One of the work streams of Sundsvall in SMARTSET was to investigate a business case and to demonstrate a rail freight transport using so called last mile locomotives.
This type of locos can operate both on electrified and non-electrified lines. This enables them to get freight and do shunting on yards. Today you have to switch to diesel locos to perform these tasks which presents a major cost disincentive for the development of the rail freight business. Sundsvall has together with the SMARTSET project affiliated rail operator Rush Rail surveyed the supplier market for a suitable loco that could be tested in a real life business case. However the lead times on deliveries of prototypes are long and it will not be possible to conduct a last mile trial before the end of SMARTSET.
The good news is that Bombardier will build a number of last mile locos for the leasing company Railpool. The operator Rush Rail has a continued interest in acquiring last mile locos when the time comes for procurement of new traction. The Finnish state rail operator has already together with an option ordered 82 last mile locos from Siemens. They are replacing parts of their present Sr1 loco fleet.