Russian Railways is proposing to eliminate 170,000 rail cars as part of a broader strategy to boost cargo movement efficiency by trimming unnecessary rolling stock. An executive from the company, who leads the traffic control central directorate, indicated that these 170,000 wagons represent a substantial portion of the public rail fleet and removing them could significantly improve maneuverability and overall freight performance on the network.
According to the official, the rail system could operate with a leaner fleet by coordinating production and maintenance around optimal car counts. He noted that refurbishment of rolling stock is progressing more quickly than the rate at which older cars wear out, suggesting that limiting the size of the fleet could help stabilize transport conditions and speed up shipments. The plan includes expanding the number of locations where empty cars can be gathered and processed to around 160 stations, which is aimed at maximizing flow and minimizing idle time on the rails.
The executive also mentioned that surplus wagons could be temporarily parked on industrial rail transport tracks. However, it is often more practical for wagon owners to keep these cars on the public network. To incentivize owners to participate in the consolidation effort, there is consideration of adjusting pricing signals to reflect the value of using public rail infrastructure for idle cars and to encourage a shift toward more efficient use of the rail system.
In a recent industry communication, Russian Railways outlined plans to maximize the movement of high-capacity wagons toward key export corridors, with a focus on accelerating freight transfers to eastern ranges. The objective is to speed up the export process by leveraging the increased carrying capacity of select wagons and routes, thereby improving overall export logistics and throughput on critical corridors. This approach aligns with a broader push to optimize asset utilization and reduce bottlenecks within the rail network. [Source: internal industry briefing attributed to Russian Railways officials]