en.Wedoany.com Reported - Alpha Trains has signed a contract to purchase 25 additional EURO6000 electric locomotives from manufacturer Stadler. Scheduled for delivery in 2028, this order will expand the leasing company's dedicated locomotive fleet for the Iberian and Central European markets to 92 units.

The order includes locomotives in two different configurations to meet the structural requirements of the European rail network. The Iberian broad-gauge variant is specifically designed for expanding rail freight operations within Spain. The UIC standard-gauge vehicles are tailored for the Mediterranean Corridor, enabling seamless transport across the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). This configuration allows the locomotives to directly connect Spain with France, Belgium, and Luxembourg without requiring a locomotive change at the border.

The EURO6000 series features six axles with a traction power output of 6 megawatts. This powertrain architecture enables the vehicles to haul heavy freight trains with trailing loads exceeding 2,000 tonnes on steep gradients while maintaining cruising speed. The integrated multi-system capability ensures technical interoperability, allowing the vehicles to operate under various national electrification and train protection systems.

In modern railway engineering, the combination of six axles and 6 MW power forms a Co'Co' axle configuration, utilizing two bogies, each with three independently powered axles. This design maximizes adhesive weight and tractive effort on the rails to tackle the complex gradients of the Iberian Peninsula's terrain. A major logistical obstacle in European rail transport is the gauge difference: Spain traditionally uses Iberian broad gauge (1,668 mm), while France and other parts of Central Europe rely on UIC standard gauge (1,435 mm). To efficiently serve the Mediterranean Corridor, these multi-system locomotives must not only possess the necessary gauge compatibility but also seamlessly switch between different electrification infrastructure systems, such as 3 kV DC in Spain and 1.5 kV DC/25 kV AC in France.

This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com