Cargo Wagon Gains In-House Inspection Authority, Boosting Efficiency
Cargo Wagon has been authorized by the Slovak Ministry of Transport to conduct technical inspections (TI) of own freight wagons. This move is set to improve the availability and quality of maintenance for our leased fleet.
While common railway regulations across Europe ensure the safety and operational standards of trains, Slovakia has a specific legal requirement for regular “technical inspections” of all registered rail vehicles, as outlined in the Railways Act and a related decree. These inspections, mandated every 3 to 6 years depending on the wagon type, are often carried out during scheduled maintenance.
Our decision to seek authorization for our technicians to perform these technical inspections is driven by our long-term experience in the field of leasing and maintenance of railway wagons. According to Marek Fodor, Head of Cargo Wagon’s Technical Team, “Efficient and fast maintenance is crucial for our leased wagons. By being able to perform these technical inspections directly in our contracted repair shops, we can significantly cut down on maintenance times and reduce operational costs.”
The benefits of Cargo Wagon’s new authorization include:
- Faster Wagon Availability: Our technicians can now perform the mandatory technical inspections immediately after maintenance work is completed. This streamlined process allows for faster coordination of inspections, customer acceptance, and the return of wagons to service, meaning less downtime for clients.
- Enhanced Expertise: To gain and maintain the authority to conduct technical inspections, Cargo Wagon’s designated wagon inspectors undergo rigorous professional training every six months and must pass a comprehensive exam every three years. This ensures a high level of expertise within the company.
- Wider Workshop Flexibility and Improved Quality: The authorization allows us to conduct technical inspections in any workshop equipped with the necessary technology. Our technicians will consistently oversee that all maintenance and measurements adhere to Slovak legal requirements. Leveraging our experience with workshops across Europe, we aim to standardize maintenance procedures and guarantee high-quality repairs for our customers.
Our goal is to improve constantly, and therefore we always aim to tailor our services to individual needs and requirements of our customer. The quality of maintenance closely relates to the quality of information sharing. “Through our digital platform,” adds Marek Fodor, “we keep customers informed about completed maintenance, exchange feedback on any damage occurring during operation, and provide updates on maintenance procedures.”
For Cargo Wagon, obtaining the authorization to perform technical inspections is a significant step towards optimizing our operations and offering clients more efficient and faster wagon maintenance services. We believe this will ultimately lead to even better service quality and a stronger market position.
