Since its launch in 2021, NEXRAIL has quickly become a well-known player in the locomotive leasing market in Europe. Its fleet includes 90 operational locomotives and 40 future deliveries. With 70 new-build locomotives, it is no wonder that the fleet’s average age is less than four years old, whereas the market average of equivalent locomotive exceeds 40 years.
For the next phase of its development, NEXRAIL is pro-actively developing next generation locomotives, in close cooperation with OEMs all over the world, to drive its mission forward: to transition the European rail market to a carbon-free future.
NEXRAIL: Serving the Non-Electrified Parts of the Rail Network in Europe
To date, NEXRAIL has had a unique market focus on non-electrified traction use-cases. This is a crucial niche that has traditionally been underserved by the leasing market. Its entire current fleet and order book consists of center-cab locomotives that serve this particular market segment. Clients use NEXRAIL’s locomotives for on-site shunting, medium distance heavy haul and regional feeding around ports, terminals and industrial areas. Its young, modern fleet ensures the highest level of reliability and fuel efficiency.
NEXRAIL: Leading the Charge in Decarbonizing the Rail Market in Europe
If one wants to understand NEXRAIL’s mission to transition the European rail market to a carbon-free future, one has to understand where the market is coming from. Today’s fleet almost exclusively relies on fossil-based diesel. For a part of the fleet, switching to HVO bio-diesel is a good option. HVO use realizes a net saving of 90% CO2. Therefore, NEXRAIL has collaborated with engine OEM’s to certify its fleet for HVO.
A step further in the transition is to introduce diesel-battery hybrid locomotives. NEXRAIL’s orderbook of Vossloh DE 18 has such diesel-battery hybrid propulsion. Adding a battery to the already efficient DE 18 saves an additional 20% diesel in a typical use-case. This is an important transition step, especially for heavy shunting applications, where the power required is simply too much for sustainable alternative, yet.
The DE 18 Smart Hybrid locomotives will be delivered as of the end of this year. They will be homologated in France, Belgium and Luxemburg (YE2024) and Germany Q3 2025. Also, they will be equipped with ETCS level 2. NEXRAIL is proud to present the loco to the market at InnoTrans 2024, at Outdoor Display T5/50.
So far, the solutions discussed are transition solutions. For one particular market, a true revolution is already possible: shunting.
Next Generation Shunting: The Battery Era is here
For shunting applications, NEXRAIL has collaborated with Italian locomotive company, IPE Locomotori 2000 to jointly create a full-battery TSI-compliant 3-axle locomotive, the IPE e6 NXRL. “With a 750kW electric power output, it is the strongest 3-axle ever built,” explains Mark Remie, Chief Business Development Officer of NEXRAIL. “And most importantly: it operates without any emissions.”
The battery capacity (up to almost 1MWh) ensures full shift non-stop operation. With the affordable fast charger that NEXRAIL has developed with its partners, recharging can be done in about 1 hour, “like a Tesla”. First homologation country is planned to be Germany, with other countries to follow.
At InnoTrans 2024, the first test locomotive will be presented to the public on Tuesday at 16:00 at the NEXRAIL booth (outdoor display | O5/55 and T5/55).
Railway Innovation and Digitalization
The benefit of a modern fleet and co-developing new locomotive types is that all railway innovation topics can be addressed. “Whether it is the latest ETCS, IoT data analytics or DAC-readiness, our fleet will be ready,” notes Juliane Storm-Ohm, Chief Technology Officer of NEXRAIL. “Also, our cooperation with BOOM Rail Solutions ensure best-in-class maintenance management and superior planning and insight for clients.”
Get in Touch With NEXRAIL
NEXRAIL’s commercial team is headed by Michel Mink-Van Delft. Mink-Van Delft: “We are looking forward to meeting clients and partners to discuss their needs. With NEXRAIL’s unique, exciting and innovative offering, we are convinced we can help with complex traction needs all over Europe. We are particularly interested to see how we can help client decarbonize their fleet over time. So, we do hope to see you at outdoor display O5/55!”.
Win a DE18SH Lego Model
Send an email to michel.mink@nexrail.lease with your best guess to the following question and win the limited edition DE18SH Lego model, consisting of more than 700 pieces!
What is the maximum battery capacity of the IPE e6 NXRL locomotive?
Come find out the answer at Innotrans, on Tuesday 16:00 at the NEXRAIL booth (outdoor display | O5/55 and T5/55).
Share on:
