Switzerland tightens wagon wheel rules after Gotthard derailment
Switzerland has imposed stricter wagon wheel standards after the Gotthard derailment, creating new compliance challenges for EU freight operators.
The Swiss Federal Office of Transport announced the measures requiring wheelsets to maintain a minimum diameter of 864mm compared to the European standard of 860mm. The rules also mandate stricter inspection cycles depending on wheel size and brake block types.
Gotthard impact drives change
The August 2023 derailment led to thermal overload causing wheel disc fracture, according to Swiss investigators. The tunnel remained closed for nearly 13 months, severely disrupting north-south freight flows through the Alps.
Dual standards challenge operators
The divergence from EU standards raises immediate challenges on key Alpine freight corridors within the Trans-European Transport Network. International operators must now maintain different maintenance regimes for Swiss operations, affecting approximately 200,000 freight wagons regularly transiting Switzerland.
SBB said the measures will "make wagon keepers more responsible and improve safety." Swiss authorities are conducting enforcement checks at border entry points and key transit routes.
Until EU-wide harmonisation is reached, operators face dual regimes that could undermine rail competitiveness versus road transport.