Renfe Alquiler, a company of the Renfe Group specialising in the rental of rolling stock, has signed a contract with Stadler for the acquisition of 6 Euro6000 multi-system electric locomotives with six axles that can operate on the Iberian and UIC gauges. Delivery is scheduled for the first half of 2026.
These locomotives, which will be incorporated into the current Renfe Alquiler fleet already in operation, will allow for continued growth in national traffic on the Iberian gauge and in cross-border traffic between Spain and Europe. They will be manufactured entirely at the Stadler plant in Albuixec in Valencia and are the continuation of the series of locomotives acquired by Renfe Mercancias in 2023 that are already being delivered.
The new locomotives will be able to pull freight trains of up to 1,800 gross tonnes on 18 thousandths of a mile ramps on both Iberian gauge and UIC gauge tracks. This change in gauge is possible thanks to the universal bogies that allow the axles to be easily changed.
The six new locomotives will be able to operate on the new infrastructures at UIC of the Mediterranean Corridor and connection with France, a line with very specific operating and technical conditions related to the electrical supply (three voltages) and signalling (three different signalling systems). In Iberian gauge they can be used for heavy freight trains both on 3kV lines and on the new 25kV electrified lines.
The Euro6000 locomotives, approved in Spain, France, Luxembourg and Benelux, are part of Stadler’s Eurodual locomotive family, which offers the highest traction capacity among locomotives operating in the European market. The ability to haul longer and heavier trains significantly impacts efficiency and versatility in freight transport, enhancing the advantages of operating on new infrastructures.
As for their technical characteristics, they have 6 axles instead of the 4 axles that most European fleets have, which makes it easier to pull very heavy trains.
In this way, Renfe, through Renfe Alquiler as a company of the Renfe Group specialising in the rental of rolling stock, demonstrates its commitment to the sector to support rail transport at a key moment in national rail freight transport. This commitment represents a significant step towards promoting cross-border traffic between Spain and Europe through the Pyrenees and the development of new national railway infrastructures.
This operation is part of Renfe’s Strategic Plan 2023-2028, boosting the activity of the rolling stock rental business in the new scenario of transformation of the railway market by promoting the development of sustainable transport with Renfe as a relevant player in the entire value chain of the sector.
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