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Private Freight Wagons (called P-Wagons for short) are railway wagons developed, built and managed by private operators. In a close working relationship with shippers and railways, the owners of P-wagons have provided a response to the need for tailor made distribution services throughout the 20th century. They finance and maintain by their own means a very large wagon fleet and free the railways of substantial investment and maintenance costs. Major innovations are brought about by private wagon development in European countries. Without these customized wagons the large scale bulk transport of chemical products, petroleum products or foodstuffs is inconceivable. With innovative wagon types, complete new markets have been found for the railway transport.
The relation between the wagon keeper and the railway undertakings (RUs) using the wagon, was marked in the past by integration of the wagons into the fleet of UIC RUs. As consequence of the liberalisation this relationship is now superseded by a new type of contract, the “General Contract of Use” (GCU). The GCU was developed, after several years of negotiations, by UIP and the RUs (UIC and ERFA). The GCU offers detailed regulations concerning the assessment and handling of damage on rail freight wagons that are being used as well as the associated obligations, regarding conduct, maintenance and information duties of the wagon keepers and railway undertakings involved. Wagon keepers and RUs can join the GCU by stating this to the GCU Office which was established in Brussels on 2007.After having joined the GCU its terms apply automatically each
time a freight wagon, the keeper of which is a GCU member, is actually used by a RU, which has joined GCU as well. P-Wagons are conceived to best meet the nature of the various industrial markets and the goods to be carried. As a result, the size and dimensions are governed by the merchandise of each different sector. Conditions for loading and unloading have to be considered. An optimal commercial use has to be achieved with due consideration to the Load/Tare ratio. Maximum operating safety has to be offered, especially in the case of hazardous cargo.
As a consequence to the foregoing there exists a wide range of specialised equipment. National and international rules governing the movement of these vehicles have to be adhered to. The maintenance and supervision of wagons is a specialist task and modifications often have to be effected to P-Wagons to meet market demands. Since the end of the last century, the P-Wagon has consistently exemplified the commitment of private investment to the European railway system. For decades, it has been the only "market force" active within the system. This market force is represented by more than 350 commercial enterprises that own, operate, use, maintain and develop specialised wagons in free competition on a European level. All this occurs without any public subsidies.
Nearly half of rail-borne freight is carried in P-Wagons, so that operators of P-Wagons continue to be instrumental in opening up new markets for rail through their strong dynamism and sense of service, demonstrating a high capacity for innovation. Since 95% of hazardous goods moved on rail are carried in P-Wagons, their operators have developed an unrivalled knowledge of safe and environmentally sound practices. In co-operation with shippers, wagon manufacturers and railways, P-wagon operators are continuously developing new rolling stock, suited to the particular requirements of industry. Below is an summary of some of the major innovations brought about by wagon development in various countries:
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