Ref No: HGR-A0401 Issue No: 01 Issue Date: April 2018 HERITAGE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION GUIDANCE NOTE PERMANENT WAY – Planning, Inspection & Maintenance Purpose This document describes good practice in relation to its subject to be followed by Heritage Railways, Tramways and similar bodies to whom this document applies. Endorsement This document has been developed with, and is fully endorsed by, Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate (HMRI), a directorate of the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). Disclaimer The Heritage Railway Association has used its best endeavours to ensure that the content of this document is accurate, complete and suitable for its stated purpose. However it makes no warranties, express or implied, that compliance with the contents of this document shall be sufficient to ensure safe systems of work or operation. Accordingly the Heritage Railway Association will not be liable for its content or any subsequent use to which this document may be put. Supply This document is published by the Heritage Railway Association (HRA). Copies are available electronically via its website https://www.hra.uk.com/guidance-notes Issue 01 page 1 of 11 © Heritage Railway Association 2018 The Heritage Railway Association, Limited by Guarantee, is Registered in England and Wales No. 2226245 Registered office: 2 Littlestone Road, New Romney, Kent, TN28 8PL HGR-A0401-Is01 ______ Permanent Way - Planning, Inspection & Maintenance Users of this Guidance Note should check the HRA website https://www.hra.uk.com/guidance-notes to ensure that they have the latest version.. Table of Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3 2. Recommendations ................................................................................................................................ 3 3. Strategy and Planning .......................................................................................................................... 3 Long Term Plan .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Responsible Officer .................................................................................................................................... 3 4. SMS - Track Standards Document ....................................................................................................... 4 5. Inspections & Patrolling ........................................................................................................................ 6 6. Maintenance of Plain Track .................................................................................................................. 6 7. Curved Track, Transition Curves & Superelevation (Cant) .................................................................. 8 8. References ........................................................................................................................................... 9 Appendix A: Examples of equilibrium cants for 4’-8½” and 2’-6” gauges ................................................ 10 Issue 01 page 2 of 11 © Heritage Railway Association 2018 The Heritage Railway Association, Limited by Guarantee, is Registered in England and Wales No. 2226245 Registered office: 2 Littlestone Road, New Romney, Kent, TN28 8PL HGR-A0401-Is01 ______ Permanent Way - Planning, Inspection & Maintenance 1. Introduction A. This Guidance has been provided to assist the duty holder of heritage railways, tramways and similar bodies in meeting the requirements for operating a railway on verifiably safe permanent way with suitable documentation in their Safety Management System (SMS) as required under the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006: SI 2006 / 0599 (ROGS). It may also be of use to those operators of systems, such as rail mounted cableways, that do not come under these regulations. B. Constituent railways are a diverse range of operations with differing gauges, speeds, axle loads, service frequencies and, therefore, needs. Whilst safety is always paramount, the needs of individual railways differ significantly and a guidance document with common track standards would not be appropriate. A common document may well be too simplistic for some and too onerous and unnecessary for others. C. This Guidance therefore recommends that each Company determines track standards appropriate to their operation and includes those standards in their written Safety Management System (SMS). Track and associated infrastructure should then be inspected and maintained to those standards. D. This document suggests values for dimensions at various points, many of these are relative to UK standard gauge (1435mm / 4' 8 1/2"). Alternative dimensions may need to be provided for track of other gauges E. The term ‘staff’ in this Guidance note should be taken to include unpaid volunteer workers as well as paid staff. F. The term ‘railway’ should be taken to include heritage tramways and similar bodies where appropriate and ‘train’ should be similarly interpreted. 2. Recommendations A. This Guidance note is issued as recommendations to duty holders. B. Many railways are already operating systems, which, in some cases, are to a higher standard than those set out in this Guidance note. This highlights the fact that it is the responsibility of the duty holder having undertaken the necessary risk assessments, to implement controls that are applicable and necessary relative to the operating conditions on their railway. C. Where railways decide to take actions that are not in conformity with these recommendations, following appropriate risk assessments or for other reasons, it is recommended that those decisions are reviewed by the senior management body of the organisation and a formal minute is recorded of both the decision reached and the reasons for reaching it. 3. Strategy and Planning Long Term Plan A. By their nature, ‘maintenance’ and ‘renewal’ are closely linked and best viewed together in the longer term. Renewal of track capable of further use with minor maintenance is both wasteful of resources and unnecessarily costly. Equally, track approaching end of life and in need of constant major maintenance could also waste precious labour resources when wholesale renewal is planned in the short term. A Long-Term Plan will highlight where maintenance gives way to wholesale renewal. Responsible Officer B. To be effective, a Long-Term Plan will look forward at least five years and is best produced by someone knowledgeable in and responsible for track matters on their particular railway. It might be a foreman or supervisor on smaller lines or a PW or Civil Engineer on larger operations. British Railways Track Design Construction Maintenance published by the Permanent Way Institution is recommended reading for those involved in the supervision of maintenance and renewals. First published in 1943, the 1964 3rd Edition is particularly useful, containing materials and methods more likely still to be in use on many heritage lines today. Issue 01 page 3 of 11 © Heritage Railway Association 2018 The Heritage Railway Association, Limited by Guarantee, is Registered in England and Wales No. 2226245 Registered office: 2 Littlestone Road, New Romney, Kent, TN28 8PL HGR-A0401-Is01 ______ Permanent Way - Planning, Inspection & Maintenance 4. SMS - Track Standards Document A. Standards should be determined by individual railways (mindful of ORR requirements – RSP5 Guidance on Minor Railways), being dependent upon factors such as axle loading, maximum speed and other relevant circumstances but safety is the common thread and always paramount. Whilst over-engineering and attaining higher standards than needed is commendable and can minimise routine maintenance in the long term, unnecessary costs can arise. This is where the expertise of the PW Engineer and the Long Term Plan are of benefit. B. A Track Standards Document will specify tolerances and identify what is acceptable and what is not. It would probably contain references to the areas that are briefly described below: 1. Load and Structure Gauge/Kinematic Envelope – a drawing detailing both static and dynamic clearances needed between trains and fixed line-side structures. The minimum clearance to fixed structures should include allowance for end and centre throw of vehicles. 2. Trackbed, Drainage, Ballast and Shoulders – for renewals and new works, this might detail preparation of the sub-base, drainage requirements and type, size and minimum depth of ballast below sleepers (150-200mm) and width of ballast shoulders (200-350mm). Note: Levelling and consolidation by tamper requires a greater depth of ballast below sleepers. 3. Rail Type and Wear – type(s) and minimum weight of rail to be used and the maximum headwear and limit of side-cutting permitted. Axle loading will determine the minimum weight of rail needed but 110/113lb flat bottom and 98lb bullhead will accommodate axle loads of 25 tons. 4. Joints & Expansion Gaps – the type of joints permitted (supported, semi-supported, staggered etc.) and the expansion gap required for given rail lengths. This section might include a statement of frequency for lubrication of fishplates. 5. Sleepers & Fastenings – type, length and spacing of sleepers, baseplates and type of fastenings. Standard gauge is normally 24 sleepers per 60’ (18m) rail with joint sleepers spaced 2’-0” (600mm) apart. 6. Gauge