Mercitalia Shunting & Terminal, part of the Italian state-owned FS Logistix, purchased eight EUROLIGHT Dual locomotives from Stadler. The Bo’Bo’ hybrid units will be able to travel on both electrified and non-electrified routes and will be equipped with ETCS B3R2.
As the name suggests, the locomotives are slightly lighter, with an axle load of 20 tonnes compared to the standard 22.5. This will allow them to run on the Category C lines, which cannot handle the heaviest freight trains. Some examples are the sections connecting to the port of Carrara, Venice Marghera or part of the port of Genoa.
In addition to ETCS, the locomotives will also feature the SCMT and SSC, the Italian rail safety systems, the company said. This feat, combined with the lower axle load and the hybrid power, enables them to travel on the whole Italian network. “The bimodal technology will allow the same locomotive to be used on electrified lines and on sections without catenaries, avoiding changes of vehicle and simplifying operational activities”, said Livio Ravera, CEO of Mercitalia Shunting & Logistics.
Unveiled at InnoTrans
Mercitalia Shunting & Terminal did not specify the planned investment or the timeline for the delivery. However, it did say that it will present the first locomotive next week at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin together with Stadler and passenger operator Trenitalia. “The acquisition of eight EUROLIGHT Dual locomotives is part of an overall investment program worth approximately one billion euros”, the CEO of FS Logistics Sabrina De Filippis added.