Nexrail is expanding its leasing business in Western Europe with the addition of 50 low-emission DE 18 Stage V locomotives from Vossloh Rolling Stock.

In late 2022, Nexrail and Vossloh Rolling Stock signed a sale-and-purchase agreement for a further 50 DE 18 Stage V locomotives. The largest part of this order consists of a batch of 40 locomotives with German homologation, to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2023. Luuk von Meijenfeldt, CEO of Nexrail, is pleased: “This puts us in an excellent position of being able to serve the demand of our clients in Germany, particularly at such short notice. These locomotives combine a proven, reliable design with flexible, fuel-efficient and low-emission operation. Therefore, we see that our clients use the DE 18 for a wide variety of use-cases. We aim to use our portfolio to give a boost to the rail freight market, particularly low-emission operation on non-electrified lines, and thereby, supporting the positive role that rail plays in reducing the CO2 emissions.” “This second major order from Nexrail takes our partnership with this team of experienced rail leasing professionals to the next level”, emphasizes Vossloh Rolling Stock’s CEO Dr. Bernd Hoppe.

The agreement also includes the execution of an option for a further 10 DE 18 Stage V SmartHybrid locomotives, which was part of the framework agreement signed in 2021 for up to 50 of such locomotives, of which 20 have already been confirmed. That transaction was the first milestone the companies achieved together. Homologated for France, Belgium and Luxembourg, the first 30 locomotives equipped with ETCS Level 1 will be delivered to clients until March 2024. Our IMATEQ service team will upgrade them to ETCS Level 2 in 2025.

“The market demand for hybrid locomotives that are ETCS Level 2 prepared is developing quickly,” notes Mark Remie, CCO of Nexrail. “The proven technology of the DE 18 Stage V SmartHybrid is a logical solution for most clients with traction needs on non-electrified lines. Following our joint traction tests in the Ardennes last year, most customers are now convinced that the DE 18 can replace established market practices, such as the use of double-traction HLD77 and Class66. Needless to say, the potential for fuel and emissions savings is very high.” Kiel, January 31, 2023 Next milestone together with Nexrail

Media contact for Nexrail Lease: Luuk von Meijenfeldt | CEO | luuk.vonmeijenfeldt@nexrail.lease |