SBB Cargo has placed an order for up to 570 flat wagons and 270 bulk wagons from Slovakian manufacturer Tatravagónka. The first deliveries of the new wagons are expected to start at the end of 2026, with further orders planned for the coming years.
The company intends to consolidate its fleet into just three core wagon types by 2040, with the aim of simplifying maintenance, improving efficiency, and ensuring uniformity across its fleet.
The order includes 200 "Rens" flat wagons, with an option for an additional 370. The "Rens" wagons, designed for transporting a wide range of goods including heavy cargo, steel, bulk materials, and building products, will eventually replace the "Ks", "Rs", and "Res" types currently in service. These four-axle wagons will become the sole flat wagon model in SBB Cargo's portfolio in the medium term. Delivery is scheduled to begin in December 2026.
Additionally, SBB Cargo has ordered 70 "Fans-u" bulk goods wagons, with an option for a further 200. These wagons, suited for transporting materials such as gravel, sand, and excavated soil, will replace older models in the fleet and support construction projects. The new "Fans-u" wagons are lighter than their predecessors, allowing for higher payloads. They are expected to enter service in autumn 2027.
Both the "Rens" and "Fans-u" wagons will be compatible with automatic brake testing and digital automatic coupling and are designed to simplify maintenance by standardizing components. This approach is expected to reduce the need for a wide variety of spare parts and tools, helping to lower operational costs and improve maintenance efficiency.
As part of its long-term fleet strategy, SBB Cargo plans to phase out older, rented, and underperforming wagons. By 2040, the fleet will consist of just three types: the "Rens" flat wagons, "Fans-u" bulk goods wagons, and "Hbbillns" covered wagons. Special wagons will be available to customers on a rental basis or provided directly by customers.
Tatravagonka, a leading European manufacturer of freight wagons, won the contract following a tender process in which six suppliers submitted binding offers. The wagons will be built at Tatravagonka’s facility in Poprad, Slovakia. The procurement volume, including spare parts, is valued in the mid-double-digit million range.
