SBB Cargo Switzerland has unveiled the Re 494, a new-generation freight locomotive developed with Stadler Rail to make Swiss rail freight more efficient, flexible and cost-effective. The locomotive, based on Stadler’s EURO DuFour platform, was presented on June 12, 2026, and is set to become a key part of SBB Cargo’s future mainline freight fleet.
The project is one of the most important steps in SBB Cargo’s long-term fleet renewal plan. The company ordered an initial 36 locomotives from Stadler in September 2024, including 22 units with battery modules. SBB Cargo also holds options for up to 93 additional locomotives, giving the programme a potential total of 129 vehicles.
New Re 494 brings 7 MW power and lower track wear
The Re 494 is a four-axle Bo’Bo’ electric freight locomotive designed for heavy freight operations. Stadler says the locomotive can deliver up to 7 megawatts of power at the wheel rim, generate up to 350 kilonewtons of starting tractive effort and reach a top speed of 160 km/h.
The locomotive is configured for 15 kV 16.7 Hz, 25 kV 50 Hz and 11 kV 16.7 Hz electrical systems. That allows it to operate across Switzerland, Germany and Austria, making it useful for international freight corridors where cross-border reliability is essential.
According to SBB Cargo, the Re 494 is expected to use around 15% less electricity than the existing fleet. A newly developed bogie steering system is also expected to reduce rail wear by about 20%, helping lower infrastructure strain and maintenance costs.
Read More
Battery technology improves last-mile freight operations
The battery-equipped version is one of the most notable features of the order. With battery modules, the locomotive can operate on non-electrified tracks, terminals and industrial sidings without needing a separate shunting locomotive. This could make freight movements faster and simpler for customers that are not directly connected to electrified rail infrastructure.
The locomotives will be built at Stadler’s facility in Valencia, Spain. Testing is expected to begin in 2026 at the Velim test centre in the Czech Republic before the vehicles move toward approval and operation in Switzerland. The first locomotives are planned to enter Swiss service toward the end of 2027, with deliveries continuing through 2029.
The Re 494 also supports SBB Cargo’s wider restructuring plan. The company wants its freight business to become financially self-sustaining by 2033, while modernising and standardising its locomotive and wagon fleet by 2040. SBB expects this long-term programme to reduce operating costs by around 60%.
The launch comes as railway operators across Europe invest in more efficient rolling stock to cut energy use, reduce emissions and improve network performance. In the UK, similar attention on fleet and network renewal followed the unveiling of the first Great British Railways train ahead of UK rail nationalisation.
More details about the locomotive and SBB Cargo’s fleet renewal plan are available in the official SBB announcement.
Make Swikblog your go-to source on Google for reliable updates, smart insights, and daily trends.
