Railway Undertakings send the contents of their consignment and wagon notes to ORFEUS, which then distributes this data to other carriers involved in the transport. The CIM/CUV notes still exist in paper form and accompany the wagons.
The data is exchanged between RUs via ORFEUS in structured electronic format and serves as an Electronic Consignment Note (ECN). In this case, no paper document is issued or transported.
Multiple messaging scenarios exist, depending on whether the transport is carried out in the traditional way or as a paperless Electronic Consignment Note (ECN).
The current ORFEUS message structure supports 100% of CIM consignment note or CUV wagon note data and complies with CIT standards for electronic consignment notes.
ORFEUS supports several message versions simultaneously and converts between them automatically.
Messages use modern XML format and are transmitted via a provided FTP client or REST API, preferably over the Hermes VPN.
RailData offers remote operational support for ORFEUS Users and coordinates with the technical providers responsible for service components.
A dedicated web-based tool linked to ORFEUS enables authorized Users to search and analyze sent and received messages for operational and support purposes.
Consignment data is entered only once. This eliminates the need for re-entering or collecting data during handovers, reducing the risk of data loss or errors.
The data can be used for various operational tasks during rail transport, such as resource planning, production steering, and electronic invoicing.
Using an Electronic Consignment Note eliminates the need to print, issue, and transport paper documents, leading to significant cost and process efficiency gains.
RUs only need to implement and maintain one standardized interface, instead of multiple bilateral solutions. Data is available immediately after being forwarded by the first carrier.
ORFEUS Users may be RailData members, but membership is not mandatory. New Users must begin sending data to ORFEUS within one year of joining.
User fees are set annually to cover operational costs. Standard fees reflect both usage volume and technical interface type. A special low entry fee is available for small Users.
Railway Undertakings interested in becoming ORFEUS Users should contact RailData for further information. Applications must be approved by the ORFEUS Assembly.
RailData’s Terms of Reference and the ORFEUS User Agreement define the following conditions for ORFEUS Users:
Is an active freight Railway Undertaking
Uses in any way the ORFEUS application
Has a RICS code
Accepts, signs and fulfills the ORFEUS User Agreement
Pays the ORFEUS usage fees
Delivers at least minimum data to ORFEUS
Nominates a contact person
UIC (International Union of Railways)
16 rue Jean Rey, Paris, France F-75015
