LOCOMOTIVE leasing company Railpool has ordered 45 Modula locomotives from Vossloh Rolling Stock, which is owned by CRRC ZELC, China. The framework contract contains an option for up to 142 additional locomotives.
Delivery will start in mid-2026 and is scheduled for completion at the end of 2027. If the option is exercised, the additional locomotives will be delivered before mid-2029.
The Modula locomotives are divided into two types: the type BDD 1MW hybrid, which is powered by two diesel engines and a battery, and the type EDD 25MW 15kV 16.7Hz electric shunter which also has a 1MW diesel engine for operation on non-electrified tracks.
Both locomotive types will be authorised for operation in Germany. However, the locomotives in the option will be designed for operation in both Germany and the Netherlands, which will mean the addition of 1.5kV dc traction equipment in the type EDD shunters.
Full-service lease
Railpool will market the Modula locomotives based on a full-service leasing model, with maintenance undertaken through its network of workshops. Sensors fitted to key locomotive components will monitor the condition of the systems with the objective of minimising maintenance costs. If a shunter fails, a service team can connect to the locomotive and, in combination with a virtual back office of fleet management, engineering and suppliers, ensure that the cause of fault is investigated and resolved quickly.
Continuous data evaluation of the most important locomotive parameters during operation will enable maintenance staff to identify problems early and develop appropriate technical solutions to reduce downtime.
“Approximately 60% of locomotives in Europe are older than 30 years and at the end of their productive life cycle, and on average, shunting locomotives are over 40 years old,” says Mr Torsten Lehner, CEO of Railpool. “By procuring the Modula locomotives, we would like to offer our customers an attractive offer to switch to sustainable and energy-efficient new vehicles quickly, unbureaucratically and with the usual Railpool service quality as part of a rental model and to offer the operating staff a modern workplace.
“Both Modula variants can be fuelled with synthetic fuels and therefore meet the highest environmental standards. Their innovative vehicle design enables, on the one hand, optimal utilisation of the route infrastructure and, on the other hand, is perfectly designed for both heavy-duty shunting services and freight transport.”
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