Locomotive 1739 Named ‘Lieve’

Date

21 April 2026

Expertises

Sustainability, Rail Construction, Rail Maintenance

On Thursday 16 April, another electric locomotive exchanged its number for a name. In the presence of our locomotive drivers and colleagues from our home countries, locomotive 1739 was officially christened. From now on, this locomotive will carry the name Lieve, in honour of our CEO, Lieve Declercq.

By tradition, all Strukton Rail locomotives bear women’s names. These are names of colleagues’ partners or women who themselves have made a special and valuable contribution to Strukton’s equiptment division. This makes us especially proud that locomotive 1739 now carries the name Lieve.

With her naming, Lieve joins a remarkable series: Kethie, Janny, Charlotte, Magda, Martine, Nicole, Carin, Willy (Italy), Demi, Danique and Monique — each a locomotive with its own story.

“Just the idea that my name is connected to a locomotive already feels special — and to be honest, a little unreal. What touches me most, though, is the thought and effort our team put into this. It says so much about the people I have the privilege to work with. The appreciation, trust and sense of connection reflected in this gesture mean a great deal to me.” Lieve Declercq, CEO Strukton Groep

We wish locomotive Lieve many beautiful, safe and reliable kilometres.

On 16 October 2024, Strukton added two electric type 1700 locomotives to its fleet. These locomotives were acquired from Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), which is currently renewing its own fleet. For Strukton Rail, this presented an excellent opportunity to give these locomotives a second life.

With this expansion, Strukton Rail Equipment aims to carry out more machinery transport operations emission-free. The locomotives are deployed as traction units for track renewal and maintenance activities.

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions here.

What does sustainability mean in the rail and civil infrastructure sector?

Sustainability in rail and civil engineering focuses on reducing environmental impact across the entire lifecycle of infrastructure. This includes using emission‑free equipment, circular and recycled materials, and designing assets with a longer lifespan and lower maintenance requirements. Reusing structural components—such as circular viaduct beams or recycled copper contact wires for overhead lines—significantly reduces CO₂ emissions while conserving valuable raw materials.

How can CO₂ emissions be reduced in infrastructure projects?

CO₂‑reduction is achieved through a combination of clean construction methods and material innovation. Key strategies include:

Deploying zero‑emission machinery such as electric cranes, electric rail‑road vehicles (Krols), electric vans and battery‑powered locomotives.
Integrating circular concrete, geopolymer concrete, and recycled materials to lower embodied carbon.
Collaborating across the supply chain — from client to contractor to materials supplier — to scale circular and low‑carbon solutions.

These measures not only reduce carbon emissions but help create more resilient, future‑proof infrastructure.

Which sustainable innovations are being used in modern rail and civil engineering projects?

Infrastructure projects increasingly rely on advanced sustainable technologies, such as:

100% recycled copper contact wire, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 92%.
Geopolymer concrete, offering 50–80% CO₂ savings compared to traditional mixes.
Electric and battery‑powered locomotives for maintenance and logistics.
Circular overhead‑line foundations and poles made from low‑impact concrete.
The Energy Bank, an innovative click‑and‑go substation that captures and reuses regenerative braking energy.
Circular viaduct and bridge concepts, enabling reuse instead of demolition.

These innovations drive measurable environmental benefits throughout the asset lifecycle.

What is zero‑emission equipment in infrastructure construction?

Zero‑emission equipment refers to machinery that operates without producing exhaust gases, typically powered by electricity or batteries. Examples include:

Electric locomotives and battery locomotives
Electric cranes and rail‑road (Krol) vehicles
Electric vans and support vehicles

This equipment eliminates local emissions, improves air quality around work sites, reduces noise pollution and helps clients comply with increasingly strict sustainability requirements.

What does the future of sustainability in infrastructure look like?

By 2050, the infrastructure sector aims to be fully climate‑neutral. This future includes:

A robust, climate‑resilient infrastructure network designed for extreme weather.
A fully emission‑free construction fleet.
Circular material chains where components are reused at scale.
Rail as a leading sustainable mobility system, supported by smart energy management and low‑carbon construction methods.
Infrastructure that integrates nature, supports biodiversity and ensures safe mobility for everyone.

The transition is already underway, driven by innovation, collaboration and long‑term thinking.

What are the main challenges of railway construction in densely populated European urban areas

Railway construction in European urban areas faces several challenges, including limited space, strict environmental regulations and the need to manage noise and vibration in line with European rail standards. Complex public transport networks, high population density and the demand for uninterrupted urban mobility add further constraints.

What factors influence the cost of building a new railway line?

The cost of constructing a new railway line in Europe depends on several key factors, including route length, local geography, environmental requirements and the complexity of the surrounding rail infrastructure. Prices can range from several million to hundreds of millions of euros, depending on whether the project involves urban environments, tunnels, bridges or upgrades to existing public transport networks.

Strukton delivers tailored railway engineering solutions and provides expert advice on cost optimisation through smart design, efficient project planning and sustainable construction techniques. By applying innovative technologies and meeting European rail standards, we help clients reduce lifecycle costs while ensuring reliable, future‑proof transport connections.