Freight Planning

[Legolash2o]

Does anyone know the full process of planning freight trains. I'm a PhD student hoping to work with rail freight and I just wish to understand the full process. So far I have:

FOC

1. Get customer requirements: Origin, Destination, Weight, Length. (wagons and containers used or at least width and height?)

2. Find feasible routes
a. Load Book (weight, route availability and length)
b. NESA (gauge, restrictions, instructions and notes)

3. Travel time using Section Running Times
4. Find train paths using existing schedules. Possibly negotiate with other FOCs to slightly alter their path.
5. Request RT3973 from NR

Network Rail

6. Generate required RT3973 forms.
a. RT3973 for over W6A load to confirm load can go on this and/or diversionary route.
b. RT3973/CON for out of gauge
c. RT3973/HAW for heavy axle

FOC

7. Submit bid to NR.

Network Rail

8. Validate Schedule
a. Access 2.51 Network Code
b. Validate gauge clearance
c. Check Section 4’s for conflict

9. Go back to FOC if required.
10. Communicate approval to operator

FOC

11. Plan and execute
a. Driver schedule.
b. Rolling stock schedule.
c. Training?
d. Etc.

Thanks.

 

[EM2]

The operator should be aware of any RT3973 restrictions, and include them when they bid.

 

[Legolash2o]

Makes sense, would that be stage 3 or 4? Or any as long as it's before the bid.

Thanks.

EDIT: I put it as step 5.

 

[Legolash2o]

Do FOCs have access to TPS or TOPS?

 

[The Planner]

Yes of course they do, either that or they are using VoyagerPlan. Number 4 can be any TOC, not just a FOC as you can flex anything within reason. Number 5 in your list isn't always applicable, not every train will require a RT3973. The loads book isn't worth the Excel spreadsheet its written on in my view unless its suddenly been reviewed. Anything that breaks it just ends up as a specially authorised load trial. Route knowledge should be near the start not the end as should the driver schedule so you know if a C stop is required in the schedule. You also need to check section 5 in case you need to Y path the schedule on the cyclic weeks.

 

[Legolash2o]

Thanks for the reply.

In that case should I move the route knowledge part number 11 to number 4?

What stage would checking Section 5 be? Should it be 8d or just before the FOC requests RT3973?

Not sure what a C stop is.

Thanks again, appreciated!

 

[Legolash2o]

Updated.

FOC
1. Get customer requirements: Origin, Destination, Weight, Length. (wagons and containers used or at least width and height?)

2. Driver Schedule

3. Find feasible routes / Local knowledge
a. Load Book (Weight): The train weight is the gross laden weight (in tonnes) of each vehicle making up the train, including the weight of the locomotive and the weight of any brake van. Anything over “ends up as a specially authorised load trial”.
b. Load Book (Length): The train length, including that of the locomotive and any brake van, expressed in metres, must not exceed the length limit for any part of the line.
c. NESA (Route Availability): 1-10. The Route Availability (RA) of vehicles and locomotives must not exceed the RA number for the route over which the train is to run unless this is permitted by the application of special conditions. If the route RA figure is to be exceeded, each movement must be authorised by the issue of an exceptional load form RT3973/HAW identifying special conditions.
d. NESA (Max Speed): The maximum speed at which a freight train can run is determined by the lowest permissible speed of any vehicle making up the train. This is subject to compliance with any emergency, temporary of permanent speed restrictions. The maximum speed of any vehicle is contained in the TOPS wagon file for vehicles registered by Network Rail.
e. Brake Force: Table E1 in GORT3056. The total break force of the train is the brake force of each vehicle with operative automatic brakes including the locomotive.
f. NESA (gauge, restrictions, instructions and notes).

4. Travel time using Section Running Times. Do they use TPS?

5. Find train paths using existing schedules.
a. Strategic Q paths
b. Check Section 5’s for “Y paths”
c. Possibly negotiate with other FOCs/TOCs to slightly alter their path (flex).

6. Driver Schedule

7. Request RT3973 from NR (if applicable).

Network Rail

8. Generate required RT3973 forms and return to FOC.
a. RT3973 for over W6A load to confirm load can go on this and/or diversionary route. Section J in GORT3056; specifically, tables J2.
b. RT3973/CON: Exceptional load form used for the carriage of containers and swapbodies.
c. RT3973/HAW: Exceptional load form used for the carriage of heavy axle weight loads over routes with a lower axle weight rating.
d. RT3973/NUC: Exceptional load form used for the carriage of irradiated fuel flasks loaded on vehicles or containers.
e. RT3973/EXL: Exceptional load form used the carriage of exceptional loads which do not come within CON/HAW/NUC categories.

FOC

9. Submit bid to NR.

Network Rail

10. Validate Schedule
a. Access 2.51 Network Code
b. Validate gauge clearance
c. Check Section 4’s for conflict

11. Go back to FOC if required.

12. Communicate approval to operator

 

[The Planner]

A C stop is a operational stop, normally for a driver change.