September 18, 2025
Rail Freight industry consultation on wagon maintenance principles
The rail freight industry is currently being consulted on a major project to set out Key Wagon Maintenance Principles, which has been drafted by industry under a joint initiative between the Freight Safe Programme (FSP) and RSSB.
The stand-alone document which, following the industry consultation, is due for publication in November 2025 and will be further presented to the industry in an RSSB webinar on 08 December. The document has been produced to support Entities in Charge of Maintenance (ECMs) in achieving excellence in maintenance practices and procedures in a cost-effective way. It will also fulfil some of the recommendations in the Railway Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report published in 2022 into the 2020 Llangennech train derailment and fire at Carmarthenshire in Wales.
The group has focussed on:
- The promotion of improved maintenance, instructions, equipment, working conditions, methods and levels of compliance
- How to encourage the effective sharing of safety related information between wagon owners and maintainers
- Quality and management assurance processes that encompass ECM workshops, contractors and suppliers to specialised services
- How to develop the competence of those undertaking maintenance of freight wagons including the ability to spot defects that may affect the safe operation of freight wagons
Competence applies to the whole system of maintenance, and there was a need to provide existing and new ECMs with examples of good practice, also recommended by the RAIB report, which could be adopted to meet the legal requirements for all four ECM functions.
Tim Shakerley, Chair of the Wagon Condition Programme,which is one of the Freight Safe Programme’s key priority projects, said:
“It has taken a lot of hard work, diligence and research to achieve the current position where the Key Wagon Maintenance Principles document is being sent to industry for wider consultation. These principles are intended as an essential guide to those in rail freight who are responsible for the wagons and their maintenance, to plug any gaps in where guidance already exists but is not easily accessible to freight stakeholders. There is a lot of good practice in the sector, and the Key Wagon Maintenance Principles will support industry in their responsibilities under existing guidance and regulations.”
It is intended that the good practice outlined may be used to review and be adopted within the management system of freight ECMs to further improve performance. The content will also be of interest to those interacting with ECMs: wagon builders, owners, suppliers, keepers, freight operating companies, infrastructure managers, regulators and certification bodies.
Critically, the work so far has identified and prioritised where the industry could usefully produce more guidance and support to improve clarity and execution of maintenance of vehicles. A programme of work is being developed to ensure that the continuous improvement and development of guidance continue beyond the publication of the principles document.
Peter Theobald, Rolling Stock Systems Engineer at RSSB, is leading on the Key Wagon Maintenance Principles project, with significant support from James Ambrose at Network Rail.
Mark Oakley, Professional Head of Rolling Stock at RSSB, said:
“This document represents the practical experience of a number of stakeholders from the freight sector. Wagon components degrade through wear and damage, and contain materials, consumables and lubricants that degrade through time and utilisation. Degradation can create circumstances that are hazardous to operating the wagon which can be mitigated by wagon maintenance.
“Wagon maintenance, both preventative and reactive, is crucial for ensuring wagons, their equipment and systems operate safely, efficiently and reliably, extending their lifespan and minimising costly downtime and repairs.
“The Key Wagon Maintenance Principles intend to serve as a useful reminder of the guidance and regulations for all working in this sector of the industry.”
The Key Wagon Maintenance Principles document was sent to industry for consultation on 18, September with a closing date of 02 October prior to the final publication in December.
