Standards Catalogue

General duties and track safety for track workers

This handbook is for those personnel who need to go on the operational railway to carry out their duties, with the exception of a train driver, guard,…

IWA, COSS or PC blocking a line

You will need this handbook if you carry out the duties of a IWA, COSS or PC blocking a line.

Wrong-direction movements

You will need this module if you carry out the duties of a driver or signaller.

Level crossings - drivers' instructions

You will need this module if you carry out the duties of a driver.

Level crossings - signallers' regulations

You will need this module if you carry out the duties of a signaller in an area where there is a level crossing.

Personnel asking for trains to be stopped form

This form is used by signallers to record the details when personnel ask for a line to be blocked for their own protection when going on or near the…

General duties of an individual working alone (IWA)

This handbook is for those personnel with general duties of an individual working alone (IWA).

Duties of the machine controller (MC) and on-track plant operator

You will need this handbook if you carry out the duties of the machine controller (MC) and on-track plant operator.

General duties of a controller of site safety (COSS)

This handbook is for those personnel who have the general duties of a controller of site safety (COSS).

Defective or isolated vehicles and on-train equipment

You will need this module if you carry out the duties of a driver, guard, signaller or train preparer. It sets out the operational instructions to be…

Crashworthiness risk assessment for mainline passenger rolling stock

This Technical Note aims to address Recommendation 19 c) of RAIB’s Carmont report. This required RSSB, in consultation with operators of pre-1994…

Onboard passenger air quality improvement

This technical note aims to inform the industry about potential solutions for improving air quality in the passenger cabin environment, referred to in…

Overrun Risk Evaluation and Assessment

This document sets out requirements and guidance for the management of risk associated with trains exceeding the end of their movement authority. 

Provision of Signage at Power Changeover Locations

This document sets out requirements and guidance for provision of signage at power changeover locations for multi-mode rolling stock.

Maintaining the Visibility of Signals and Operational Signs

This document sets out requirements and guidance to ensure that the visibility of signals and operational signs are not adversely affected during the…

Medical Fitness Assessment

This document sets out requirements and guidance for the management of medical fitness assessment for safety critical workers on the GB mainline…

Lineside Operational Signs

This document sets out requirements, rationale and guidance for the application of lineside operational signs published in the RSSB catalogue. It also…

Reference Limits for Freight Wagon Defects

This document sets out the criteria for addressing defects in freight wagons arising during operation, and the restrictions on their use that apply.

Requirements for the operation of freight trains and the conveyance of dangerous goods by any train

This document sets out requirements and guidance relating to the safe operation of freight trains and the safe movement of dangerous goods.

Determination of Aerodynamic Rolling Moment Coefficient

This Guidance Note provides guidance to railway undertakings and infrastructure managers for methods of undertaking wind tunnel tests to determine…

Train Driver Manual

Train Operations Staff Manual

Glossary of Railway Terminology

Signals, Handsignals, Indicators and Signs Handbook

Changes to National Operations Publications for September 2016

Changes to National Operations Publications for June 2016

Rule Book Module Issue History

Changes to National Operations Publications for March 2016

Changes to National Operations Publications for December 2015

AWS and TPWS Handbook

You will need this document if you carry out the duties of a driver or signaller. Information on changes to this issue can be found in the Rule Book…

Lower pantograph (temporary power changeover)

This document provides design details for sign AJ13 - Lower pantograph (temporary power changeover).  

Warning of Traction System Changeover

This document provides design details for sign AJ04 - Warning of traction system changeover.  

Changeover to or from self-powered

This document provides design details for sign AJ08 - Changeover to or from self-powered.

Directional arrows

This document provides design details for sign AJ10 - Directional arrows.  

Advance lower pantograph (temporary power changeover)

This document provides design details for sign AJ12 - Advance lower pantograph (temporary power changeover).

Changeover to Overhead Electric Traction

This document provides design details for sign AJ07 - Changeover to Overhead Electric Traction.

Do not raise pantograph

This document provides design details for sign AJ09 - Do not raise pantograph.  

Lower Pantograph

This document provides design details for sign AJ03 - Lower pantograph

Indication of route

This document provides design details for sign AJ11 - Indication of route.

Do not raise pantograph (temporary power changeover)

This document provides design details for sign AJ15 – Do not raise pantograph (temporary power changeover).

Code of Practice for Safe use of Quick Hitches

This Code of Practice identifies the types of quick hitches as categorised by the HSE and details the safety issues and provides safe systems of work…

Code of Practice for Safe Use of Remote Controls

This Code of Practice identifies the safe use of wired and wireless remote controls for OTP, OTM and other machines in the railway environment. The…

Code of Practice for Plant Any Line Open (ALO) Working

This Code of Practice provides guidance on how to safely manage Plant Any Line Open (ALO) working.

Rail Handling – Rail Turner Awareness

This poster is provided by the M&EE Networking Group to remind industry about the competence requirements necessary for the Crane Controller and…

Code of Practice for Management of Siding Safety Surveys

This Code of Practiceprovides guidance to enable the effective setting up of a safe system of work within all sidings allocated for stabling and…

Code of Practice for Route Knowledge within Possessions

This Code of Practice contains guidance and generic good practice for the management of route knowledge for train drivers within a possession. It sets…

OTP Mechanical Movement Limiting Device

This poster is provided by the M&EE Networking Group to remind the industry about the use of mechanical movement limiting device and the restrictions…

Seasonal Operating of OTP

This poster is provided by the M&EE Networking Group to remind operators when adhesion is low, keep it slow.

Code of Practice for Brake Testing of OTP

This Code of Practice details the testing of the braking system of OTP excluding Trolleys during operations and routine maintenance examination…

Code of Practice Planning for the Use of Mobile Operated Plant

This Code of Practice details minimum requirements for planning for the use of mobile operated plant excluding lifting operations. It applies to…