Swiss train manufacturer Stadler has signed a contract with VIA Rail Canada to supply 45 hybrid locomotives, marking its first locomotive order in Canada. The Swiss company has awarded this contract to its Albuixech plant in Valencia, the group’s locomotive production hub.

Stadler Valencia is also one of the company’s leading European rail technology centres, with more than 500 engineers dedicated to vehicle design and development. The plant will be responsible for designing, manufacturing and delivering the new fleet, with final assembly taking place in Canada.

Rail vehicle value chain
Stadler’s facilities in the Valencian town cover 200,000 square metres and employ more than 2,250 people. The entire rail vehicle value chain is carried out there, from demand analysis to design, manufacturing, certification, maintenance and after-sales service. The plant is equipped for development, manufacturing and testing, with 3 kilometres of track featuring various gauges and overhead line voltages.

The locomotives which are set to be manufactured in Valencia combine proven diesel-electric technology with an innovative battery-assisted traction system. They are designed to operate reliably in Canada’s demanding climate, including temperatures as low as -50°C. Their hybrid concept will enhance operational performance while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Excellent acceleration
The battery modules will provide power for traction, auxiliary systems and the passenger coaches’ electrical supply. Combining battery power with the diesel engine will deliver up to 4 MW of power at the wheel and enable a top speed of 160 kilometres per hour. This system ensures excellent acceleration, strong performance on steep gradients and reliable operation across VIA Rail’s entire long-distance network.

The hybrid architecture enables the energy generated during braking to be recovered and stored in the batteries. This improves energy efficiency while reducing both fuel consumption and maintenance requirements. Combining battery-assisted traction with optimised diesel engine management also makes it possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deliver better operational performance throughout the vehicles’ service life.

Performance, reliability and sustainability
Íñigo Parra, Executive Vice-President of Stadler’s Spanish division, explained, “Our hybrid locomotive platform combines performance, reliability and sustainability. By integrating battery-assisted operation into a powerful long-distance locomotive, we are providing VIA Rail with a future-ready solution that supports its environmental goals while enhancing operational flexibility and passenger service.”

The Valencia factory also has a vocational training centre where 70 students each year undertake programmes in electrical systems, welding and mechanics, as well as the transport and maintenance of industrial vehicles. Stadler also has an assembly plant in Spain, located in Vall d'Uixó (Castellón), and will soon open a specialised testing centre in Albacete. In total, 3,000 of its 18,000 employees work in Spain.

^{Photo: Stadler}