Industry Knowledge | KATS GmbH – Railway Expertise

GLOSSARY

The Most Important Railway Terms

Navigate the language of rail transport. Our glossary explains the key terms clearly and in practical context.

B Brake test

Verification of a train’s braking function before departure by qualified personnel.

C Capacity bottleneck

Bottleneck on the rail network when paths are highly utilized – common during engineering works.

C Consignment note

Document governing details of rail freight transport (similar to a delivery note).

D Diversionary traffic

Train movements on alternative routes due to works, disruptions or replanning.

D Driver’s cab

Workplace of the train driver in the locomotive.

E EBU (railway operations company)

General term for a railway operations operator, often used synonymously with RU (railway undertaking).

F Freight Village (GVZ)

Logistics hub connected to road and rail for intermodal transshipment.

I Industrial siding

Track connecting an industrial facility directly to the rail network (non-public, but approved).

L Light engine movement (LZ)

Movement of a locomotive without wagons – e.g., to the point of use (light engine = LZ).

L Load distribution

Rule-compliant distribution of weight across a freight train’s axles to avoid overload.

N NVR number

Official operational number of a locomotive or wagon, registered EU-wide.

R Remote control / control technology

Central supervision and control of rail traffic, e.g., via operations control centers (dispatch).

R RID

Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (part of GGVSEB).

R Route knowledge

Knowledge of specific routes (signals, gradients, etc.) – prerequisite for independent operations.

S Safety Management System (SMS)

System for ensuring operational safety; prerequisite for a railway undertaking’s operating permit.

S Small shunting locomotive

Low-power locomotive for shunting on short distances or within plants.

T Train driver (Tf)

Train driver with specialized training and authorization to operate trains.

T Train path

Time- and location-defined route on the rail network that must be booked with the infrastructure manager.

T Train tracking

Real-time monitoring of a train’s location and status by dispatch or the control center.

W Wagon inspection G

Technical inspection of a wagon before departure for safety, condition, loading, etc.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everything You Want to Know About KATS

Find answers to the most important questions about our services and rail logistics in general.

What requirements must a company meet to operate as a railway undertaking (RU)?

To operate freight trains in Germany as a railway undertaking (RU), a company needs an official licence under §6 AEG as well as Parts A and B of the safety certificate from the Federal Railway Authority (EBA). These documents confirm that the company has a complete safety management system (SMS) and meets operational requirements.

KATS GmbH currently does not hold its own RU licence or its own rolling stock, but provides experienced train drivers on behalf of other railway undertakings (RUs). In the future, KATS plans to become a railway undertaking itself to offer traction services, dispatching and wagon master services directly.

How does dispatching typically work — and does KATS already offer it?

Dispatching covers the operational control of rail services: path management, train monitoring, driver and locomotive allocation, and incident management.

KATS does not yet offer the full scope of dispatching and is building an in‑house 24/7 operations control centre step by step. The goal is to provide dispatching services for partner RUs and industrial sidings. Our team already schedules driver assignments, cooperates with partner RUs and actively supports projects — building solid experience for scaling this area.

What is the difference between a shunting movement and a train movement — and how does KATS support?

A train movement is a scheduled, path‑bound service on the public network. A shunting movement takes place within stations or industrial sidings, usually without a booked path.

KATS currently does not run its own train or shunting movements due to not owning vehicles. We provide qualified train drivers who can be deployed via certified RUs — including for shunting tasks. KATS plans to offer a complete shunting service in future, including dispatching and staffing.

Why switch from road to rail freight — even if KATS does not (yet) operate its own trains?

Rail freight causes significantly lower CO₂ emissions than road transport and is often more cost‑effective over long distances. One freight train can replace up to 52 trucks — easing pressure on roads and the environment.

KATS does not currently operate its own trains but cooperates with experienced RUs and provides qualified personnel such as train drivers. We also advise customers on entering rail logistics — e.g., path ordering, terminal connections and managing the road‑to‑rail transition.

How quickly can KATS provide a train driver or a wagon inspector?

KATS GmbH can already deploy qualified train drivers nationwide at short notice — often within a few hours. Our drivers have the required route knowledge, up‑to‑date training and undergo regular checks.

The wagon inspector service is currently being prepared. Our goal is to offer certified wagon inspectors nationwide in the near future to support RUs and shippers on site with brake tests and wagon inspections.

How does KATS support intermodal solutions without its own trains?

Even without its own locomotives, KATS adds value to intermodal chains: providing qualified drivers, understanding terminal processes, and advising on rail logistics project planning.

Together with partner RUs we organise the rail leg of combined transport — e.g., first‑mile from the plant to the terminal or last‑mile delivery from the terminal to the unloading point.

What types of goods can KATS handle — including dangerous goods?

KATS does not carry out transports itself because it does not own locomotives. Our drivers are trained to handle a wide range of cargo — including dangerous goods in line with RID and GGVSEB requirements.

In cooperation with certified RUs, we can perform services on request. Our long‑term goal is to operate as an RU and run transports under our own safety framework.

What is path ordering — and why doesn’t KATS currently do it itself?

Path ordering is the formal booking of a time slot and route on the public rail network — in Germany usually with DB Netz AG. It is necessary so that a train can be planned and operated without conflicts.

KATS currently has no traction licence and therefore may not order paths. We explain the process and required data to our customers and work closely with partner RUs who carry out the booking.

Why doesn’t KATS currently offer shunting or train services directly?

Running train or shunting movements requires own rolling stock, operating approvals and a safety certification. KATS is currently focused on personnel provision — in particular train drivers — and on process advisory.

Over time KATS is building the prerequisites to offer shunting and full train movements under its own name. Customers will then benefit from an integrated package including personnel, dispatching and later vehicles.

How does KATS already ensure quality and safety despite a limited scope?

Although KATS does not yet operate its own tractions or trains, we apply the highest quality and safety standards to personnel selection. All drivers are fully certified, regularly trained and checked in line with legal requirements.

Future business areas — such as dispatching services, wagon inspection and operational management — will be developed in strict compliance with EBA requirements. We value transparency, expertise and cooperation with reliable partners to guarantee safe and efficient rail operations.

Your Guide to Rail Logistics