FreightControl Sentinel agreement between Knorr-Bremse and VTG Rail UK
posted on 21st Nov 2025 08:35
Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems UK and VTG Rail UK have signed a long-term framework agreement for the exclusive supply of Knorr-Bremse’s advanced FreightControl Sentinel system - the backbone of VTG’s award winning iWagon platform. The agreement marks a major milestone in the digitalisation of rail freight and reinforces the long-standing partnership between the two companies.
VTG Rail UK is to purchase a minimum of 2,000 wagon sets of FreightControl Sentinel technology by the end of 2029. They will be installed on both new-build and retrofitted wagons, having secured all necessary approvals to operate in service on the UK network.
FreightControl Sentinel combines real-time digital monitoring with anti-slide technology, providing instant supervision of braking system status and train integrity. By reducing the risk of wheel and track damage, optimising maintenance schedules, and enhancing operational safety, the system delivers a step change in performance for the industry.
The partnership represents a significant commercial opportunity – forecast to reach up to 40 millionGBP – and positions both companies at the forefront of the UK’s digital freight transformation. In addition to technology supply, the agreement encompasses the joint development of future product generations, shared digital data insights, and co-ordinated industry engagement.
The FreightControl Sentinel system has received independent safety approval for new-build iWagons – a key milestone towards full operational deployment on the UK network. This approval reflects the rigorous risk management process led by VTG and Knorr-Bremse, confirming compliance with the Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation and Assessment.
The agreement further reinforces the iWagon’s position as a game-changing innovation in UK rail freight. The first wagons fitted with the FreightControl Sentinel system entered service in April 2025, marking a major milestone. This groundbreaking event took place at Heidelberg Materials’ Ribblesdale Cement Works in Clitheroe. Heidelberg Materials UK, a key customer of VTG Rail UK, became the first company globally to adopt the VTG iWagon. Engineers are actively engaged in retrofitting their entire fleet of JPA wagons with this cutting-edge technology.
VTG Rail UK has since received additional orders for both new-build and retrofit iWagons from customers which will begin to enter service before the end of the year. As the rail freight industry is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5 % over the next four years, operators face increasing pressure to meet demand safely and efficiently. However, persistent issues such as wheel slide, brake condition uncertainty, and a lack of digital oversight continue to challenge wagon reliability and network performance.
FreightControl Sentinel directly addresses these barriers by integrating anti-slide technology, brake condition monitoring, and advanced event data analytics into one seamless platform, providing a self-powered, permanently connected solution for real-time diagnostics and decision-making.
