EN 15020:2022/FprA1

Railway applications - Rescue coupler - Performance requirements, specific interface geometry and test methods

2   Modification to Scope
Replace the scope as follows:
"This document defines the requirements and tests on the rescue coupler foreseen to connect a rescue vehicle equipped with a draw hook, according to EN 15566:2022 and a headstock layout according to EN 16839:2022+A1:2025 together with the train to be rescued equipped with a Type 10 automatic coupler according to EN 16019:2014.
The requirements on coupling interfaces of end couplers are defined in EN 16019:2014.".
(Hint: The new wording of the scope was adopted as draft decision 21/2025, which was taken by CEN/TC 256/SC 2 on 2025-09-16.)

Bahnanwendungen - Abschleppkupplung - Leistungsanforderungen, spezifische Schnittstellengeometrie und Prüfverfahren

2   Änderung des Anwendungsbereiches
Ersetze den Anwendungsbereich durch:
„Dieses Dokument legt die Anforderungen und Prüfungen an die Abschleppkupplung fest, die dafür vorgesehen ist, das Abschleppfahrzeug mittels eines Zughakens nach EN 15566:2022, der am Kopfstück nach EN 16939:2022+A1:2025 angebracht ist, mit der automatischen Kupplung vom Typ 10 nach EN 16019:2014 des abzuschleppenden Zuges zu verbinden.
Die Anforderungen an die Kupplungsschnittstellen von Endkupplungen sind in EN 16019:2014 festgelegt.“
(Hinweis: Der neue Wortlaut des Anwendungsbereichs wurde als Entscheidungsvorlage 21/2025 angenommen, der am 16.09.2025 vom CEN/TC 256/SC 2 verabschiedet wurde.)

Applications ferroviaires - Attelage de secours - Exigences concernant la performance, la géometrie des interfaces et les methodes d'essai

2   Modification au Domaine d’application
Remplacer le domaine d’application comme suit :
« Le présent document définit les exigences et les essais applicables aux attelages de secours destinés à raccorder un véhicule de secours équipé d'un crochet d'attelage conforme à l’EN 15566:2022 et selon un agencement des traverses de tête conforme à l’EN 16839:2022+A1:2025, au train secouru équipé d'un attelage automatique de Type 10 conforme à l'EN 16019:2014.
Les exigences relatives aux interfaces d'accouplement des attelages d'extrémité sont définies dans l'EN 16019:2014. ».
(Remarque : La nouvelle formulation du domaine d'application a été adoptée dans le cadre du projet de décision 21/2025, qui a été pris par le CEN/TC 256/SC 2 le 16-09-2025.)

Železniške naprave - Vlečna spenjača - Zahteve za izdelavo, geometrija vmesnika in preskusne metode - Dopolnilo A1

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 15-Apr-2026
• ICS: 45.060.01 - Railway rolling stock in general
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 256 - Railway applications
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 256/WG 33 - Coupling devices
• Current Stage: 4599 - Dispatch of FV draft to CMC - Finalization for Vote
• Start Date: 29-Oct-2025
• Due Date: 23-Nov-2026
• Completion Date: 29-Oct-2025
• Directive: 2016/797/EU - Directive (EU) 2016/797 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the interoperability of the rail system within the European Union (Text with EEA relevance)
• Mandate: M/483 - Mandate for programming and standardisation addressed to the European standardisation bodies under directive 2008/57/EC in the field of the interoperability of the rail system within the European Union
• Mandate: M/591 - Standardisation request to the European Committee for Standardisation and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation as regards railway products in support of Directive (EU) 2016/797
• Ref Project: SIST EN 15020:2022/oprA1:2025 - Railway applications - Rescue coupler - Performance requirements, specific interface geometry and test methods

Relations

• Amends: EN 15020:2022 - Railway applications - Rescue coupler - Performance requirements, specific interface geometry and test methods
• Effective Date: 12-Feb-2025

Overview

The EN 15020:2022/FprA1 standard, developed by CEN Technical Committee CEN/TC 256, addresses railway applications focused on the rescue coupler system. This amendment modifies the original 2022 standard by refining the scope and performance criteria for rescue couplers designed to connect rescue vehicles equipped with a draw hook to trains featuring a Type 10 automatic coupler. The standard provides essential requirements ensuring safety, interoperability, and reliability in emergency coupling scenarios during railway rescue operations.

Key Topics

• Scope Clarification
  The revised scope specifies that the rescue coupler is intended for use with trains equipped with Type 10 automatic couplers compliant with EN 16019:2014, and rescue vehicles with draw hooks according to EN 15566:2022, alongside headstock layouts per EN 16839:2022+A1:2025. The focus is strictly on coupling interface requirements for end couplers as defined in EN 16019:2014.

• Performance Requirements
  The standard mandates performance criteria that ensure the mechanical strength, durability, and operational reliability of the rescue coupler during emergency engagements and towing procedures.

• Interface Geometry
  Detailed specifications for the geometry of the coupling interfaces ensure compatibility between rescue vehicles and trains. This promotes seamless mechanical and functional integration, crucial for safe and effective rescue operations.

• Test Methods
  Standardized test procedures are included to validate compliance with performance and interface requirements. Testing encompasses dimensional accuracy, mechanical integrity, and operational functionality under various conditions.

Applications

EN 15020:2022/FprA1 primarily supports railway rescue operations where rapid and secure coupling between a rescue vehicle and a disabled train is necessary. Key applications include:

• Train Recovery and Towing
  Ensures safe and standardized coupler connections facilitating the recovery of broken-down trains without delays or risks.

• Emergency Response
  Enhances interoperability and safety during emergency interventions, reducing downtime and service disruptions.

• Rolling Stock Compatibility
  Supports interoperability requirements for locomotives and passenger rolling stock equipped with Type 10 automatic couplers, aligning with TSI Loc and Pas regulations.

• Maintenance and Inspection
  Provides clear technical criteria for designing, inspecting, and maintaining rescue couplers used in fleet operations across European railway networks.

Related Standards

• EN 15566:2022 – Specifies requirements for draw hooks installed on rescue vehicles, critical to ensure compatibility with coupling systems.
• EN 16839:2022+A1:2025 – Defines headstock layouts facilitating correct alignment and mechanical interfacing of rescue couplers.
• EN 16019:2014 – Covers coupling interfaces for end couplers and establishes baseline requirements for automatic coupler types, including Type 10.
• EU Directive 2016/797/EC – Although Annex ZA linking this directive to EN 15020 is deleted in the amendment, the regulatory framework remains relevant for interoperability and safety.

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Keywords: railway rescue coupler, EN 15020:2022/FprA1, rescue coupling interface, Type 10 automatic coupler, railway interoperability standard, coupling performance requirements, railway emergency operations, CEN railway standards.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2025
Železniške naprave - Vlečna spenjača - Zahteve za izdelavo, geometrija vmesnika
in preskusne metode - Dopolnilo A1
Railway applications - Rescue coupler - Performance requirements, specific interface
geometry and test methods
Bahnanwendungen - Abschleppkupplung - Leistungsanforderungen, spezifische
Schnittstellengeometrie und Prüfverfahren
Applications ferroviaires - Attelage de secours - Exigences concernant la performance, la
géometrie des interfaces et les methodes d'essai
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 15020:2022/prA1
ICS:
45.060.10 Vlečna vozila Tractive stock
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 15020:2022
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
prA1
May 2025
ICS 45.060.01
English Version
Railway applications - Rescue coupler - Performance
requirements, specific interface geometry and test
methods
Applications ferroviaires - Attelage de secours - Bahnanwendungen - Abschleppkupplung -
Exigences concernant la performance, la géometrie des Leistungsanforderungen, spezifische
interfaces et les methodes d'essai Schnittstellengeometrie und Prüfverfahren
This draft amendment is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 256.

This draft amendment A1, if approved, will modify the European Standard EN 15020:2022. If this draft becomes an amendment,
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for inclusion of
this amendment into the relevant national standard without any alteration.

This draft amendment was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to pr
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