NYMWAG Controversy: Wascosa Puts Safety First

The investigation into NYMWAG CS’s railcars is ongoing, with industry leaders weighing in on safety concerns. Wascosa and Railtrans Wagon, two key players utilizing these freight wagons, reaffirm their commitment to rigorous inspections and compliance standards.

The investigation into SGGRSS80 and SGGMRSS90 railcars is still ongoing, and RAILTARGET reached out to other railway operators using these wagons to gather their opinions. Wascosa and Railtrans Wagon, two significant industry players that include NYMWAG railcars in their fleets, provided their responses and insights into the current situation.

Wascosa: Safety Comes First

Swiss rail freight company Wascosa, a key player in the European market, stresses that safety is its top priority. The company confirms that all railcars in its fleet, including those manufactured by NYMWAG CS a.s., undergo regular and rigorous safety checks.

"Ensuring the safety of our operations is our utmost priority. That’s why we carry out continuous inspections of all railcars we operate, including those from NYMWAG," stated Jan Keiser, Head of Marketing and Communications at Wascosa AG.

Railtrans Wagon: Safety and Technical Standards Are Key

Railtrans Wagon, a subsidiary of Railtrans International a.s., also responded to RAILTARGET’s inquiries, stating that NYMWAG remains its preferred supplier.

"Railtrans Wagon has been operating in the railway market for over 10 years, specializing in wagon leasing and maintenance in full compliance with applicable regulations. In the railway sector, safety is paramount, which is why we meticulously inspect and verify the technical condition of all new wagons upon delivery. Based on these thorough evaluations and rigorous quality controls, NYMWAG remains our preferred supplier," stated Katarína Magdechová, Head of Wagon Fleet Department at RTI and RTIW.

Ongoing Issues with NYMWAG CS Railcars

The controversy surrounding SGGRSS80 and SGGMRSS90 railcars from Czech manufacturer NYMWAG CS a.s. arose following safety concerns regarding alleged welding defects. These technical issues led multiple national railway authorities, including Poland’s UTK, to initiate formal investigations.

The European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) issued a Safety Alert Information Transmission (SAIT) notice to multiple European countries. This triggered an extraordinary inspection conducted by the Czech Railway Authority (Drážní úřad) at NYMWAG’s Nymburk production facility, as part of the Market Surveillance Supervision process. Following this, an additional Quality Supervision Review was carried out by the Notified Body (NoBo), the Railway Research Institute (VÚŽ).

Although the investigation is still ongoing, some railway operators that use these potentially problematic wagons emphasize the positive aspects of their collaboration with NYMWAG, highlighting their consistent quality controls and adherence to regulatory standards.