Stadler Eurolight

In 2009, Vossloh announced its intention to expand its diesel locomotive range to include further shunting/light mainline locomotives with either hydraulic or electric transmissions, and to produce a mainline diesel-electric locomotive (EURO Light) for markets where an axleload below 20t is required. The four-axle EuroLight was designed to have a low axle load for use on cross-border operations on non-electrified European secondary routes, enabling operators to bypass bottlenecks on main corridors. It is reportedly suited for mixed-traffic operations, and can be outfitted to haul both passenger services and freight consists alike. with coil spring primary and secondary suspension. Both the engine and traction apparatus are frame mounted to reduce unsprung mass, being typically fitted using a five-point flexible mounting system, the mounting points of which being intentionally isolated. The alternator supplies two traction packages (ABB Bordline CC1500 DE Compact Converters) each with rectifier to create an intermediate DC supply, braking chopper, and drive electronics (AC800 PEC) with adhesion (anti slip) control controlling two traction inverters and one auxiliary inverter per package. There is one traction inverter per traction motor. The traction motors are rated at at 4,400rpm. ==Versions==

European mainland - EuroLight During early 2010, a pair of prototypes were constructed, numbered 248.001 and 248.002. That same year, 248.002 was publicly exhibited at Innotrans. Performance data gathered from these prototypes was subsequently made available to prospective operators to aid in evaluating the EuroLight's capabilities. During July 2015, the Italian operator Dinazzano Po ordered a single unit; the locomotive performed its maiden freight service during April 2018. On 31 July 2019, it was announced that the Spanish railway infrastructure company ADIF had ordered 22 Eurolight locomotives for rescue purposes; these vehicles are compliance with the European Stage IIIB emissions standards and feature a facelift over earlier production examples. United Kingdom - UKLight On 5 January 2012, Direct Rail Services announced an order for fifteen EuroLight UK locos for intermodal and passenger work with a C175-16 engine to be delivered in 2013, with options for more. Vossloh's product name for the design is UKLIGHT. They were designed to fit the small loading gauge in the UK, and were manufactured at Vossloh España's plant in Valencia, Spain, with an expected delivery date of late 2013. They are known in the United Kingdom as the class 68. The value of the contract has been estimated at £45 million. During early 2013, the design and livery of the Direct Rail Services' class 68s was publicly unveiled. By May 2013, the first of the locomotives was under construction, at which point testing at Velim test track and delivery to UK for certification was anticipated to occur around September/October 2013; By December 2013, number 68001 had commenced tests at Velim, and 68002 had been completed at Albuixech. During January 2014, the first locomotive, designated as 68002 Intrepid, was shipped to Southampton and transported to Carlisle; trials commenced one month later, which were initially conducted between Carlisle and Crewe. In September 2014, an option for ten further UKLights was confirmed to have been taken up by DRS/BeaconRail. Seven more units were confirmed as ordered in July 2015. During October 2019, the Taiwan Railway Administration awarded a €165M order to supply 34 AsiaLight locomotives; the deal was Stadler's first major tender win in the Asia Pacific region. ==See also==