Open wagons form a large group of railway
goods wagons designed primarily for the transportation of
bulk goods that are not moisture-retentive and can usually be tipped, dumped or shovelled. The
International Union of Railways (UIC) distinguishes between ordinary wagons (
Class E/
UIC-type
5) and special wagons (
F/
6). Open wagons often form a significant part of a railway company's goods wagon fleet; for example, forming just under 40% of the
Deutsche Bahn's total goods wagon stock in Germany.