The Rule Book and other national operations publications

National operations publications, which include the Rule Book, are standards which set out mandatory requirements for direct application in the workplace. These include:

Modular Rule Book
Working Manual for Rail Staff: Handling and Carriage of Dangerous Goods
Working Manual for Rail Staff: Freight Train Operations
New Approach to the Rule Book

A subsidiary publication, called Changes to National Operations Publications, contains new and previously published amendments to National Operations Publications, which are considered too urgent to await a complete reissue of the document concerned.

Although not National Operations Publications, there are also handbooks which are associated with instructions in the Rule Book.

Rule Book (GE/RT8000)

The Modular Rule Book was introduced in June 2003. It is made up of 48 task based modules covering a variety of operational activities which are designed for specific groups of staff. The modules can be obtained singly so that a custom-built Rule Book can be made up which is specifically applicable to an individuals role.

Click on the module icon for more information on the Rule Book

Summary of the latest changes to National Operations Publications

Click here for the presentation for the changes to the Rule Book for April 2010 (in force June 2010 ).

Rule Book briefing leaflets (RBBL)

This documents outlines the significant changes to the Rule Book. There is no RBBL for the changes to the Rule Book for October 2009 (in force December 2009). The next RBBL will be published in April 2010.

Working Manuals (GO/RM3053 and GO/RM3056)
These publications are specific to the working of freight trains.

Click on the working manual icon for a description of the sections of each working manual

Changes to National Operations Publications (GE/RT8001)

National Operations Publications set out mandatory requirements for direct application in the workplace and will be subject to frequent change. This Railway Group Standard GE/RT8001 – Changes to National Operations Publications will be published up to six times in each year and will be used to inform Duty Holders of Railway Safety Cases who produce a Periodical Operating Notice (PON) of any amendments made to these documents. These amendments will continue to be published in GE/RT8001 until such time as the individual specified operations publication is reissued or the amendment is issued as part of the amendments module (GE/RT8000/AM).

Click here to download the latest GE/RT8001 (issue 24) National Operating Publications for February 2010.

Questions about national operations publications

You should contact the enquiry desk who will deal with your enquiry in liaison with operations specialists within the Traffic Operation and Management Standards Delivery Unit at RSSB. Questions related to the meaning of any instructions contained in a either the Rule Book or the working manuals can be addressed. The enquiry desk can be contacted on 020 3142 5400 or enquirydesk@rssb.co.uk.

Ordering national operations publications

Those who need to order copies of the modules should contact Willsons Printers on 01636 702 334.