The Austrian rail freight operator ÖBB Rail Cargo Group is modernising its fleet with 500 Eanos-y railcars designed for the transport of light, shredded scrap metal. The first 110 units were already in service by the end of July, and the entire fleet is expected to be operational by mid-2027.
The 500 freight railcars are being leased from the rolling stock company MFD Rail and have been developed specifically to meet the requirements of the steel industry and the recycling sector.
Deliveries began in early 2026, and by the end of July, 110 railcars had been put into service.
The new units will gradually replace or supplement older rolling stock, which requires more frequent maintenance.
15% greater load capacity
The Eanos-y series railcars have a load capacity of approximately 95 cubic metres, around 15% greater than that of standard models available on the market.
This increase in volume is particularly important for the transport of light, uncompacted scrap metal. In such cases, the available space in the railcar is utilised before the maximum weight limit is reached.
The new railcars thus allow for more efficient use of the payload of approximately 65 tonnes.
ÖBB Rail Cargo Group and MFD Rail have optimised the railcar body, doors and fastenings, making extensive use of high-strength steels. The robust construction is designed to minimise damage caused during the loading and unloading of scrap metal.
“The increased load capacity and more robust construction enhance transport efficiency. These railcars are an important component of our long-term strategy to improve the availability, economic efficiency and performance of our fleet,” said Bettina Castillo, a member of the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group’s management team.
Each railcar can be tracked via GPS
All 500 railcars will be fitted with telematics systems, including GPS, which enable their precise location to be determined.
The data will be used both for the allocation and management of the railcars and for planning mobile maintenance interventions before any issues affect operations.
“The Eanos-y railcar demonstrates what can be achieved through close collaboration with customers. Together with ÖBB Rail Cargo Group, we have developed a railcar tailored to the requirements of light metal scrap transport,” said Wolfram Bahle, commercial director of MFD Rail.
The railcars have four axles, a useful loading length of approximately 15.8 metres and comply with the European G1 gauge.
They can be used and operated without restriction on the European standard-gauge rail network.
Intended for the steel industry and recycling
The main beneficiaries of the new fleet will be companies in the steel industry, recycling operators and firms involved in the circular economy.
The railcars will transport scrap metal to steelworks and processing centres in Austria and other European countries.
ÖBB Rail Cargo Group believes that demand for such transport will grow as the European steel industry transitions to the production of low-carbon steel and uses greater quantities of recycled metal.
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