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Stadler EuroDual Locomotives Set for Type Approval in the Balkans, Aiming for Operational Versatility

Stadler EuroDual Locomotives Set for Type Approval in the Balkans, Aiming for Operational Versatility
photo: European Loc Pool/Stadler EuroDual Locomotives Set for Type Approval in the Balkans, Aiming for Operational Versatility
31 / 08 / 2023

European Loc Pool (ELP), a prominent leasing company, is making strides in expanding its reach into the Balkans. The company recently announced that it's expecting to receive type approval for its Stadler EuroDual electro-diesel locomotives in Serbia imminently. If all goes as planned, Slovenia and Croatia are next on the list for operational approvals by year's end, with other Balkan countries to follow in the upcoming year. This move comes after ELP unveiled its ambitious plans for the Balkan market at the InnoTrans 2022 trade fair.

According to Ľubomír Dlábik, Sales Account Manager at ELP, the EuroDual is particularly well-suited for the challenging terrains of the Balkans. These trains are designed to navigate steep gradients, tight curves, and varied electrification conditions, making them a perfect fit for the region's railway networks. What's more, Dlábik highlights that the EuroDual can eliminate a longstanding inefficiency at the Croatian port of Rijeka by hauling entire freight trains out of the steep locale, a feat that currently requires splitting the trains into two sections.

To familiarize the region with the new locomotive, ELP has gone beyond mere announcements. The company sent a specially adorned EuroDual locomotive, numbered 159 246 and christened 'Leteći Balkanac' ('Flying Balkanian'), for trials across the Balkan states. The test locomotive has been on a regional tour since May, marking its presence in Croatia, Slovenia, and most recently, Serbia. This multi-country trek underlines ELP's serious commitment to bringing cutting-edge rail technology to the Balkans.

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