ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) has taken delivery of a third EURODUAL hybrid locomotive for its TransFLEX services, as the company extends the flexible rail freight concept beyond Germany for the first time. The dual-mode locomotive, supplied by European Loc Pool (ELP), was officially added to the fleet during the 2025 transport logistic fair in Munich.
The EURODUAL locomotive combines electric and diesel traction, allowing trains to operate across both electrified corridors and non-electrified industrial sidings without the need for shunting support. This technical flexibility is central to the TransFLEX model, which focuses on short-notice, ad-hoc freight movements, often involving routes with limited infrastructure.
Initially launched as a pilot in Germany in 2022, TransFLEX has since grown into a regular part of RCG’s operations. According to company figures, the service covered 1.87 million kilometres and moved 2.25 million net tonnes of freight in 2024, supported by 15 locomotives.
TransFLEX expansion
A key development in 2025 is the cross-border expansion of TransFLEX. Since mid-April, customers have been able to book services to and from Austrian locations, including a new connection linking Burghausen in Bavaria with sites across the border. The extension marks a shift from purely domestic operations to regional corridors, where short lead times and infrastructure adaptability remain crucial.
RCG says the hybrid traction model supports its efforts to reduce emissions and streamline operations, particularly for clients based on non-electrified industrial sidings. With three hybrid locomotives now in service and further expansion underway, RCG appears to be positioning TransFLEX as a model for more responsive and infrastructure-flexible freight operations on central European routes.