Stadler Euro

Stadler Euro locomotives
Company type	Product line
Industry	Rail transport
Predecessor	Vossloh Euro
Founded	2006
Headquarters	Valencia, Spain
Products	Diesel-electric and electric locomotives (Euro 3000, Euro 4000, Euro 6000)

The Stadler Euro locomotives, initially marketed as Vossloh Euro until 2015, are diesel-electric machines manufactured by Stadler Rail for the European rail sector. Available in two primary configurations—the four-axle Euro 3000 and the six-axle Euro 4000—these units are powered by dependable EMD 710 prime movers. Additionally, a six-axle electric-only version, the Euro 6000, is designed specifically for Iberian-gauge tracks. Since their introduction in 2006, the Euro series has been deployed in freight and passenger services across countries such as Spain, Norway, and Portugal.

History and background

During the early 2000s, the expansion of private railway operators across continental Europe was facilitated by open-access freight rights granted prior to full market liberalization in 2012. These operators mainly relied on second-hand diesel locomotives sourced from national rail companies or medium-powered models like the EMD Class 66 and Vossloh G2000. As demand increased alongside heavier train loads, there arose a necessity for a new generation of high-powered diesel locomotives, particularly for international freight services where differing electrification systems restricted electric traction.

Development was postponed due to environmental considerations and cost factors until economic conditions improved in the mid-2000s. This progress enabled incorporation into Alstom's Prima program. The initial development phase under Alstom transitioned to Vossloh following its acquisition of the Valencia manufacturing facility in 2004, culminating in the creation of the Vossloh Euro lineup.

The lineage of this series can be traced back to Electro-Motive Diesel-powered locomotives produced at Valencia, such as the JT 42BW, JT 42CW, and Class 67, which served Israel Railways and DB Cargo UK. These models shared General Motors EMD engines, traction motors, and comparable body frameworks with subsequent Valencia-built Vossloh units.

Following Vossloh’s acquisition, the Valencia plant manufactured the RENFE Class 334, an Iberian gauge variant closely related to the Vossloh Euro family.

Technology

The Vossloh Euro locomotives employ General Motors Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) 710 engines combined with EMD D43 electric traction motors and electronic management systems—except for the Euro 3000 AC model introduced in 2011, which utilizes EMD AC traction motors. EMD provides a complete propulsion package including engine and generator components.

Featuring a modular architecture, these locomotives share technical characteristics with earlier models like the RENFE Class 334 and Class 67, facilitating straightforward maintenance and component interchangeability.

Vossloh also offers alternative engine configurations customized to client specifications. The locomotives are equipped with dual driver cabs featuring centrally located controls, air conditioning systems, noise insulation, and adaptations to operate reliably in cold climates by preventing snow ingress.

Engineered for compatibility with European rail infrastructure, these units support multiple safety protocols and are prepared for ETCS (European Train Control System) integration. Both freight and passenger variants exist in standard () and Iberian () track gauges.

While numerous orders have been placed for the Euro 4000 variant, only two orders have been recorded for the Euro 3000 model—in 2004 and again in 2011. The Euro 3000 AC units commissioned by Israel Railways in 2011 incorporate significant enhancements: a chassis design akin to the Eurolight locomotive, a modernized EMD710 twelve-cylinder engine delivering 3,300 horsepower, advanced computerized control systems, and EMD/Siemens AC traction motors mounted on redesigned Bo'Bo' bogies.

Career and orders

The passenger Euro 3000 locomotives closely resemble the RENFE Class 334 units that were ordered prior to the change in ownership of the Valencia manufacturing facility; production persisted under Vossloh's management. The RENFE 334 series is part of both the Alstom Prima and Vossloh Euro locomotive families. There were only two Euro 3000 procurement instances, occurring in 2004 and 2011, with notable technical distinctions between the versions.

The Euro 4000 prototype was constructed in 2006, presented at InnoTrans that same year, underwent trials on Germany's main railway lines, and was subsequently acquired by Angel Trains Cargo.

Afro 4000

The South African Class Afro 4000 represents a derivative of the Euro 4000 model. In November 2014, the initial unit of a batch of twenty Afro 4000 diesel-electric locomotives intended for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) arrived at Table Bay Harbour and was officially introduced at Cape Town Station on December 1, 2014.

These twenty Afro 4000 locomotives, along with fifty Vossloh-manufactured AfroDual electro-diesel locomotives, were procured by Swifambo Rail Leasing, a company specializing in rolling stock leasing, which then leased them to PRASA.

Towards the end of 2015, PRASA commenced legal proceedings to annul the contract involving both the Afro 4000 and dual-mode locomotives supplied by Vossloh due to several complications, including the diesel units exceeding the permissible loading gauge on the network (with a height of 4.140 m compared to the 3.695 m limit established by Transnet).

Orders

Company	Gauge	Type	Quantity	Order date	Remarks
RENFE	Template:Track gauge	Euro 3000 passenger (RENFE 334)	28	2004	Order placed before Vossloh's acquisition; RENFE Class 334 is a Template:Track gauge variant of Euro 3000 for passenger service.
Comsa	Template:Track gauge	Euro 4000 freight	2		Second unit approved for operations in Spain and Portugal as "Comsa 335 series".
Allco/Railcare	Template:Track gauge		2	2005	Allco acquired two units for leasing purposes; one certified for Scandinavia; following Allco's withdrawal from Europe, Swedish Railcare assumed ownership of both.
CargoNet via Beacon Rail	Template:Track gauge		6	2009	After Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ took over Allco's European assets, Beacon Rail ordered six locomotives leased to Norway's CargoNet.
Angel Trains (now Alpha Trains)	Template:Track gauge		24	2006	"Angel trains cargo 335 series" equipped to comply with Spain and Portugal signaling systems.
Continental Rail S.A.		Euro 4000	4	2007	Intended for open access freight services within Spain.
Takargo (Cargo Rail)		Euro 4000 freight	7	2008	Operates across the Iberian Peninsula; subsidiary of Portuguese MOTA-ENGIL; estimated total orders amount to fourteen units.
MBTA	Template:Track gauge	Euro 4000 passenger	0	2007	Order was cancelled following denial of Buy America Act waiver.
Ferrovial Agroman	Template:Track gauge	Euro 4000 freight	1	2009	Deployed for freight operations within the Iberian Peninsula.
Israel Railways	Template:Track gauge	Euro 3000 AC passenger	24	2011/2	Paired with Bombardier Double-deck and Siemens Viaggio Light coaches; deliveries commenced September 2012; nine additional units ordered in 2012.
Israel Railways		Euro 4000 freight/passenger	14	2011	Initially intended for passenger use, later transitioned to freight; deliveries began November 2011.
Europorte via Beacon Rail		Euro 4000 freight	4	2010	Configured for operations in France, Belgium, and Germany.
VFLI via Beacon Rail		Euro 4000	6	2011	Confirmed orders for regional freight transport.
Europorte via Beacon Rail		Euro 4000	12	2011
PRASA	Template:Track gauge	Afro 4000	20	2013	Owned by Swifambo Rail Leasing and leased to PRASA; contract includes an additional fifty Euro Dual locomotives (2014–2016).
ETF	Template:Track gauge	Euro 4000	2	2013	Utilized for LGV construction train operations.
VFLI			8	2015	Six units leased through Beacon Rail, two acquired directly.
Europorte			4	2015
VFLI			3	2016	Allocated for use in France and Belgium.

References