The first operational freight wagons to be equipped with VTG Rail UK Ltd’s iWagon technology entered service on the UK’s rail network on 7 April 2025, marking a significant milestone in the future of rail freight. Heidelberg Materials UK has become the first company to adopt the iWagon and engineers began retrofitting the system to its entire fleet of JPA wagons at Heidelberg Materials’ Ribblesdale Cement Works at Clitheroe on 4 April and Padeswood from 7 April.
The wagons are leased from VTG Rail UK and Heidelberg Materials has also placed an order with VTG for an additional 35 new build JPA wagons, all of which will be fitted with iWagon technology. This commitment means Heidelberg Materials’ entire JPA wagon fleet will be fitted with iWagon. The cutting-edge technology includes wheel slide protection and real-time tracking and was developed by dedicated engineers and innovators from VTG Rail UK and Knorr-Bremse Rail UK&I. It integrates state-of-the-art sensors, data analytics and automation to improve safety, increase performance and the reliability of rail freight wagons.
Marc Hurn, managing director of VTG Rail UK, said: “Seeing the first iWagons roll onto the UK rail network is a very proud moment for everyone involved in its development. I congratulate Heidelberg Materials UK for becoming the first of many companies to be operating wagons with this game-changing technology.
“It marks a significant milestone in the UK rail freight industry and sets a new standard. The iWagon gives our customers enhanced safety, performance and reliability of rail freight wagons and allows for cost efficiencies in the commercial environment.”
Clare Soper, operations director, UK Supply Chain Cement Distribution for Heidelberg Materials UK, said: "It is very exciting that Heidelberg Materials is the first company in the world to adopt the iWagon technology and I am looking forward to seeing the wheel protection and additional data that is produced.
“We are passionate about safety at Heidelberg Materials and so adopting VTG’s iWagon system was a no brainer for us. It is clear this technology will make our fleet even safer by giving us critical data to prevent incidents from happening in the future and to further increase operational performance.”
Several other major UK operators, including: Breedon Group, Tarmac, and Alvance British Aluminium, have already placed orders for iWagon technology, underlining growing industry momentum for smarter, safer, and more efficient rail freight.
