History:
Astra Vagoane Company was founded in 1891 and in more than 100 years of activity it mainly manufactured rolling stock, freight wagons and passenger coaches. For over a century, Astra has manufactured more than a quarter million of wagons, exported in more than 35 countries all over the world. Astra was privatized in 1999 whenTrinity acquired majority package, and subsequently increased capital. In august 2006 it was acquired by International Railway Systems. Astra posted in 2007 an Euro 134,27 M turnover, and an Euro 184,06 M turnover is estimated for 2008.

During successive developments, the technical endowments and the modernization of technical lines strengthened Astra’s profile so that at the present the company is able to manufacture any type of covered or uncovered flat wagons, tank wagons for petroleum products and special wagons.

Products:
The range of wagons manufactured at Astra includes: 2, 4 and 6 axles flat wagons, 18 or 24 axles flat wagons for overgauge transport, vertically and horizontally adjustable wagons, uncovered gondola wagons (for ore, coal, ballast stone transportation), covered cars (for furniture, cereals transportation, freight wagons for incandescent coke, ingots for foundry ladle transportation), canvas covered wagons for transport of coils any type of tank cars for petroleum products etc.), hopper wagons for transport of ballast using special unloading devices, port container and low liner wagons for 20’, 30’ 45’, 60’, 90’ containers etc.

All these types of freight wagons can be manufactured at any size having the axle load of 22,5 to 25 or even more, at any range of gauge and wheel base.

Facilities:
Astra has a special line for manufacturing Y25 bogies (22,5 to axle load, 25 to axle load, brake incorporated, with or without handbrake) and another production line for manufacturing Y33 bogies. In the past few years, new investments amounting for 35 million USD have been made mainly in welding robot line and CNC equipment for machining for the bogie production, sandblasting and painting semi authomatic line for bogies and wagons, semi authomatic line for wagon tanks, new welding machines, IT equipment etc.

Certifications:
Astra is certified as a wagon producer by the following Railways:
- The German Railways DB AG
- The Belgian Railways SNCB
- The Swiss Railways SBB
- The Austrian Railways ÖBB
- The Romanian Railways SNTFM
- The French Railways SNCF
- The British Railways EWS
- The Slovakian Railways ZSR
- The Italian Railways FS
- The Swedish Railway SJ
- The Hungarian arailway MAV
- The Netherlands Railway NS
- The Czech Railway CD
- The Swiss private Railway AAE

Clients:
Astra has a very long list of clients, among which we can mention the following: AAE, DB, Ermewa-Geneva S.A., EWS, ERR, Freightliner, GATX Germany, GB Railfreight, Hupac, HHPI, Nacco S.A., Network Rail, On Rail, SNCB, SBB, Touax, Trenitalia, VTG, Wascosa, GB Railfreight.