Standards Catalogue

Traction batteries in rolling stock depots

The technical note aims to inform the industry on handling, storage and the safe maintenance practices of lithium-ion traction battery packs within…

Fire compartmentation and Li-ion traction batteries

The technical note aims to inform the industry on adequate design considerations for crashworthiness and fire barrier considerations to minimise the…

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…

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…

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…

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.  

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…

Engineering Design of On-Track Machines in Running Mode

This document sets out requirements for the design of on-track Machines (OTMs) in running mode.

Engineering Design of On-Track Machines in Travelling and Working Modes

This document sets out requirements and guidance for the application of the BS EN 14033:2017 series for on-track Machines (OTMs) in their travelling…

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…

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.

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…

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.

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.

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…

Junction signal sighting

This technical note has been issued to help the industry manage the sighting of colour light junction signals. This document is responding to the RAIB…

Train Driver Manual

Signaller and Signalling Technician Manual

Train Operations Staff Manual

Track Workers Manual

Form NR3180 Iss 12-17

Changes to National Operations Publications for December 2017

Master Module Manual

Rule Book Briefing Leaflet

GSM-R Handbook

Duties of the machine controller (MC) and on-track plant operator on ERTMS lines where lineside signals are not provided

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

Electrical hazard: warnings to the public

This document provides design details for CB01 sign - Electrical hazard: warnings to the public.

White diamond with 'X'

This document provides design details for DA03 sign - White diamond with 'X'.

Emergency telephone

This document provides design details for DB04 sign - Emergency telephone.

National radio network channel change marker

This document provides design details for DC03 sign - National radio network channel change marker.

GSM-R common shunt group access code

This document provides design details for DD01 sign - GSM-R common shunt group access code.

Deviation for countdown markers

This document provides design details for DEV-AK102-02 sign - Deviation for platform countdown markers at ¾, ½ and ¼ mile on the approach to a…

Text signs

This document provides design details for BB01 sign - Text signs.

Access prohibited sign

This document provides design details for BA03 sign - Access prohibited sign.

Temporary speed restriction termination indicator

This document provides design details for AF06 sign - Temporary speed restriction termination indicator.

Worksite entrance marker

This document provides design details for AG02 sign - Worksite entrance marker.

Misuse of MEWPs

This poster is provided by the M&EE Networking Group to remind industry not to misuse MEWPs during work activities.

Plant Exclusion Zones

This poster is provided by the M&EE Networking Group to remind industry about the necessity to keep personnel clear from areas around working…

Emergency Haulage by OTMs

This Code of Practice details the haulage capabilities of on-track machines (OTM). It should be followed by any route or operator control when…

Use and Maintenance of Full Electric/Hybrid Powered OTP

This Code of Practice details best practice for use and maintenance of battery or hybrid powered OTP. It defines best practice and industry guidance…

Injection Injury

This poster details the actions to be taken following a hydraulic injection injury.

Cross Tracking of On Track Plant

OTP must only be on/off tracked within a Possession. OTP is not permitted to cross track under Line Blocks.

AFFF Fire Extinguishers

This poster is provided by the M&EE Networking Group to remind industry about the potential for AFFF fire extinguishers to freeze in cold weather.…

RRV Braking

This poster is provided by the M&EE Networking Group to remind industry is a reminder that road-rail vehicles when in rail mode take a lot longer to…

Piling using OTP

This Code of Practice details guidance on the arrangements for controlling the risks when planning and undertaking piling operations on the railway…

Plant Activities with Any Line Open

All plant activities that could foreseeably foul an open line require a documented ALO Plan, which must be approved by a Responsible ALO Manager.