_2.jpeg)
photo: Wikimedia commons / Public Records Office Victoria / CC0 1.0 UNIVERSAL /Train derailment in Russia
The Russian railway system is experiencing a profound crisis as RZD, a Russian national carrier, struggles with a growing number of locomotives out of service and a critical surplus of freight wagons amid the country's war in Ukraine.
Despite claims of operating at full capacity, the reality reveals shortages in rolling stock and qualified personnel. According to RailFreight, access to new freight wagons has become increasingly restricted, further worsening the challenges facing the industry.
Escalating Issues with Rolling Stock
Reports indicate that the number of mothballed locomotives continues to rise, with RZD asserting that it is functioning at maximum capacity. According to Russian logistics firm Optimalog, there are now over 200 unused locomotives in the Sverdlovsk region, more than 300 in Moscow, and over 60 in Siberia. RZD attributes this dire situation to a dual crisis of inadequate rolling stock and a lack of qualified personnel necessary for locomotive operation.
Read more
Czech Railways recently signed a loan agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for approximately EUR 300 million to modernize its fleet.…
The consequences of these issues are profound, with RZD struggling to maintain adequate transport services due to the inability to keep enough locomotives in active service. Compounding the situation are the sanctions imposed by the international community in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which have restricted access to vital resources and technology. This, coupled with a shortage of labor, has led to a significant decline in freight transport, decreasing by approximately 6 million tonnes per month year-on-year.
Surplus Wagons Complicate Operations
Adding to the operational difficulties is a paradoxical situation where RZD is confronted with a freight wagon's excess. Estimates suggest that over 200,000 surplus trains are on the network, hindering transport efficiency and placing additional strain on existing infrastructure. In response to this overload, measures have been implemented to limit the access of empty wagons to the network, directly impacting the transport of essential commodities, including petroleum products, currently facing blockages.
Concerns Over Military Transport
In addition to operational inefficiencies, recent media reports have surfaced concerning a scandal involving military equipment discovered on trains traveling from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad to Moscow. As we previously reported, Lithuanian customs officials have seized shipments containing military uniforms and camouflage nets intended for use by Russian troops in Ukraine. These incidents have heightened tensions as Lithuania, an ally of Ukraine, seeks to intercept and redirect these items to support Ukrainian forces.
Read more
On November 5, 2024, Dr. Marcin Wojewódka, acting President of PKP CARGO S.A., participated in a debate titled 'European Funds for the Development…
The situation has prompted heightened scrutiny of the railway lines that connect Kaliningrad with Belarus and Russia. Strict controls have been implemented to prevent the transport of military supplies, with concerns about the role of Russian railways in ongoing military operations and the implications of international sanctions aimed at curtailing Russia's military capabilities.
Russia's Focus on Military Might Over Internal Struggles
While Russia struggles with its rail issues, it seems to have plenty of resources to build the Tsar Train, a 30-kilometer-long barrier made up of 2,100 carriages in the Donbas region, as RAILTARGET previously reported. This train is meant to block the Armed Forces of Ukraine and solidify Russia's illegal occupation of Ukrainian land. Reports suggest that the carriages were likely repurposed from seized assets in occupied areas. Instead of fixing internal issues, Russia is once again focusing on creating obstacles to continue its war against Ukraine.
Source: RailFreight; Telegraph; RAILTARGET