When we think of trains and railways, we often imagine tracks and moving wagons.

But behind every vehicle operating on the Italian railway network lies a world of strict inspections, official documentation, and scheduled overhauls.

Just like cars, railway work vehicles have their own circulation document: it’s called RUMO.

 

What is RUMO?

RUMO stands for Registro Unico dei Mezzi d’Opera — the Single Register of Work Vehicles.

Every operational railway vehicle — from wagons to special maintenance machines — must be registered in RUMO.

It contains key data such as year of manufacture, owner, technical specs, and, most importantly, the complete maintenance and inspection history.

 

Railway Vehicle Overhauls: Not Just a Requirement, but a Safety Guarantee

To ensure each vehicle remains in perfect working condition, three types of inspections are require:

  • Annual overhaul: a full technical check performed every year
  • 33-month inspection: a more in-depth technical check every 33 months
  • 5-year overhaul: the most comprehensive one, with partial disassembly, detailed inspections, and specific tests (e.g., ultrasonic testing on axles and wheels)

During these operations, vehicles are temporarily withdrawn from service and reinstated only after passing all checks.

 

Who Can Perform These Inspections?

Only certified workshops approved by RFI (Rete Ferroviaria Italiana) are authorized.
SAGA, through its in-house workshop, is certified to service work vehicles up to 17 tons — a key recognition that ensures the highest safety and quality standards.

 

A Strict and Traceable Process

Each inspection is logged in the RUMO system via a dedicated ticket. All tasks must be documented, validated, and reviewed by RFI technicians. Only after the final check can a vehicle officially return to operation.

It’s a demanding but essential process for the safety of all railway activities.

 

APME Qualification: Field Skills and Welding Expertise

Welding certification requires two specialized courses and exams, aligned with international standard EN ISO 9606-1 for manual welding.

Technicians must also obtain EN ISO 14732 for the use of automated welding systems.

 

Hands-On Experience and Final Certification

A key part of the APME program is practical field experience:

  • 1,000 hours of on-site work, using equipment and tools in real conditions
  • Followed by 520 hours of mentoring to consolidate acquired skills

Technicians must also earn Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) certifications, including:

  • EN ISO 9712 MF
  • Visual Testing (VT)
  • Penetrant Testing (PT)

These are mandatory to guarantee weld quality and safety.

The program concludes with a Level 3 “PND Audit” — a 520-hour evaluation to certify the technician’s ability to apply quality control procedures independently.

After earning all certifications, the technician can access the final APME qualification course, which includes intensive exams focusing on both practical skills and compliance with RFI regulations.

In total, the APME training path involves approximately 3,800 hours of theory, practice, and mentoring — ensuring safe, high-quality interventions on railway infrastructure.