摘要:A freight wagon is a collection of a large number of parts and assemblies that form a single structure. During wagon operation, there are gradual changes in the characteristics and parameters of its structural elements. That is, the parameters of its constituent elements change – their numerical values increase or decrease that result in a change of the unit’s technical state, and, in turn, affects the totality of its performance. Gradually accumulating, the changes in the parameters of the structural elements of a wagon reach such a level that radical, sometimes abrupt qualitative change occurs. A malfunction that has not been repaired timely may lead to a failure of a wagon structural element, which, in turn, may result in rolling stock derailment. It has been established that the loss of stability of freight wagons during their movement is most often due to their unsatisfactory dynamic properties, which can be explained by design features and technical state of running gears. In this regard, the authors of the article have developed an algorithm for investigation technical state of running gears of freight wagons and determined the effect of their parameters’ deviation on rolling stock operation with possible further derailment.