Rail Traction Company has begun test runs with the Euro9000 locomotive on the Brenner corridor following its approval for operation in Italy. The trials started in May 2026 and are being carried out in cooperation with European Loc Pool as part of the locomotive’s practical authorisation process.
The programme focuses on the performance of the six-axle multi-system locomotive in heavy cross-border freight traffic between Germany, Austria and Italy. Test runs also cover the Domodossola route between Switzerland and Italy, another key Alpine freight link.
The Euro9000 is authorised for Germany, Austria, Italy and the Benelux countries, allowing through operation across several core north–south corridors.
On sections of the Brenner route, heavy trains have so far required double traction. RTC is assessing whether comparable loads can be hauled with a single Euro9000, including on steep gradients and under Italy’s 3 kV DC system, where the locomotive can combine electric operation with its diesel module to increase available tractive effort.
RTC operates international freight services with a focus on the Brenner corridor and runs grain trains to Italy from Romania, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia and Ukraine. The results of the test phase will determine whether the Euro9000 is integrated into regular cross-border operations.
