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ISR – Wagon Status & Tracing

ISR – Wagon Status & Tracing

A common platform for railway undertakings to collect and exchange information about freight wagon movements in international traffic, ensuring data availability and flow.

About ISR

What is ISR?
ISR stands for International Service Reliability. It is an information system developed and operated by RailData. As a shared tool used by ISR Railway Undertakings, it enables the centralized collection and exchange of information on freight wagon movements in international traffic. The system allows tracking of both loaded and empty freight wagons and consignments across a significant part of Europe.

ISR Functions

Wagon Status

ISR registers the position and status of freight wagons. Railway Undertakings (RUs) involved in the wagon’s transport, or currently responsible for it, can view or retrieve information about its location and status. Data is available via the ISR Web Center or is automatically delivered to ISR Users through electronic messages. Event data is stored for two months, covering many different types of wagon events.

Train Running

Information on freight train movements is stored in the RTIS database (Running Train Information System). It is mainly used for advanced wagon tracking based on real-time train positions. RTIS also provides train run data to RUs via a web interface and data messages.

Wagon Performance

ISR collects wagon performance data (in kilometers) from selected RUs and estimates traveled distances for others using an internal calculation engine. This data is sent to interested Users and wagon keepers via the GCU Broker.

Experienced Plan

Once a transport is completed, part of the transport description, along with the first and last event, is used to generate an Experienced Transport Plan (ETP). For future transports on the same route and weekday, ETPs help estimate the expected arrival time (ETA).

How It Works

The main source of wagon status information is the systems of Railway Undertakings, which register wagons in their trains and send wagon movement data to ISR
A subset of consignment note data is imported from ORFEUS to create the Transport Description. Additionally, ISR receives train movement data from the Train Information System operated by RailNetEurope.

Central Data Management (CDS) handles the reception, validation, conversion, and storage of all messages. Data such as wagon movements, transport descriptions, and train running information is stored in the ISR and RTIS databases. Registered Users can search and view this data via the ISR Web Center. Access to ISR and RTIS data is regulated by strict filtering rules, based on the RU’s role in the transport and its relation to the wagon. Each RU remains responsible for maintaining contact with its own customers.

ISR Users also receive wagon movement updates from other participating RUs via Wagon Status Messages, which are forwarded by CDS.

These messages use modern XML format and can be transmitted using a provided FTP client or REST API, preferably over the Hermes VPN.

RailData provides remote operational support for ISR Users and coordinates with the individual technical providers responsible for different parts of the service.

ISR Benefits

Information

Up-to-date position data for customers – improved service transparency and communication.

Tracking

Reliable tracking of wagons – including real-time position and historical event data.

Management

Fleet optimization – efficient management of empty wagon flows.

Maintenance

Support for wagon maintenance – based on performance and distance metrics.

Users

Hundreds of thousands of freight wagons are monitored with ISR
On average, around 780,000 wagon events are reported to ISR daily. Annually, the system processes more than 280 million wagon events.
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Transfesa
(spain)
2154
ČD Cargo
(czechia)
2155
Rail Cargo Hungary
(hungary)
2156
ZSSK Cargo
(slovakia)
2171
Renfe Mercancías
(spain)
2174
Green Cargo
(sweden)
2179
SŽ-Tovorni promet
(slovenia)
2180
DB Cargo
(germany)
2181
Rail Cargo Austria
(austria)
2182
CFL cargo
(luxembourg)
2183
Mercitalia Rail
(italy)
2184
DB Cargo Netherlands
(netherlands)
2185
SBB Cargo
(switzerland)
2186
DB Cargo Scandinavia
(denmark)
2187
Hexafret
(france)
2188
Lineas
(belgium)
2380
DB Cargo Italy
(italy)
3100
DB Cargo Poland
(poland)
3146
DB Cargo Romania
(romania)
3187
DB Cargo France
(france)
3220
Lineas France
(france)
3247
DB Cargo Bulgaria
(bulgaria)
3273
Railtraxx
(belgium)
3276
Lineas Intermodal
(belgium)
3743
Continental Rail
(spain)

How to Join ISR

ISR User fees are set annually to cover operational costs. Standard fees reflect both the level of usage and the type of technical interface. A special low entry fee is available for small Users. Railway Undertakings interested in becoming ISR Users should contact RailData for further details. Membership applications must be approved by the ISR Assembly.

RailData’s Terms of Reference and the ISR User Agreement define the conditions for ISR Users:

Is an active freight Railway Undertaking

Uses in any way the ISR application

Has a RICS 
code

Accepts, signs and fulfills the ISR User Agreement

Pays the ISR usage fees

Delivers at least minimum data to ISR

Nominates a contact person