SBB: The new Stadler Rail freight locomotive arrives (cross-border guide)
SBB presents the new EURO DuFour freight locomotive: energy efficiency, reduced track wear, and a battery module for the last mile.
Contesto
In brief - Ordered the first batch of 36 EURO DuFour locomotives from Stadler Rail. - Active option for an additional 93 vehicles for fleet renewal. - Integrated battery module for freight delivery without a contact line. - First deliveries expected by March 2029 after certification tests. ## Key facts - What: Freight line locomotive Re 494 - When: Delivery of the first batch by March 2029 - Where: Produced at Stadler Rail's Valencia plant - Who: Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and Stadler Rail - Amount: 36 locomotives in the first batch with an option for another 93 Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and the Swiss company Stadler Rail have officially presented the new locomotive that will revolutionise national freight traffic. The vehicle, named Re 494, is the strategic pillar for the future of rail logistics in Switzerland. According to company executives, the new power unit is designed to drastically optimise energy consumption and minimise track wear, meeting the needs of a more flexible and sustainable freight transport. The model, which features a distinctive red livery, incorporates iconic visual elements of the SBB fleet, such as the black stripe at window height, echoing the aesthetic of the famous passenger locomotive Re 460. ### A technological choice for the freight fleet The decision to go with EURO DuFour locomotives is part of a long‑term modernisation plan. The initial order, signed in September 2024, covers 36 units, but SBB have already secured an option for a further 93 vehicles, making this model the future sole locomotive of the national freight fleet. Alexander Muhm, head of freight traffic at SBB, highlighted that this locomotive sets technical excellence standards, being equipped with high‑performance systems ready for integration of future innovation...
Dettagli operativi
Innovation: the last-mile module One of the most innovative features of this project involves the adoption of a battery module on 22 of the 36 locomotives in the first batch. Thanks to this technical specification, the locomotives, designated as Rea 494 for the equipped variant, will be able to operate autonomously even on routes without an overhead line. This means that the locomotive can directly handle the pickup and delivery of goods at the final customer's premises, overcoming the structural limitation of current electrified lines. This capability eliminates the need for a dedicated shunting locomotive, significantly optimizing the time and operational costs associated with freight transport. The efficiency gained from this process translates into fewer required movements, reducing dwell times at marshalling yards and improving the fluidity of rail logistics, which remains a crucial issue for mobility in Switzerland. ### Comparative table of technical features | Feature | Technical description | | :--- | :--- | | Model | EURO DuFour (Re 494) | | Power supply | Electric (22 units with battery module) | | Production | Stadler Rail plant, Valencia, Spain | | Battery function | 'Last-mile' coverage without overhead line | | Fleet objective | Complete replacement of existing freight models | The integration of these technologies concerns not only transport speed, but also the reduction of infrastructure wear and tear. With the adoption of more modern construction standards, the new locomotive responds positively to the environmental goals set at the federal level for shifting freight traffic from road to rail. The transition to a homogeneous fleet based on the EURO DuFour locomotives will allow SBB to streamline maintenance as well, simplifying spare parts management...
Punti chiave
Testing and approval phases The path leading the new locomotives onto Swiss tracks is rigorous and marked by precise stages. Currently, the first vehicle has been unveiled, but the road to active service involves mandatory technical steps at an international level. During the second half of 2026, the locomotive will undergo a series of meticulous checks at the Velim test circuit in the Czech Republic, a center specialized in testing high-performance rolling stock. Only after passing these tests will the vehicle arrive in Switzerland in 2027 to complete final approval by the competent authorities. Only then will it proceed to operational service. The delivery of the 36 locomotives in the first tranche will take place gradually, with a schedule of arrivals staggered until March 2029. ### Procedures for operators and outlook For logistics sector operators and companies relying on rail transport, the introduction of this fleet promises greater regularity in supplies. The flexibility of the battery module, in particular, opens up interesting scenarios for industrial sidings that until now required complex and expensive maneuvers. Those who intend to monitor how these infrastructural developments might influence the labor market or the stability of Swiss companies can consult the section dedicated to companies operating within the national territory. The long-term planning of the SBB, which sees the Re 494 as the only freight locomotive of the future, ensures operational continuity that transcends the individual supply, positioning the Railways as a key player for Swiss logistics in the coming decades. To further explore topics related to careers or social security in this sector, our calculator is always available for accurate financial planning. Source: swissinfo.ch
Punti chiave
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the main innovations of the new Re 494 locomotive?
- The new Re 494 locomotive is designed to reduce energy consumption and track wear. The most innovative feature is the integrated battery module on 22 of the 36 locomotives in the first tranche, which allows for operation on tracks without overhead lines, covering the last mile without the need for an additional shunting locomotive.
- When will the new locomotives arrive on Swiss tracks?
- Following a test phase scheduled for the second half of 2026 at the Velim circuit in the Czech Republic, the locomotives will arrive in Switzerland in 2027 for homologation. The actual delivery of the 36 units in the first tranche will take place gradually, with a staggered arrival schedule running until March 2029.
- How many locomotives have been ordered in total by SBB?
- SBB ordered an initial tranche of 36 EURO DuFour locomotives in September 2024. The contract also includes an option for the purchase of an additional 93 vehicles, with the long-term goal of making this model the only locomotive used by the SBB cargo fleet.