The higher-up the decision went, the worse it is.

While I believe intentions were malicious, it's very easy to argue that

1. it's not failing, it's disabling

2. it's a safety feature - "SPS can't safely maintain these trains, so we have a safety lock out if they attempt it"

3. there is a ton of stuff that works this way - even Harley Davidson motorcycles require authorized maintenance and the bike's computer won't accept repairs unless a proprietary tool is used

Newag was required by contract to provide accurate service manuals so that competitors could safely maintain the trains. This was not a "just take your car to dave, he knows some stuff". For SPS and other competitors this was like "you need to show every certification that exists and certify all your tools to prove that indeed you can service those cars, or you will be foreclosed due to fines". Plus, they were provided ALL service manuals, like 20k pages to follow to the letter.

i wouldnt be surprised if this info was somewhere in those 20k pages, and perhaps if the procedures were actually followed, stuff like GPS based lockouts wouldn't happen

Ah yes, on appendix 35 of section C, "do not store the train in your service yard specifically or it will stop working"

The article covers this, and says the information about the lockouts was not in the manufacturer provided manuals.

According to who?

Directly in TFA, matey:

  > Newag explains that the train were
  > blocked by a “safety system” – but in
  > the 20,000 pages of  instructions, it
  > is in vain to  find even a mention
  > of it.

No mention whatsoever in the maintenance documents. It then becomes prudent to question the intentions and fitness of the company behind such a product.

This episode puts even John Deere to shame. I'm imagine JD are enjoying themselves right now on this Friday afternoon.

On #2, that's sabotage. Also, on #3, that's sabotage too.