NYMWAG Investigated: VPI Highlights Safety Risks, The Hague Questions Welding Practices, ERA Confirms Further Investigation

NYMWAG CS a.s. is under investigation by European railway authorities. According to information obtained by RAILTARGET, an intensive inquiry is underway to uncover not only the cause of cracks in the wagons but also to establish mechanisms to prevent similar safety risks.

The Hague has raised critical concerns in the NYMWAG case. Dutch transport experts suggest the cracks might stem directly from the manufacturing process, with welding identified as a key factor.

"The wagon designs originated from the 1990s and did not exhibit these issues. Therefore, the cause of the cracks is being traced to the specification of welding methods or the execution of the welding work," representatives of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management stated.

This points to manufacturing processes as the likely culprit rather than flaws in the original design. The troubling fact that newer wagons display defects not seen in older versions shifts attention to cost-cutting measures in recent years.

NYMWAG Manufacturing Practices Criticized

NYMWAG's production processes are under fire, with company CEO Petr Vlček admitting to prioritizing rapid growth over meticulous preparation.

"We chose what we now call the 'punk style' because there were two possible ways: the first was to prepare everything, to set up all the processes, to fine-tune everything down to the last detail, which would have taken a year or two. Then slowly start production and reach out to customers. We decided to go the other way and start production as soon as possible and then catch up with everything during the production process," Vlček said in a past interview.

However, inadequacies in process preparation can lead to far-reaching consequences. The German magazine Der Eisenbahner, which first reported the issue, suggested that key welding phases, such as preheating the metal, may have been neglected, significantly affecting weld strength.

Staffing Issues: The Cost of Rapid Expansion

NYMWAG's rapid growth exposed weaknesses in production and personnel management. CEO Vlček admitted during an interview with Railmarket that massive hiring efforts brought complications.

"A lot of people joined, and when you hire a lot, not to generalize, but you also hire bad people, and you need to let them go. Meanwhile, things go wrong—there are complaints and many such issues," he said.

The workforce comprises individuals from 11 different nationalities, with minimal representation from Czech employees. "We hardly have any Czechs working in production. Nymburk isn’t the ideal location—it’s between Kolín and Mladá Boleslav, so most people come from the automotive industry. Work in our company is demanding, so we have 11 nationalities, and of course, it’s challenging," Vlček explained.

While a diverse workforce can be advantageous, it also requires clear communication and training, which must be conducted in employees' native languages to avoid costly errors affecting production quality and safety. Despite this, NYMWAG’s website offers recruitment information only in Czech and English, raising questions about the availability of multilingual materials within the company.

The NYMWAG Case: Beyond Czech Borders

Defective welds in NYMWAG wagons have triggered investigations beyond the Czech Republic. European railway authorities are systematically examining the safety risks. The European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) confirmed ongoing investigations and the activation of the SAIT system, which alerted numerous operators. SAIT facilitates the rapid dissemination of warnings across the railway sector, enabling targeted responses and technical coordination.

The list of affected operators includes prominent companies such as MFD Rail GmbH, Wascosa AG, AMBROGIO TRASPORTI S.P.A., Railrelease BV, G.T.S. – GENERAL TRANSPORT SERVICE S.p.A., TOUAX SCA, and Adria kombi d.o.o.

ERA pointed out that these operators are legally obligated to implement risk control measures and, if necessary, corrective actions to bring vehicles into compliance. They must also inform ERA and relevant national safety authorities about any steps taken.

Targeted Warnings and International Cooperation

ERA issued warnings to all national safety authorities (NSAs) within the EU and Switzerland. The alerts specifically targeted operators and routes where the defective wagons could pose the greatest risk. These focused measures aim to prompt immediate action in high-risk areas.

The investigation, closely monitored by RAILTARGET, may lead to stricter permissions for the wagons if serious issues are identified. Any measures imposed will be thoroughly reviewed to minimize risks to railway safety.

The international dimension of the NYMWAG case underscores its gravity. Actions taken at both national and European levels indicate that the consequences could extend far beyond Czech borders. For NYMWAG, the stakes are high—not just in terms of reputation but also in maintaining business relationships across Europe.

Railway Authorities Call for Action, Czech Agency Under Pressure

The German Wagon Owners' Association VPI confirmed that its members were notified of safety risks linked to NYMWAG wagons via the SAIT system. However, the French railway authority EPSF warned that information alone is insufficient. Wagon owners must collaborate with national regulators to ensure rigorous inspections and mitigate risks. This has placed the Czech Railway Authority under significant international pressure, as the case now concerns the reputation and safety of railway operations across Europe.

Summary of the NYMWAG Case

The NYMWAG case first came to light through the German magazine Der Eisenbahner report, which pointed out technical defects in freight wagon models SGGRSS 80 and SGGMRSS 90, manufactured between 2020 and 2024. The primary issue is cracks in welds, which pose serious safety risks during operation.

More than 1,000 wagons have been delivered to various European railway companies. Reports suggest that cost-cutting measures during production may have compromised material quality or processes. Some cracks were visible to the naked eye, while others required expensive ultrasonic testing.

Polish company EUROWAGON, which owns 168 of these wagons, issued a safety alert via SAIT. The wagons were systematically tested and repaired in collaboration with the manufacturer. EUROWAGON emphasized that adhering to the highest safety standards remains a priority.

This case, which has grown into an international issue, continues to draw attention from European railway authorities. The outcome of ongoing investigations will determine what steps are needed to rectify the situation and whether current manufacturing and quality control standards require adjustments.

Source: NYMWAG; RAILTARGET; Der Eisenbahner, ERA; VPI; RailMarket