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Strukton increases sustainability of locomotive fleet

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Date

24 April 2020

Expertise

Sustainability

A new investment in electric locomotives. We have purchased three 1700 series electric locomotives and two control cars from NS and transporting them today. The locomotives will be used to provide the pull power for railway renovations and maintenance work.

Strukton acquired its first electric locomotive in May of last year. Following a thorough overhaul, it was christened Loc Nicole. Today, Loc Nicole is regularly being used for transporting machinery and infrastructural materials in support of work performed on the tracks.

The motivation for purchasing the three 1700 series locomotives is that two diesel locomotives from the Netherlands will be deployed to Italy. CLF, Strukton Rail’s Italian railway company, will use the locomotives there for railway work. Increasingly making use of electric transportation is consistent with Strukton’s sustainability goals. An electric work locomotive is good for the climate and healthier for employees. The overhead line electricity comes from wind energy, making it 100% green. Furthermore, an electric locomotive does not emit any CO2 or particulate matter.

From Overhead Line to Battery

Strukton’s aim is to equip Loc Nicole, as well as the newly acquired locomotives, with batteries, so that the locomotives can drive independently without overhead lines. Work planning for converting Loc Nicole is currently underway. Strukton is making use of its own in-house knowledge for converting the locomotives to battery-powered trains. Strukton Rolling Stock, specialist in power electronics in rail-bound vehicles, is working with several parties on developing battery and hydrogen trains. For example, it is developing the power electronics for the British operator Vivarail, which is converting diesel trains to hydrogen and battery trains for Britain’s non-electrified railway lines.

Challenge

Strukton is the first railway contractor to make its locomotive fleet sustainable this way. A locomotive used for railway maintenance and renovation requires significant pulling power. In turn, this requires significant traction.

“We are sector frontrunners with this innovation and that is really quite challenging. But we believe in sustainability and in this solution, so we are pressing ahead with it.” Aad Onderwater

Christening

The newly acquired locomotives are in good condition. The locomotives will be given a major overhaul at Strukton’s workshop in Zutphen (NL) and will be extensively tested. In addition, extra facilities will be added, such as GPS. The locomotives will be officially christened after stickering. Strukton is keeping the names secret for the time being.

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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.

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