Rolling stock manufacturer Stadler has revealed that its EURO6000 electric locomotive has been officially authorised to operate in Belgium.
This authorisation follows the loco’s approval to operate in Luxembourg, which was given at the end of last year. EURO6000 locomotives already operate in France.
The company believes that the EURO6000 is one of the most versatile and efficient locomotives for rail freight operations across borders in Western Europe. It also believes that reaching this latest milestone has further strengthened the loco’s position.
Stadler also manufactures and supplies FLIRT trains for passenger operation in several European countries.
EURO6000 is currently the only locomotive which operates along the North Sea – Mediterranean Corridor, which is a strategic freight route that connects Southern and Northern Europe through Spain, France, Luxembourg and Belgium.
More than one hundred EURO6000 locomotives are currently in service, with the fleet operating international freight services between France and Spain.
EURO6000 is a multi-system electric locomotive, which can haul freight trains weighing more than 2,000 tonnes on steep gradients. It can do this in single-locomotive operation while maintaining the speeds required for competitive commercial services. The locomotive has six axles and a power output of 6 MW, which gives it exceptional tractive effort.
The approval of EURO6000’s operation in Belgium is expected to strengthen cross-border logistics in Western Europe. Stadler sees the approval received by EURO6000 as an achievement that reinforces the company’s commitment to supporting Europe in shifting freight haulage from road to rail. It helps to do this by developing and supplying locomotives which it believes are innovative, and which combine high performance, operational flexibility, reliability and environmental sustainability.
“The authorisation in Belgium and Luxembourg opens new opportunities for rail freight operators seeking sustainable and competitive cross-border transport solutions.
“Designed for seamless international operations, the EURO6000 now enables uninterrupted freight flows between Barcelona and Antwerp—a vital axis of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).”
Iñigo Parra, Executive Vice President Division Spain, Stadler