The Railway Library

[Broken Viking]

[UK] UK National Rail incl. HS1 and TfL:

• Network Rail Operational Info, SA, TPR, EAS, etc: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/industry-and-commercial/information-for-operators/
• Network Rail Working Timetable: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/the-timetable/working-timetable/
• High Speed 1 Regulatory Docs, SA, Network Code etc: https://stpancras-highspeed.com/our-company/regulatory/regulatory-docs/
• London Underground Working Timetables: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/working-timetables
• Crossrail/Elizabeth Line (Central core) Network Code, TPRs etc: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/crossrail-central-operating-section
• UK TOC Network Statements on ORR: https://www.orr.gov.uk/monitoring-regulation/rail/networks/network-statements
• ORR Track Access Contracts: https://www.orr.gov.uk/rail-guidanc...networks/network-rail/consolidated-agreements
• Eurotunnel (Getlink) Fixed Link Rules, Network Code and other documentation: https://www.getlinkgroup.com/en/our-group/eurotunnel/eurotunnel-railway-network/

[IE] Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail and [UK] Translink NIR:

• Rulebook: https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/Abou...Safety-and-Security/Iarnrod-Eireann-Rule-Book

[CH] BAV / SBB-CFF-FFS:

• National regulations (Framework; Operators fork their own from this): https://www.bav.admin.ch/bav/de/home/rechtliches/rechtsgrundlagen-vorschriften/fdv.html
• SBB Infra regulations: https://sbb-assets.imgix.net/assets.../Liste_netzzugangsrelevante_Vorschriften.html

[DE] EBA / DB:

• Railway legislation/Operational Rules: https://www.eba.bund.de/DE/RechtReg...ungen/Eisenbahnrecht/eisenbahnrecht_node.html

[ES] AESF / ReNFE:

• Rulebook, Enacting legislation and Updates: https://www.seguridadferroviaria.es...cional/normativa-reglamentaria-de-circulacion

---

Hi folks!
Returning for the first time in Odin knows how long (Some of the older users might recognise my posting style ) after a long period of being diverted to other places, finding the very loves of my life, and then losing them again after finding myself completely destroyed by a global pandemic, a lot of discrimination, and some extremely isolating geopolitical processes. Hopefully this time I won't go losing my password and access to my account recovery e-mail address!

Anyhow: One of the things I've learned over the past few years is that - Unlike the UK - Many European railway administrations (And perhaps some others) make Rulebooks and other useful materials available to the public. Obviously these are intended for general reference (e.g. A passenger can check a rules compliance concern for themselves) but are also very useful to those looking to enter the industry and/or having an interest in it, as all of us here certainly do!

So what I'm thinking is it could be useful to compile these public access points into a single place so they can be reached quickly by anybody who needs them, or is otherwise interested e.g. Because they want to enter the industry and would like to understand the rules they would be working under beforehand. Aside from the obvious Rulebooks and Procedural guides, this might also be a good place for useful service info like working/public timetables and fare manuals/datasets.

Important note: This is not a place for Industry internal or Not for public information like Network Rail Key Point cards or vehicle operation/service manuals, however these have been obtained. Any "inside information" that is shared will be removed immediately.

So if you know of official places where Rulebooks and other useful railway resources are made available to the general public then please share the links to the download pages here and I'll try to add them to this post when I can, assuming posts here are still infinitely editable.

• I will clarify that this thread is intended for downloadable resources like rulebooks and timetables that people can download, read and employ offline, and isn't intended for realtime data feeds like Network Rails Open Rail Data which can change on a daily or weekly basis.
• Please do not upload actual documents to the forum as this doesn't only clog RUKs disk space, but it also captures information that will become outdated over time - A potentially dangerous thing in Safety-Critical contexts. Posting the link to where these can be downloaded from is better as that lets people download what they need when they need it, and ensures they will always have access to the latest and most up-to-date version.
• Links must be to pages that present the document/resource in a publicly available form without being restricted by authentication or other controls beyond CAPTCHAs to validate the user as a human being and not an automaton. Metered-access/controlled public resources (e.g. The ATOC NFM data files) must be flagged as such to make people aware that a registration/identification requirement is in place.

Hope this is of use to people. I can definitely say that having the AESF's Reglamento de Circulación Ferroviaria in my collection isn't only useful for the detailed descriptions of ASFA and ERTMS within it, but reading it seems to be having a very positive impact on my Spanish!

 

[zwk500]

For the UK:

Network Rail: Operational Info: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/industry-and-commercial/information-for-operators/
- This includes the Sectional Appendix (Line Capability), Timetable Planning Rules (allows planning of servies), Engineering Access Statement (can see engineering works planend), Access Charges, the Network Code, etc.
Working Timetable: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/the-timetable/working-timetable/

CTRL/HS1/St Pancras High Speed: https://stpancras-highspeed.com/our-company/regulatory/regulatory-docs/
- includes Sectional Appendix, Network Code, access charges and other legal documents
- A lot of HS1 timetabling info is contained in the Network Rail Information as NR are responsible for a lot of the operational side.

TfL Publish the Network Code, TPRs, etc for Crossrail Core Operating section: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/crossrail-central-operating-section. Other RfL-owned infrastructure such as the East London Line is operated by NR.

I haven't included Eurotunnel, Translink (NIR), CVL (TfW), and Heathrow as they seemingly only publish the network statements. CVL and Heathrow's operational info is covered by NR. All can be found via https://www.orr.gov.uk/monitoring-regulation/rail/networks/network-statements. Publishing a Network Statement is an interoperability requirement I believe so if you want these, all European networks should have one.

London Underground WTTs: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/working-timetables

I don't know if any other system publishes the info you're looking for in the UK.

On a separate note I find it interesting that NR publish the WTTs but not the Rulebook while Irish Rail publish their Rulebook but not their WTTs!

 

[Broken Viking]

For the UK...

There's a lot of useful info there, ZWK! Thankyou!

It looks like I don't have the ability to edit my OP anymore (Edit: Seems to have been fixed! Cheers, Moderating Team! )

On a separate note I find it interesting that NR publish the WTTs but not the Rulebook while Irish Rail publish their Rulebook but not their WTTs!

I've always found the UK not making the Rulebook available to the public to be extremely strange, especially with many European operators freely doing this even when it includes a lot of technical info (See the AESF RCF sections on ASFA for one of many examples). As railway rules generally have to be laid down by public bodies on any network where interoperability is a necessity (As opposed to, say, in the U.S; Where Amtrak transit a lot of private infrastructure and are single pax trains in a sea of freight) the Rules not being available to the public seems backward.

Could you imagine the situation if the Highway Code was restricted to licenced drivers/riders with taxed vehicles and kept away from pedestrians and cyclists? How would a cyclist know how a car driver is instructed to behave around them if they can't access and read the rules which apply?

 

[GordonT]

There's a lot of useful info there, ZWK! Thankyou!

Thanks Broken Viking and ZWK500 for posting these interesting links.

 

[zwk500]

I've always found the UK not making the Rulebook available to the public to be extremely strange, especially with many European operators freely doing this even when it includes a lot of technical info (See the AESF RCF sections on ASFA for one of many examples). As railway rules generally have to be laid down by public bodies on any network where interoperability is a necessity (As opposed to, say, in the U.S; Where Amtrak transit a lot of private infrastructure and are single pax trains in a sea of freight) the Rules not being available to the public seems backward.

The UK rulebook is not kept under strictly guarded lock and key - it's fairly easy for anybody in the industry to access the RSSB standards library, it's just not freely published. The most likely reason is practicality - there is not a single rulebook in the UK, but rather it's all split up in to modules and there are different sections for all the different signalling modes and whether you're a signaller, driver, guard etc. Given that anybody who needs to access it for their job will be able to get an account (and there's even a rulebook app), the only reason to release it publicly would be for personal interests. There are regulatory and safety bodies to investigate and act if the rulebook is being broken. The value in releasing a rulebook is fairly minimal, IMO, even if it'd be fairly simple for the RSSB to just mark the relevant standards as not needing a login to their website.

Could you imagine the situation if the Highway Code was restricted to licenced drivers/riders with taxed vehicles and kept away from pedestrians and cyclists? How would a cyclist know how a car driver is instructed to behave around them if they can't access and read the rules which apply?

It's not really a comparable situation though because you can't just jump on the tracks and set off like a cyclist can on a road. Rail is most closely comparable in operations to Air travel.

 

[GordonT]

Are staff working instruction books still produced which are specific to electrified networks by geographical area detailing such things as location of neutral sections, electrical control offices and the area covered etc. like BR used to produce or is that information now consolidated into other publications or internal online resources?

 

[zwk500]

Are staff working instruction books still produced which are specific to electrified networks by geographical area detailing such things as location of neutral sections, electrical control offices and the area covered etc. like BR used to produce or is that information now consolidated into other publications or internal online resources?

I'm not sure if there's other resources you're meaning but the information on ECRs and Neutral Sections, along with any General or Local Instructions is contained within the Sectional Appendices which are available publicly on NR's website.

 

[skyhigh]

Could you imagine the situation if the Highway Code was restricted to licenced drivers/riders with taxed vehicles and kept away from pedestrians and cyclists? How would a cyclist know how a car driver is instructed to behave around them if they can't access and read the rules which apply?

This is totally incomparable. Everyone who uses the roads, including pedestrians and cyclists should be aware of the Highway Code because it affects them.

Passengers have zero need to know the details of the Rules Book.

And anyway most, if not all, of the Rule Book can be found freely online.

 

[Egg Centric]

---

Hi folks!
Returning for the first time in Odin knows how long (Some of the older users might recognise my posting style )

I think I recognise you not from the time but from seeing you on searched threads? Is it fair to say at the time you were... less than fully alive...?

 

[godfreycomplex]

[UK] UK National Rail incl. HS1 and TfL:

• Network Rail Operational Info, SA, TPR, EAS, etc: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/industry-and-commercial/information-for-operators/
• Network Rail Working Timetable: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/the-timetable/working-timetable/
• High Speed 1 Regulatory Docs, SA, Network Code etc: https://stpancras-highspeed.com/our-company/regulatory/regulatory-docs/
• London Underground Working Timetables: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/working-timetables
• Crossrail/Elizabeth Line (Central core) Network Code, TPRs etc: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/crossrail-central-operating-section
• UK TOC Network Statements on ORR: https://www.orr.gov.uk/monitoring-regulation/rail/networks/network-statements
• Eurotunnel (Getlink) Fixed Link Rules, Network Code and other documentation: https://www.getlinkgroup.com/en/our-group/eurotunnel/eurotunnel-railway-network/

[IE] Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail and [UK] Translink NIR:

• Rulebook: https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/Abou...Safety-and-Security/Iarnrod-Eireann-Rule-Book

[ES] AESF / ReNFE:

• Rulebook, Enacting legislation and Updates: https://www.seguridadferroviaria.es...cional/normativa-reglamentaria-de-circulacion

---

Hi folks!
Returning for the first time in Odin knows how long (Some of the older users might recognise my posting style ) after a long period of being diverted to other places, finding the very loves of my life, and then losing them again after finding myself completely destroyed by a global pandemic, a lot of discrimination, and some extremely isolating geopolitical processes. Hopefully this time I won't go losing my password and access to my account recovery e-mail address!

Anyhow: One of the things I've learned over the past few years is that - Unlike the UK - Many European railway administrations (And perhaps some others) make Rulebooks and other useful materials available to the public. Obviously these are intended for general reference (e.g. A passenger can check a rules compliance concern for themselves) but are also very useful to those looking to enter the industry and/or having an interest in it, as all of us here certainly do!

So what I'm thinking is it could be useful to compile these public access points into a single place so they can be reached quickly by anybody who needs them, or is otherwise interested e.g. Because they want to enter the industry and would like to understand the rules they would be working under beforehand. Aside from the obvious Rulebooks and Procedural guides, this might also be a good place for useful service info like working/public timetables and fare manuals/datasets.

Important note: This is not a place for Industry internal or Not for public information like Network Rail Key Point cards or vehicle operation/service manuals, however these have been obtained. Any "inside information" that is shared will be removed immediately.

So if you know of official places where Rulebooks and other useful railway resources are made available to the general public then please share the links to the download pages here and I'll try to add them to this post when I can, assuming posts here are still infinitely editable.

• I will clarify that this thread is intended for downloadable resources like rulebooks and timetables that people can download, read and employ offline, and isn't intended for realtime data feeds like Network Rails Open Rail Data which can change on a daily or weekly basis.
• Please do not upload actual documents to the forum as this doesn't only clog RUKs disk space, but it also captures information that will become outdated over time - A potentially dangerous thing in Safety-Critical contexts. Posting the link to where these can be downloaded from is better as that lets people download what they need when they need it, and ensures they will always have access to the latest and most up-to-date version.
• Links must be to pages that present the document/resource in a publicly available form without being restricted by authentication or other controls beyond CAPTCHAs to validate the user as a human being and not an automaton. Metered-access/controlled public resources (e.g. The ATOC NFM data files) must be flagged as such to make people aware that a registration/identification requirement is in place.

Hope this is of use to people. I can definitely say that having the AESF's Reglamento de Circulación Ferroviaria in my collection isn't only useful for the detailed descriptions of ASFA and ERTMS within it, but reading it seems to be having a very positive impact on my Spanish!

Welcome back!

Thanks very much for this info, particularly the Spanish rulebook. It's the devil's own job to find information about Spanish railways, which is a shame as there are no doubt several lessons learned from them that can be utilised on our network, in particular around ETCS

 

[Broken Viking]

Thanks very much for this info, particularly the Spanish rulebook. It's the devil's own job to find information about Spanish railways, which is a shame as there are no doubt several lessons learned from them that can be utilised on our network, in particular around ETCS.

It's good to be back after all this time!

IME many folks on/around ReNFE and ADIF seem to be quite open and liberal about the network, and there seems to be a policy (Dunno if official or simply an aspect of the community) of welcoming interest from all quarters on pretty much everything. The last time I visited Museo de los Ferrocarriles they were surprisingly welcoming of my interest in how the suspension on the Talgo-I worked (This is in the end vehicle, which uses a half-height axle and had been unfacia'd for service during my visit) and overall I've found their community extremely welcoming in that regard. I actually found myself in tears the last time I left Spain because - Like Germany - It was a place I didn't want to leave...

There's a huge Spanish railway community online, but - In much the same way we like to default to doing everything in English for historical reasons - Most of the conversation is strictly in Español. What I would give to be fully fluent in it... (And that's one reason for why I have the RCF loaded on all of my rulebook devices.)

Talking of the RCF; There's a full rundown on ECTS given in Libro Quinto, Anexo 1 (Book 5, Annex 1; pp. 205 onward in my copy) of the Spanish Rulebook. A fundamental understanding of Spanish will allow you to learn about ECTS from it...But if you have little/no Spanish but already know ECTS you might be able to use it the other way around and pick up some Spanish from reading the ECTS concepts that you are already familiar with. In this respect the RCF can be employed as a Rosetta Stone of sorts.

This is totally incomparable. Everyone who uses the roads, including pedestrians and cyclists should be aware of the Highway Code because it affects them. Passengers have zero need to know the details of the Rules Book.

The need to know can be open to debate I think, especially given the open publication of the Rulebooks in other countries. It makes one wonder why the same open attitude to publication isn't observed in the UK too?

And aye, my analogies need a lot of work. Comes with the territory of my condition, I suppose!

And anyway most, if not all, of the Rule Book can be found freely online.

I happen to have a (Seemingly complete, but likely not up to date) copy of the UK Rulebook and NR PTS materials that I came across by chance on a badly configured CMS, but that was obtained by abnormally dumb luck. I can see PTS material being a no-go for the public (Except perhaps select parts of relevance to those employing wayleaves and emergency-beneficial info e.g. making emergency calls and effecting protection of line) but many aspects of the Rules - The bits which lay down the workings of the railway well enough passengers might finally understand how a train departing late from Preston could have a knock-on impact on trains through Guildford 215 miles away - Are of potential use to some passengers, and it would be nice if each revision of the Rulebook also produced a public-targeted version that could be downloaded from the ORRs website.

I think I recognise you not from the time but from seeing you on searched threads? Is it fair to say at the time you were... less than fully alive...?

Yes, I was a little deaf back in those days! The irony of your statement is that I was a lot more alive back then compared to today, hence the latterly more APT ( ) "Broken Viking".

 

[bahnause]

The basic national regulations in Switzerland are listed on the BAV (DfT) website:

FDV

These should be used with caution. They only form the basic framework that applies to all railways, from the heritage steam railway to ETCS L2. They are therefore very generic. In the past, they formed the main part of the regulations; today, the regulations of the infrastructure operators and TOCs take over. These supplement, replace or specify numerous elements of the basic regulations and also contain route or vehicle-specific information.

The relevant regulations of the infrastructure operators are usually also publicly accessible. For SBB Infra, they can be found here:

SBB Infra

The distribution over several documents naturally does not make the whole thing ideal for the end user, which is why many railway companies process the whole thing electronically and filter it according to the various personnel categories. This means that only the content relevant to the individual user is shown.

In addition, there is a whole mountain of other regulations, such as vehicle manuals, manufacturer-specific instructions for the various ETCS equipment and much more. Everything ‘below’ the infrastructure regulations is generally protected by copyright and not publicly accessible.

 

[Link24]

Consolidated agreements | Office of Rail and Road

A consolidated (or conformed) agreement is a document incorporating all approved amendments to the existing approved agreement.

www.orr.gov.uk

The ORR website lists all of the Track Access Contracts between NR and operators, both passenger and freight. With information on service groups and quantum of trains required.