Recent deals and tenders in the freight car market.
South Africa — India’s Texmaco Rail has won contracts to supply 2,235 freight wagons and 30 diesel locomotives to the country. The deals, signed with freight operators Tsiko Africa Logistics and Barberry Holdings, are worth $430 mln in total. Delivery is scheduled for 2027–2028, and the contracts also cover 15 years of maintenance. Texmaco Rail is primarily a wagon builder and has no publicly confirmed track record in locomotive manufacturing.
Algeria — National operator SNTF has ordered 800 freight wagons from domestic manufacturer Ferrovial. The contract is worth approximately DZD 14 bln ($140 mln). The phosphate wagons are expected to enter service in 2027 on the 422 km line between Djebel Onk and Annaba.
USA — Intramotev is to supply self-propelled wagons with its TugVolt technology to US freight operator R. J. Corman Railroad. The size of the order has not been disclosed. The wagons will operate on the 180 km Memphis Line. Intramotev has already announced TugVolt deliveries to two other US freight operators, Watco and Carmeuse, and in Europe the technology has been ordered by Rail Cargo Austria.
Rebuilt MWA-C gondola wagon from Heavy Haul Rail’s fleet. Source: Porterbrook
UK — Leasing company Porterbrook has delivered 76 rebuilt MWA-C gondola wagons to freight operator Heavy Haul Rail. The wagons were converted from HHA-type hoppers previously used to carry coal. Work began in December 2024 at the WH Davis plant in Mansfield, with the bogies, brake equipment and other reusable components retained from the original wagons. The lighter MWA-C wagons will now move construction materials and other bulk traffic on the UK network.
Mineral hopper wagons from Ruzkhimmash for Akron. Source: Akron
Russia — Mineral fertiliser producer Acron has acquired 53 mineral hopper wagons with a 25 t axle load from Ruzkhimmash (part of RM Rail). The wagon model has not been disclosed. Acron states that the wagons have a payload of 77 t and a service life of 32 years. These specifications match the 19-1273-02 wagons. The photograph also shows the hopper fitted with the 18-9891 bogie, which RM Rail developed itself.
Zacens-type tank wagons from Türasaş. Source: Türasaş
Türkiye — Türasaş will build 41 Zacens-type tank wagons for the Turkish Ministry of National Defence, to be used for fuel transport. The wagons will be produced at the company’s Sivas plant. Türasaş has already delivered nine similar tank wagons to the ministry, and is also fulfilling a contract for 100 UAIS-type flat wagons for transporting military vehicles. These will be operated by both the Turkish Armed Forces and national operator TCDD.
