NYMWAG Under Investigation: First Inspection Conducted Amid Welding Defect Concerns

The first of two inspections at NYMWAG CS’s manufacturing plant in Nymburk took place yesterday, February 26, 2025, according to RAILTARGET.

NYMWAG has faced increased attention in recent months over reported welding issues on its freight wagons, sparking questions about safety and manufacturing standards. In response, the Czech Rail Authority ordered an extraordinary inspection at the Nymburk facility. Today's inspection falls under the category of Market Surveillance, aimed at ensuring that only products meeting strict safety standards are introduced to railway operations. The review focused not only on the final products but also on whether NYMWAG adheres to approved technological procedures and safety regulations.

No official conclusions have been released yet, but according to RAILTARGET sources, inspectors prioritized examining welding processes, which have been at the center of controversy. The weld defects in SGGRSS80 and SGGMRSS90 models triggered widespread safety concerns, leading to this investigation.

Second Inspection Scheduled for Next Week

The next inspection is set for March 6, 2025, but unlike today's extraordinary audit, it will be a regular biennial quality audit for railway manufacturers. This process will be overseen by a notified body (NoBo)—specifically, the Railway Research Institute (VÚŽ). This upcoming inspection will focus on quality oversight, assessing technological procedures and compliance with prescribed production standards.

Recap: How NYMWAG Came Under Pressure

As RAILTARGET previously reported, issues with NYMWAG CS’s production quality surfaced in 2024, when it was revealed that SGGRSS80 and SGGMRSS90 freight wagons had welding defects. The situation escalated when Polish freight operator EUROWAGON, which owns 168 of these wagons, issued a safety warning via the SAIT system. This alert triggered a large-scale investigation at both national and European levels. Regulatory authorities, including the Polish rail authority UTK, got involved, even warning of a possible suspension of NYMWAG wagons from operation.

While NYMWAG has yet to issue an official statement, EUROWAGON CEO Adam Butryn recently stated that safety and quality cannot be compromised. The company has taken its own steps to analyze and address the issue in collaboration with NYMWAG.