Great British Railways (GBR) will stop treating train leasing as the default for new fleets, a model that cost franchised operators £2.7bn in leases from rolling stock companies in 2024-25.
VTG has agreed to sell its UK wagon leasing business to pension scheme USS, with around 4,500 vehicles included and completion expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Luxembourg-based lessor Nexrail has ordered 20 more DE18 Smart Hybrid locomotives from Vossloh Rolling Stock for delivery in 2027, taking its fleet of the hybrid type to 50.
In Germany, Netzwerkbahn Sachsen now lists three Traxx Universal last-mile locomotives from Alstom in its fleet, all class 188 machines equipped for short runs beyond the catenary.
In the United Kingdom, VTG signed an agreement for the VTG Rail UK sale to USS, a transaction covering roughly 4,500 freight vehicles and expected to close in Q4 2026.
USA: Railcars near retirement could total about 200,000 across North America over the next few years, while high lease utilization and restrained production leave little spare capacity.
GERMANY: The first two car bodies for 14 Stadler FLIRT Akku trains are complete, advancing Akiem's first German passenger rolling stock lease toward a December 2027 launch.
UNITED KINGDOM: South Western Railway is overhauling its ageing Class 158/159 diesels while a five-year lease covering 39 units runs to 2030, engine and wheelset failures cut availability, and the replacement plan remains tied to a forthcoming national strategy.
INTERNATIONAL: European Loc Pool has ordered 20 more Stadler EuroDual locomotives, lifting its fleet to 144 and specifying approvals for Germany, Austria, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia.
AUSTRIA: ÖBB Rail Cargo Group is adding 500 new Eanos-y wagons for scrap metal transport, providing 15% more loading volume as the operator modernises its European freight fleet.
SWITZERLAND: LLOB will add two Euro9000 locomotives to its fleet in August 2026, expanding traction capacity for domestic freight work and cross-border operations in four neighbouring countries.
INTERNATIONAL: European locomotive deliveries have added EuroDual, Dragon 2 and Vectron units to freight fleets serving Germany, Poland and the Baltic region through leasing agreements involving three rolling-stock owners.
