New Stadler mainline locs for SBB Freight Services

Güterverkehr

SBB Freight Services to procure up to 129 new mainline locs from Stadler Rail

SBB Freight Services is renewing its fleet with up to 129 state-of-the-art mainline locomotives from Stadler Rail. The new locomotives are the foundation for efficient freight services that will make SBB Freight Services fit for the future. Delivery of the locomotives are anticipated on a rolling basis between 2027 and 2035.

Matthias Meier (Text), SBB/CFF/FFS (Fotos)
Publiziert am 26.09.2024, Lesedauer 3 Min

Rendering of the new Stadler locomotive in the SBB Cargo design

A modern efficient fleet is essential for the SBB for the success provision of its freight services. Therefore by 2050, the SBB’s rail freight services will fully replace and standardise its locomotive stock. The first step is now complete, with the purchase of up to 129 new mainline locomotives from Stadler Rail. These new locomotives will gradually replace the existing locomotives currently in use. The modern Stadler locomotives will be delivered in stages between autumn 2027 and 2035. In this initial phase, SBB Freight Services will purchase 36 mainline locomotives, with an option to purchase an additional 93 vehicles.

«Rail freight services are the backbone of the Swiss economy and the supply of goods throughout Switzerland. The new locomotives are an important step forward,» says Alexander Muhm, Head of Freight Services at SBB. «They will make a significant contribution to automating and improving the efficiency of our operations, creating a sound economic basis for rail freight services.»

Innovative, efficient and energy saving

The four-axle locomotive model order is a new recently launched product by Stadler. SBB Freight Services has thus opted for an innovative mainline locomotive that is both powerful and at the cutting edge of technology. In addition to an electric drive, some of the mainline locomotives ordered also have a battery drive (a ‘last-mile module’), which allows the vehicle to run on tracks without overhead power lines. This means that the locomotives can also cover the first and last kilometres from collection of the freight through to delivery to the customer, foregoing the need for additional shunting locomotives. In the first stage, 22 out of 36 vehicles will be equipped with last-mile modules.

Stadler has created one of the lightest high-performance locomotives on the market. Despite its low weight, it is extremely powerful and has around a third more load-hauling capacity than the four-axle Re420 locomotive currently in use. The machine is also extremely efficient, consuming less energy than other locomotives while delivering higher performance. The vehicle meets all the necessary technical requirements for the introduction of digital automatic coupling (DAC), which is crucial for the automation and digitalisation of rail freight services.

60% reduction in operating costs

The procurement is part of SBB’s long-term strategy to standardise its entire fleet by 2050 through the replacement of its rolling freight stock, including locomotives and freight wagons. The motivation behind this strategy is fleet standardisation. Today, SBB Cargo owns 200 mainline locomotives of five different types. In the future, only one type should be used. Instead of the 27 wagon types currently in use, its future portfolio will include three standard wagons and one shunting locomotive. The standardisation combined with faster and more efficient maintenance of new locomotives will reduce operating costs for SBB’s freight fleet by around 60%.