SBB Cargo has announced plans to modernize its freight wagon fleet, placing an order for up to 570 flat wagons and 270 bulk wagons from Slovakian manufacturer Tatravagonka. The initiative aims to streamline the company’s rolling stock by reducing wagon types to three, ensuring standardized logistics across freight operations and simplifying maintenance processes. Deliveries of the first wagons are scheduled to begin in late 2026.
The overhaul is part of SBB Cargo’s long-term strategy to fully renew its rolling stock by 2040. The new flat wagons, designated as “Rens,” and bulk wagons, labeled “Fans-u,” mark the first phase of this modernization effort. According to Raphael Weber, procurement project manager at SBB Cargo, “This is the first of two tranches aimed at upgrading our freight wagon fleet. A second phase will focus on acquiring new covered wagons.”
Features of the new wagons
The “Rens” flat wagons, with 200 units already ordered and an option for an additional 370, offer versatile transport capabilities. Equipped with standard side and end wall flaps, these wagons are suitable for heavy goods, steel products, bulk materials, and construction supplies. Over time, they will replace the existing “Ks,” “Rs,” and “Res” wagons.
SBB Cargo has also placed a firm order for 70 “Fans-u” bulk wagons, with an option for 200 more. These wagons are designed for transporting gravel, sand, and excavated materials, featuring reduced weight for increased payload capacity. The “Fans-u” wagons are expected to enter service in autumn 2027, replacing older models and supplementing fleets used in construction projects.
Both wagon types are equipped with features such as automatic brake testing and digital automatic coupling, aligning with modern maintenance practices. Components, including bogies and brakes, have been standardized across new wagons to optimize maintenance processes. “By reducing the variety of tools and spare parts needed, we can lower costs and maintain the fleet more efficiently,” Weber explained.
Standardizing the SBB Cargo wagons fleet
Currently, SBB Cargo operates a fleet of approximately 4,400 wagons spanning 16 types. By 2040, this will be consolidated into three primary wagon models: “Rens,” “Fans-u,” and the covered “Hbbillns” type. Specialized wagons outside this trio will be sourced from customers or rented to meet specific needs. This standardization is expected to enhance logistics uniformity and operational efficiency across SBB Cargo’s freight operations.
SBB Cargo conducted an invitation-only tender for this procurement, as the company is exempt from public procurement regulations. Of the 21 suppliers initially contacted, six submitted bids, and two were shortlisted. The contract was awarded to Tatravagonka, a leading European freight wagon manufacturer based in Slovakia. The wagons will be produced at Tatravagonka’s Poprad facility, with the fixed-order procurement volume, including spare parts, falling in the mid-double-digit million range.
This investment underscores SBB Cargo’s commitment to advancing rail freight capabilities, ensuring its fleet is modern, efficient, and prepared for the future of freight transport.
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