Loading Gauges Map

Legolash2o · 30 Jul 2020

For anyone who's interested, attached is the map of loading gauges as per NESA (National Electronic Sectional Appendix).

Does anyone know of any current loading gauge improvements in the works?

RailUK Forums

markymark2000 · 2 Aug 2020

I'd be interested to hear how much work is involved in increasing the loading gauge? Is it just bridges and tunnels really or do the tracks need moving further apart, signals need moving further away from the track?

I would also be interested to know how often are loading gauges judged as surely some lines might have a higher loading gauge than what they are being shown as if they haven't been checked.

When we are trying to encourage more rail freight, it seems odd to see so much line as W8 or under or to be unknown.

Dave_Cardboard · 2 Aug 2020

Sometimes there are platforms that need to be modified (e.g. cut back, of rebuilt so as to not intrude on the running gear area) platform canopies cut back or removed, signals moved, OHLE structures, drainage and conduits shifted as a consequence of other works and doubtless much more that your average lay person (such as I) wouldn't even think about. Like many complex system, I suspect that it's "much more complicated" than just he "big ticket" items such as bridges, tunnels, etc.

furnessvale · 2 Aug 2020

markymark2000 said:
I'd be interested to hear how much work is involved in increasing the loading gauge? Is it just bridges and tunnels really or do the tracks need moving further apart, signals need moving further away from the track?

I would also be interested to know how often are loading gauges judged as surely some lines might have a higher loading gauge than what they are being shown as if they haven't been checked.

When we are trying to encourage more rail freight, it seems odd to see so much line as W8 or under or to be unknown.

Increasing the loading gauge for freight in the UK has mainly been improvements in the top corner to allow for the square corner of increased height shipping containers.

Ref your second point. On the contrary, modern track maintenance methods (tamping and lining) can have the effect of reducing the available loading gauge as the track is lifted and moved during this work. Tight spots have to be especially checked when work takes place.

Ref your third point. I have no doubt that should a potential traffic arise, the line in question could be checked with the gauging train. As an aside, as a junior engineer many years ago, I used to do just that using the more traditional tape measure attached to a long pole!

markymark2000 · 3 Aug 2020

Thank you for your comments Furnessvale. Very interesting

Legolash2o · 3 Aug 2020

markymark2000 said:
I'd be interested to hear how much work is involved in increasing the loading gauge? Is it just bridges and tunnels really or do the tracks need moving further apart, signals need moving further away from the track?

I think it depends on the location. I received a document a while ago that interventions for Hull lines needed some signals moving and either platform cut back, or tracks 'cant' being change. For tunnels and bridges, there are options of lowering the track bed, but there are limits on the gradient angle (1m every 100m I believe).

markymark2000 said:
I would also be interested to know how often are loading gauges judged as surely some lines might have a higher loading gauge than what they are being shown as if they haven't been checked.

When we are trying to encourage more rail freight, it seems odd to see so much line as W8 or under or to be unknown.

This is where gauge certifications and RT3973 forms come into play. On the latest W12 certification, there are some more places which haven't filtered down to the Sectional Appendix. RT3973 CON forms are exceptions i.e you can go this W7 route with a W8 type load, but only on wagons X, Y., Z and at 10 mph

I remember reading some time ago that over half the freight containers are now high-cube containers (W10), and still increasing.

Gostav · 3 Aug 2020

What is the difference between "W10 (no W9)" and "W10 and W9"?

swt_passenger · 3 Aug 2020

Gostav said:
What is the difference between "W10 (no W9)" and "W10 and W9"?

The gauge numbers aren‘t progressive in both dimensions, so any given number doesn’t necessarily include all the lower numbers. So W10 is slightly higher than W9, but W9 is slightly wider than W10.

Gostav · 3 Aug 2020

swt_passenger said:
The gauge numbers aren‘t progressive in both dimensions, so any given number doesn’t necessarily include all the lower numbers. So W10 is slightly higher than W9, but W9 is slightly wider than W10.

Ok, so "W10 and W9" means the loading gauge is higher than W9 and wider than W10.

swt_passenger · 3 Aug 2020

Gostav said:
Ok, so "W10 and W9" means the loading gauge is higher than W9 and wider than W10.

Yes, I’m sure there’s a coloured line drawing Network Rail publish that has them all overlaid which explains it in a straightforward fashion.

hwl · 3 Aug 2020

Gostav said:
What is the difference between "W10 (no W9)" and "W10 and W9"?

In a slightly simplified form:

Belperpete · 4 Aug 2020

Am I the only one who opened this topic expecting it to be about white "hangman" poles with a curved metal rod suspended from it? Perhaps I am showing my age!

Loading Gauges Map

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