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SBB Cargo Switzerland plans a complete renewal of its locomotive and freight car fleets by 2040. This measure is part of a long-term strategy aimed at increasing the efficiency and availability of the vehicles. Vehicles that have reached the end of their lifespan will be sold or scrapped after the recycling of usable parts.
Sale of the Mainline Locomotives
In 2004 and 2005, SBB Cargo Switzerland acquired a total of 31 mainline locomotives of the type Re 482 (Bombardier Traxx) for use on the European north-south axis. From 2010, these locomotives were leased to the newly established SBB Cargo International. As part of the intended standardization of the rolling stock fleet, SBB Cargo Switzerland has now decided to sell all 31 mainline locomotives. The buyer is Nordic Re-Finance, which will take over the entire fleet in February 2026. At the same time, the Swedish leasing company will also assume the existing lease agreement with SBB Cargo International, under which the locomotives are operated on the north-south axis between Germany and Switzerland. The two parties have agreed to keep the purchase price confidential.
With this sale, SBB Cargo Switzerland will focus on its own vehicle fleet and withdraw from the ownership of third-party vehicles.
Reduction of Type Variety
In 2025, SBB Cargo Switzerland will own around 200 mainline locomotives of six different types. By 2035, a reduction in type variety to a modern mainline locomotive from Stadler Rail Valencia S.A.U. is planned. Locomotives that have reached the end of their lifespan will be sold or scrapped after the recycling of usable parts. Further information on the circular economy in the decommissioning of locomotives can be found on the Cargo Blog.
A modern fleet is central to the rail freight transport of SBB Cargo Switzerland. The renewal of the rolling stock by 2040 aims to achieve standardization and maximum reduction of vehicle types that are optimally aligned with the production concept and customer needs. Currently, SBB Cargo Switzerland operates various types of mainline locomotives, shunting locomotives, and freight cars. Many of these vehicles have reached the end of their lifespan, leading to extensive and costly maintenance work, which negatively impacts vehicle availability.
Through the intended standardization and the associated more efficient maintenance, it is expected that the operating costs of the fleet will decrease by about 60%. In addition, modern vehicles are a prerequisite for a digitized and more automated rail freight transport.
