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).

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…

TPWS receiver aerial location

This technical note will help industry identify the risks associated with mounting the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) receiver aerial…

Psychometric Assessment in Train Driver Selection

This document sets out requirements and guidance on the psychometric assessment used during the selection process for train driver candidates who will…

IWA, COSS or PC blocking a line

General Signalling Regulations

Level crossings - drivers' instructions

Preparation and movement of trains

Changes to National Operations Publications for September 2017

Wrong-direction movements

Master Module Manual

Duties of the person in charge of the possession (PICOP)

Possession of a running line for engineering work

Duties of the engineering supervisor (ES) or safe work leader (SWL) in a possession

Gradient sign

This document provides design details for AK202 - Gradient sign

Spring catch board

This document provides design details AK204 sign - Spring catch board.

Train class specific instruction

This document provides design details for AK206 sign - Train class specific instruction.

Coasting board

This document provides design details for AK208 sign - Coasting board.

Warnings for train crew

This document provides design details for AK210 sign - Warnings for train crew.

Infrastructure location names, information and references

This document provides design details for AK212 sign - Infrastructure location names, information and references.

Warnings

This document provides design details for BA02 sign - Warnings.

Termination of adhesion condition

This document provides design details for AK214 sign - Termination of adhesion condition

Mind the gap / step

This document provides design details for CA02 sign - Mind the gap / step.

Telephone number

This document provides design details for DA01 sign - Telephone number

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.