New Sustainable Locomotives for Railway Shunting – 8 DE 18 Locomotives Acquired for Operations in the Strait of Messina and Line Maintenance

• 8 DE 18 locomotives purchased, produced by Vossloh Rolling Stock
• Used by RFI in the Strait of Messina and for on-track maintenance operations

 

Rome, 21 May 2024 – Mercitalia Shunting & Terminal, part of FS Group’s Polo Logistica, is expanding its fleet with the acquisition of 8 locomotives for railway shunting and line maintenance operations.

 

The DE 18 locomotives, manufactured by Vossloh Rolling Stock, are already in use by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) – the leading company of FS Infrastructure Hub – for ferrying trains on and off ferries in the Strait of Messina, and for line maintenance operations in the Infrastructure Operational Divisions of Naples and Turin.

 

The purchase of the locomotives, which includes maintenance services by IMATEQ Italia, is part of the Polo Logistica investment plan to modernize and renew its fleet, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental protection.

 

The DE 18 locomotive, produced by Vossloh Rolling Stock, reduces emissions, optimizes fuel consumption, and when powered by renewable fuels like HVO and future PtX, can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 95%, while maintaining full performance.

 

At approximately 17 meters in length, 4 meters in height, and 3 meters in width, the DE 18 locomotives are equipped with systems that optimize power based on actual operational needs. This enables environmental sustainability benefits to be extended to rail freight transport even on non-electrified lines.

 

The locomotives are equipped with advanced technological systems such as ETCS, SCMT, and SSC, ensuring maximum flexibility across all Italian railway lines.

 

Locomotives Yasmina, Alessia, Barbara, Franca, and Sylvana operate in the Strait of Messina, while Arya, Nadia, and Lucia are dedicated to maintenance operations.