Standards Catalogue

Application of Standard Vehicle Gauges

This document defines standard vehicle gauges and the associated application rules for rolling stock and for infrastructure.

Changes to National Operations Publications for June 2025

This document is primarily used to publish minor changes to National Operations Publications (NOPs) and has been re-issued, taking into consideration…

Application of the Entity in Charge of Maintenance Regulations

This document gives guidance on the application of regulations on entities in charge of maintenance (ECM) with respect to freight wagons that are used…

Verification of Conformity of Engineering Change to Rail Vehicles

The document sets out a process for verification of conformity of engineering change against applicable requirements. This process can be adopted by…

Size of Vehicles and Position of Equipment

This document sets out Great Britain (GB) requirements in scope of National Technical Rules for the methods of determining the swept envelope of rail…

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…

Directional arrows

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

Master Manual

The Rule Book manuals have been produced to provide end-users with access to the content of the Rule Book that is relevant to their roles, e.g.…

Advance lower pantograph (temporary power changeover)

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

Application of the WAG NTSN and NOI NTSN to the Design of Freight Wagons

This document provides guidance on the application of the Rolling Stock - Freight Wagon National Technical Specification Notice (WAG NTSN) and on the…

NDT Processes on Rail Vehicles

This document sets out requirements and gives guidance for processes and the certification of operatives, equipment, and facilities used to undertake…

Rail Industry Guidance Note on Vehicle Static Testing

This document gives guidance on meeting the requirements of GMRT2141 'Permissible Track Forces and Resistance to Derailment and Roll-Over of Railway…

Route Availability

This technical note describes the standards associated with rail vehicle route availability (RA) numbers, and provides guidance on the application of…

Route Availability Number for Assessment of Compatibility between Rail Vehicles and Underline Bridges

This document sets out requirements for the derivation and use of the Route Availability number for the assessment of compatibility between the static…

Permissible Track Forces and Resistance to Derailment and Roll-Over of Railway Vehicles

This document sets out requirements for railway vehicles regarding permissible track forces, derailment resistance and resistance to roll-over due to…

Route Level Assessment of Technical Compatibility between Rail Vehicles and Underline Bridges

This document sets out requirements and guidance for the assessment of compatibility between rail vehicles and underline bridges at route level on the…

Guidance on evaluating excessive dynamic effects in underline bridges

This document provides guidance on evaluating and managing the risk of excessive dynamic effects in underline bridges resulting from the operating…

Fire safety of refurbished passenger seats​

This technical note provides guidance on the application of fire standards to existing vehicles undergoing refurbishment which affects passenger…

Public address interface to GSM-R

This technical note will help industry to determine GSM-R cab radio public address announcement priorities when integrated with the onboard public…

Section W - Bad weather affecting railway infrastructure

Rule Book modules issue history

Record of Arrangements for Protection of the Line for Engineering Work, or for Protection of a Hand Trolley

T5 - Operating power-operated points by hand

T7 - Safe systems of work when walking or working on or near the line

T12 - Protecting personnel carrying out activities on the line that do not affect the safety of the line

Protecting personnel when working on rail vehicles and in sidings

T2-Protecting engineering work or a hand trolley on line not under possession

T6 - Working on or near the line

T8 - Handsignalling duties

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).

Warning of Traction System Changeover

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

Indication of route

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

Lower pantograph (temporary power changeover)

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

Changeover to or from self-powered

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

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.  

Do not raise pantograph (temporary power changeover)

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

Lower Pantograph

This document provides design details for sign AJ03 - Lower pantograph

Use of warning horn

This poster is provided by the M&EE Networking Group to remind the industry about the use of the warning horn.

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

Code of Practice Protection of Non PTS Holders at OTM Stabling Points

This Code of Practice concerns all OTM stabling points and can be used when non PTS holders need to visit site. The document has been written to…

Code of Practice for Use and Loading of MEWPs

This Code of Practice details the use of MEWPs, particularly with processes for loads that should safely be permitted in the work platform of a MEWP.…

Points run throughs

Code of Practice Planning for the Use of Mobile Operated Plant

Injection Injury

Code of Practice for Action to be Taken in the Event of an Accident or Incident Involving OTP

This Code of Practice details the actions to be taken, and by whom, following an accident or incident involving OTP.  It deals with the engineering…

Code of Practice for Management of Points within Engineering Work Sites

This Code of Practice is to provide guidance on the arrangements for the Management of Points within Engineering Worksites for all rail borne vehicles…

Pulling Rail with Road-Rail Excavator Cranes

This Code of Practice provides good practice in the safe pulling of continuous welded rail (CWR) and to minimise the risk of damage to the CWR or…