rated at up to 2,800 kW, these lightweights develop ample power to keep pace with passenger traffic on mainlines. (..) The 12-16-cylinder version of the ASIALIGHT weighs 96 t, the 16-cylinder of the UKLIGHT 85 t. (..) The first of the UKLIGHT are due to arrive in Britain in late 2013."

More here.

The EuroDUAL was already annound on Transport&Logistik 2011: "Vossloh Rail Vehicles is broadening its EURO family with a new hybrid locomotive, the EURODual. This is a vehicle that runs on diesel fuel along lines with no overhead wire and, on electrified lines, can also source its energy overhead. With its EURODual Vossloh Rail Vehicles is offering operators a new type of locomotive with a high level of flexibility for all kinds of rail lines."

A brochure of the EuroDUAL was already available at Innotrans 2010 in Berlin. The prospektus showed us a Euro4000-alike six-axle locomotive with a top speed of 120 kph. It can be a multi-system electric for all four main voltage systems, and a fully fledged diesel locomotive with a CAT diesel engine with a power output ranging from 1 to 2,8 MW.

It is the second Dual-Mode concept from Spain, next to the Bitrac from CAF. - Vossloh/T&L/Railwaygazette