Stadler introduces the EURO DuFour type family

At the transport logistic, Stadler has unveiled a range of powerful four-axle electric locomotives for mainline service, which should complement the offer of traditional manufacturers in this segment in the future. To be precise, it was already made known with the award of the contract for its initial representative, when a firm contract for 36 machines for SBB Cargo was announced during last year's InnoTrans, with the possibility of increasing the order by up to 93 more and with deliveries starting in autumn 2027. It was already stated at the time that this is the basis for Stadler's new locomotive family, the name of which will be announced later.

Based on SBB Cargo's request, the locomotives in this order are to have favourable parameters for the impact on the infrastructure. With a weight of 80 tonnes, they are to comply with the C2 track class, i. e. 20 tonnes per axle and 6.4 tonnes per metre and in the Swiss system of classification of tracks according to lateral forces they are to comply with class 5.

In general, however, the type portfolio comprises a number of different variants (and weighing up to 90 tonnes), with many dual or multi-mode, using both diesel or battery power, with the assumption of power or capacity for a definitely larger action radius than just Last Mile range.

The name of the type series is a play on words, using the coincidence of the term for multiple meanings. Dufourspitze, or Pointe Dufour in French, is the highest mountain in Switzerland, and thus the home country of the initial customer. Aside from the symbolism of the summit itself, it is also meant to represent the locomotive's ability to be deployed on secondary lines and thus closer to the conditions of mountain climbs.

The figure after whom the summit is named can also be seen as a symbolic reference for its universality and contribution, since, in addition to the fortification system, the Swiss general Guillaume Henri Dufour was instrumental in the creation of the first detailed topographical map of Switzerland and, as a member of the so-called „Committee of the Five“ set up in Geneva in 1863, was one of the founders of the International Red Cross movement and its first president.

In addition, the word Dufour contains the word „four“, which can be attributed in particular to the four-axle design, a novelty in Stadler's portfolio in the case of the universal mainline locomotive. The „remaining" prefix Du is then interpreted by the manufacturer to represent the dual design.