Northrail’s first new DE 18 arrives in Sweden for Dynamic Test Runs

Vossloh Rolling Stock has delivered the first of Northrail’s future new DE 18 locomotives to Sweden where it will undergo dynamic test runs in order to obtain homologation and approval for Sweden and later on also for Norway. The locomotive, equipped with the latest Stage V engine technology, arrived in Sweden on April 12, 2025 and marks the start of a broader establishment of Northrail in the Swedish market.

Hamburg, April 28, 2025 - Northrail has ordered a total of ten DE 18 locomotives from Vossloh Rolling Stock, with an option for ten more. The DE 18 is a powerful diesel-electric mid cab locomotive for heavy shunting and line services. The locomotive type is designed to meet the future needs of freight transportation - with high performance, fuel-efficient operation and greatly reduced emissions. The DE 18 is certified to run on renewable HVO fuel, enabling up to 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to conventional diesel locomotives.

- We see a clear demand for strong modern and low-emission locomotives in Sweden. With the DE 18 we can offer a future-proof solution that combines power, flexibility and sustainability, says Michael Trentzsch, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Commercial Officer at Northrail AG.

The locomotive now delivered will undergo technical adaptation for the Swedish market, including installation of the European signalling system ETCS, as well as the local Swedish train control system ATC-2. The first dynamic tests will take place in 2025 and the initial J5 approval is expected in early 2026.

Henrik M. Egeter, Spokesman of the Management Board from Vossloh Rolling Stock, adds: - We are glad to be able to support our long lasting customer Northrail and the Scandinavian railway industry with sustainable and efficient solutions. That's why we're equipping the DE 18 locomotive with a climate-friendly performance package that delivers strong traction and reliable ease of use.

Northrail sees Sweden as a long-term market. The DE 18 locomotive is built to be used both in Sweden and Norway. It is suitable for shunting and, as one of the strongest mid-cab locomotives in Europe, also for freight traffic on main lines.

About Vossloh Rolling Stock

Vossloh Rolling Stock has opened a forward-looking chapter in 2020 by moving under the umbrella of its parent company CRRC ZELC. This strong connection lays the foundation for significantly expanding our product range and driving forward technological innovations and sustainable concepts even faster. We benefit from economies of scale in production and investments in our manufacturing and service capacities. Today, we cover the entire value chain of a locomotive - from locomotive design and engineering to platform production in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and customised service with all ECM functions.

As one of the leading locomotive manufacturers in Europe and as a company steeped in tradition with more than 150 years of expertise in locomotive construction, Vossloh Rolling Stock is committed to sustainable mobility - through far-sighted and decisive action, in constant dialogue with our customers. The concept for success that customers from all sectors - whether state railways, lessors or industrial and private railway customers - trust is traction that is precisely tailored to their needs. Our focus has always been on highly economical, robust and user-friendly solutions for all transport tasks in shunting and trackside operations. With our technological innovations and resource-saving production and service processes, we always set industry standards. Ultimately, we are characterised by the fact that we always see cooperation with our customers and partners as business-to-human and practice it in a very personal way.

Further information on Vossloh Rolling Stock is available at: www.vl-rs.com

Northrail is one of Europe's leading rolling stock leasing companies, asset managers and developers of innovative rolling stock investments. Northrail manages a portfolio of approximately 430 vehicles, including around 250 locomotives and around 180 multiple units and passenger coaches, for freight and passenger transport in Europe, with an investment volume of close to 1.5 billion euros. Northrail's managed fleet includes state-of-the-art electric, dual-mode and hybrid locomotives, battery-powered regional trains, as well as traditional shunting and universal locomotives. Northrail also develops tailor-made leasing services for its clients and organizes the maintenance of leased vehicles based on its ECM I to III licence. Northrail, headquartered in Hamburg (Germany), currently employs around 50 people and is a subsidiary of RIVE Private Investment, an independent European investment firm with offices in Paris, Luxembourg, and Geneva, specializing in transportation assets and energy transition.