As East-West Gate (EWG) continues to strengthen its role as a strategic intermodal hub along the Middle Corridor, its rail operator, EWG Rail, has become a fundamental engine behind the terminal’s growing efficiency, competitiveness and reliability. While the terminal is widely recognised for its advanced digital infrastructure, dual-gauge rail network and cutting-edge, 5G-based technologies, it is EWG Rail that ensures these capabilities translate into real operational performance.
By managing all rail movements, traction, shunting, wagon inspection and train operations management entirely in-house, EWG Rail ensures full operational control. This enables the terminal to function as a fully integrated rail logistics system, rather than merely operating as a conventional transshipment point.
EWG Rail plays a central role in orchestrating daily rail operations, handling train arrivals and departures, traction services, and the complete internal wagon movement and shunting processes. The terminal’s unique infrastructure allows for both broad-gauge (1,520 mm) and standard-gauge (1,435 mm) traffic, enabling efficient east-west transshipment between different rail systems. Thanks to the way the track network is designed, loading, weighing, shunting and inspection operations can take place simultaneously, without interfering with one another, significantly reducing turnaround times.
Digital rail operations seamlessly integrated with terminal logistics
The company’s operational efficiency is reinforced by advanced technologies that are fully integrated into rail processes. The OCR gate automatically identifies wagon numbers and detects damage, while the dynamic rail scale links precise weight data to each wagon. All data is visualised and monitored using the Digital Twin, which provides a real-time graphical representation of wagon positioning, train composition, loading progress and track utilisation. The Kafka-based central data platform connects all subsystems, creating an environment where operations, traction, weighing, customs handling and terminal logistics are coordinated digitally and in real time.
These systems help reduce manual intervention, improve data accuracy, optimise energy use and provide full transparency for operators, dispatchers and customers. This level of digitalisation elevates rail operations from a traditional service function to a strategic pillar of EWG’s intermodal logistics.
Modern fleet, sustainable equipment, independent traction capacity
EWG Rail operates with its own traction capability and professional locomotive staff, enabling the company to respond quickly to changing traffic requirements, ad hoc demand or exceptional transport situations. The fleet consists of 10 locomotives — six electric and four diesel — including both broad- and standard-gauge traction, allowing flexible operation in both transshipment and inland rail transport activities. The company also manages more than 300 wagons, including container flats, hopper wagons, tank wagons and double-pocket wagons suitable for trailer and semi-trailer transport.
A major development in 2024–2025 was the introduction of 60 Wascosa Green Freight grain wagons and 60 Green Tank wagons. Their lower tare weight and higher payload significantly reduce unit fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, improving transport sustainability while boosting efficiency by nearly 15 per cent. These additions underscore the company’s commitment to modernisation and environmentally conscious rail logistics.
EWG Rail’s operations extend beyond the terminal, reaching national routes across Hungary and international transit corridors leading to key European logistics hubs and ports. With the growing volume of east–west and north–south rail freight flows, the company is assuming an increasingly significant role in the European integration of rail cargo transport.
Human expertise, safety standards and reliable performance
Behind the digital platforms and modern rolling stock is a dedicated team of 40 rail professionals. This includes locomotive drivers, shunting supervisors, wagon inspectors, dispatchers and technical specialists who collaborate to ensure the smooth execution of traction, inspection and terminal rail operations. Safety is ensured through a carefully structured regulatory framework, advanced signalling and monitoring systems, and regular technical training adapted to evolving operational needs.
The company’s integrated operational model — combining infrastructure, digital systems, rolling stock and skilled personnel — creates a highly efficient, predictable and resilient service environment. It enables faster turnaround, higher accuracy in cargo handling, reduced operational risk and steady service quality for customers.
As the logistics market increasingly requires reliability, traceability and decarbonisation, EWG Rail’s capabilities align with both current and future expectations. By operating at the intersection of traction services, digital resource management and integrated intermodal logistics, EWG Rail provides EWG with a competitive advantage that extends far beyond infrastructure.