EUROPE: Leasing company Nexrail has ordered 20 Vossloh Rolling Stock DE18 SmartHybrid locomotives with updated specifications, taking its total order to 50 of the type.
The DE18 four-axle mid-cab locomotives with a 1 800 kW Stage V emission standards compliant diesel engine as well as a traction battery are designed to offer flexibility for use on shunting, regional freight and engineering trains and for rescue operations.
Updated specification
The latest batch for delivery by CRRC ZELC subsidiary Vossloh Rolling Stock in 2027 will have batteries upgraded to 106 kWh to enable more than 1 h of emission-free low-speed operation and to act as an extended start-stop system, which Nexrail says can lead to fuel savings of 15% to 40% depending on the use case.
The type is approved for France, Belgium and Luxembourg. The latest batch will be equipped with ETCS Baseline 3.6 for the Belgian network which is to switch to ETCS-only operation by the end of 2027. They will also be approved for use in Germany, with the PZB train protection system as well as cameras to provide optimal visibility for drivers operating from the left of the cab.
All Nexrail’s locomotives are to be upgraded to the latest specification during 2027.
‘Reliable and flexible’
Nexrail is backed by private equity investor InfraVia Capital Partners. The leasing company said the fleet expansion announced on January 8 is ‘an important step in providing rail freight operators across Europe with modern, efficient and low-emission traction solutions for traffic on non-electrified lines’.
Bart Smout, Managing Director of HSL Belgium which operates a fleet of DE18SH locos, said the type provides it with ‘reliable and flexible’ traction ’allowing us to handle our initial movements more independently and efficiently. It has also helped reduce energy consumption when hauling heavy trains. Nexrail has supported us well during the integration of the locomotives into our operations.’
