05/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending EUR 200 million to Mitsui Rail Capital Europe BV, a subsidiary of the Mitsui & Co., Ltd. group, to establish a pool of about 200 locomotives to be offered for lease to European rail service operators. Through the addition of financing capacity through leasing, the project will increase the availability and flexibility of locomotives for train operator companies throughout the European railway sector in which the average fleet age for locomotives is some 30 years. The project should stimulate the competitiveness of the rail sector and is also expected to encourage additional rail services both from existing and new rail operators across the enlarged EU.