Following the success of its EuroDual platform, followed by Euro6000, Euro9000 and Euro4001 six-axle locomotives, Stadler Rail has unveiled its concept for locomotives that should compete with well-established Vectron and Traxx locomotives in the 4-axle segment - the EURO DuFour. It has decided to give it a competitive advantage through several innovations.
More powerful, versatile, lighter
The new platform evolves from the initial order for up to 129 locomotives by SBB Cargo. Even though the SBB locomotives resemble the Loc2000 design, the EURO DuFour has more of EuroDual resemblance. The locomotive will be introduced in a base electric model with 7 MW on wheel in 25kV and 15kV AC. It will also be available for 3kV and 1.5 kV DC catenary systems. Other options are dual mode (electric/diesel), and hybrid mode (electric/battery). Diesel engines power output will be up to 1 MW and for batteries to power output will reach maximum 2 MW. Starting tractive effort is at 350 kN.
Another competitive edge of the EURO DuFour is the possibility to access the C-category of railway lines (C2/C3/C4), i.e. the weight of the locomotive should only weigh 80 tonnes, with 10 additional tonnes if the configuration includes battery module. The locomotive can feature a hybrid and/or DAC too. Locomotive will be launched in an initial DACH package (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).
Unknown, yet powerful name
Dufour is the name derived from the highest Swiss peak, Dufourspitze at the border with Italy. Despite being the second-highest peak in the Alps, the 4,634 m high peak is unknown to most. It is named after Guillaume-Henri Dufour, a Swiss engineer, army general, and cartographer, who created the first accurate map of Switzerland. The name is also a pun on number four, referring to number of axles of the locomotive.
