prEN 16839

Railway applications - Rolling stock - Head stock layout

This document is applicable to vehicles equipped with buffers and screw coupling systems.
In order to allow operation and coupling of trainsets or vehicles, this document specifies the
defined free space for the shunter called the "Berne rectangle" and the necessary free space for
the installation of the rescue coupler.
This document specifies the location, fixing and free spaces on the headstock of:
- buffers;
- screw coupling systems;
- end cocks;
- pneumatic half couplings;
- connections for electric cables.
It also specifies the calculation of the width of the buffer heads.
Unless otherwise displayed, all dimensions given in this document are nominal values.

Bahnanwendungen - Schienenfahrzeuge - Anordnung der Bauteile am Kopfstück

Dieses Dokument gilt für mit Puffern und Schraubenkupplungssystemen ausgestattete Schienenfahrzeuge.
Um den Betrieb und das Kuppeln von Triebzügen oder Fahrzeugen zu ermöglichen, legt dieses Dokument den definierten freizuhaltenden Raum für den Rangierer, bezeichnet als „Berner Raum“, sowie den erforderlichen freizuhaltenden Raum für die Befestigung der Abschleppkupplung fest.
Dieses Dokument legt die Position, die Befestigung und die freizuhaltenden Räume am Kopfstück fest von:
-   Puffern;
-   Schraubenkupplungssystemen;
-   Luftabsperrhähnen;
-   Bremskupplungen;
-   Anschlüssen für elektrische Kabel.
Sie legt auch die Berechnung der Breite der Pufferteller fest.
Sofern nicht anderweitig angegeben, sind alle in diesem Dokument Norm angegebenen Maße Nennwerte.

Applications ferroviaires - Matériel roulant ferroviaires - Agencement de la traverse de tête

Le présent document est valide pour des véhicules ferroviaires équipés de tampons et de systèmes d'attelage.
Afin de permettre l'utilisation et l'attelage des rames automotrices ou des véhicules, le présent document spécifie l'espace libre défini pour l'agent de manœuvre, appelé « rectangle de Berne », et l'espace libre nécessaire pour l'installation de l'attelage de secours.
Le présent document spécifie l'emplacement, la fixation et les espaces libres des éléments suivants sur la traverse de tête :
-   tampons ;
-   systèmes d'attelage ;
-   robinets d'extrémité ;
-   demi-accouplements pneumatiques ;
-   raccordements des câbles électriques.
Elle spécifie également les calculs de largeur des plateaux de tampons.
Sauf indication contraire, toutes les dimensions figurant dans le présent document sont des valeurs nominales.

Železniške naprave - Vozna sredstva - Postavitev glavnega parka

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• ICS: 45.040 - Materials and components for railway engineering
• 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
• Due Date: 02-Aug-2021
• Completion Date: 02-Aug-2021
• Directive: 2008/57/EC - Directive 2008/57/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 on the interoperability of the rail system within the Community (Recast)
• 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
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 16839:2020 - Railway applications - Rolling stock - Head stock layout

RELATIONS

• Revised: EN 16839:2017 - Railway applications - Rolling stock - Head stock layout
• Effective Date: 25-Apr-2018

Standards Content (sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 16839:2020
01-november-2020
Železniške naprave - Vozna sredstva - Postavitev glavnega parka
Railway applications - Rolling stock - Head stock layout
Bahnanwendungen - Schienenfahrzeuge - Anordnung der Bauteile am Kopfstück

Applications ferroviaires - Matériel roulant ferroviaires - Agencement de la traverse de

tête
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 16839
ICS:
45.040 Materiali in deli za železniško Materials and components
tehniko for railway engineering
oSIST prEN 16839:2020 en,fr,de

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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oSIST prEN 16839:2020
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oSIST prEN 16839:2020
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 16839
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
September 2020
ICS 45.040 Will supersede EN 16839:2017
English Version
Railway applications - Rolling stock - Head stock layout

Applications ferroviaires - Matériel roulant ferroviaires Bahnanwendungen - Schienenfahrzeuge - Anordnung

- Agencement de la traverse de tête der Bauteile am Kopfstück

This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee

CEN/TC 256.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations

which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard 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, Turkey 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 provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without

notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels

© 2020 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 16839:2020 E

worldwide for CEN national Members.
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Contents Page

European foreword ....................................................................................................................................................... 5

1 Scope .................................................................................................................................................................... 6

2 Normative references .................................................................................................................................... 6

3 Terms and definitions ................................................................................................................................... 7

4 Free spaces ........................................................................................................................................................ 8

4.1 General ................................................................................................................................................................ 8

4.2 Berne rectangle ............................................................................................................................................. 10

4.3 Free spaces for coupling of coaches ...................................................................................................... 10

4.4 Climb protection ........................................................................................................................................... 11

5 Buffers .............................................................................................................................................................. 11

5.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................. 11

5.2 Position of buffers on the headstock ..................................................................................................... 11

5.3 Buffer fixing .................................................................................................................................................... 12

5.4 Interaction coupling/buffer ..................................................................................................................... 14

5.5 Requirements to avoid buffer locking .................................................................................................. 15

6 Screw coupling .............................................................................................................................................. 18

6.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................. 18

6.2 Position of draw gear on the headstock ............................................................................................... 19

6.3 Clearances around the draw hook ......................................................................................................... 19

6.4 Draw gear fixing ........................................................................................................................................... 21

7 Brake pipe connections ............................................................................................................................. 21

8 Pneumatic half couplings .......................................................................................................................... 23

9 Electrical connections ................................................................................................................................ 24

Annex A (normative) Calculation of the width of buffer heads ................................................................ 29

A.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................. 29

A.2 Data used in the calculation ..................................................................................................................... 30

A.3 Calculation ...................................................................................................................................................... 30

A.4 Return Value .................................................................................................................................................. 31

Annex B (normative) Validation of the calculated width of buffer heads by drawing

methodology .................................................................................................................................................. 32

B.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................. 32

B.2 Methods ........................................................................................................................................................... 32

Annex C (informative) Example of location of rest for unplugged half couplings ............................. 36

Annex D (normative) Special national conditions ......................................................................................... 39

Annex E (informative) Examples for permissible arrangement of brake pipe connections ......... 40

Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential

requirements of EU Directive 2016/797/EC aimed to be covered ............................................ 50

Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................................. 52

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Figures

Figure 1 — Free spaces .................................................................................................................................................................. 9

Figure 2 — Free spaces for coupling coaches .................................................................................................................... 10

Figure 3 — Buffer and drilling template for wagon ........................................................................................................ 13

Figure 4 — Mounting of buffers with non-metallic insert or head (top view) ..................................................... 15

Figure 5 — Boundary dimensions and minimum surface of buffer heads ............................................................ 16

Figure 6 — Relative position between buffers and draw hook .................................................................................. 19

Figure 7 — Clearances around the draw hook .................................................................................................................. 20

Figure 8 — For information interface of rescue coupler (example) and free spaces ........................................ 21

Figure 9 — End cock arrangement - 3D-View (example) ............................................................................................. 22

Figure 10 — End cock arrangement (example) ................................................................................................................ 23

Figure 11 — Electrical connections........................................................................................................................................ 24

Figure 12 — Electrical power supply connection ............................................................................................................ 25

Figure 13 — Electrical connection .......................................................................................................................................... 26

Figure 14 — Electro pneumatic brake connection (EP-brake)................................................................................... 28

Figure B.1 — The positions of the bogie vehicles in the track .................................................................................... 33

Figure B.2 — The positions of the other vehicles (non-bogie vehicles) in the track ......................................... 34

Figure B.3 — Buffer head interaction ― Drawing method (example) ..................................................................... 35

Figure C.1 — Location of rest for unplugged half coupling for brake pipe and main reservoir pipe ......... 36

Figure C.2 — Details of rest (Figure C.1, Item 3) – example ........................................................................................ 37

Figure C.3 — Example of a device for receiving a half coupling in uncoupled condition ................................ 38

Figure E.1 — Permissible arrangement only for vehicles (coaches, vans, freight wagons) fitted at

1.1.1969 with a continuous brake ........................................................................................................................ 41

Figure E.2 — Permissible arrangement only for vehicles (coaches, vans, freight wagons) fitted at

1.1.1969 with a continuous brake or only a train pipe ................................................................................ 42

Figure E.3 — Permissible arrangement of air brake pipe connections for freight wagons ............................ 43

Figure E.5 — Obligatory arrangement only for vehicles (coaches, vans, wagons bearing the marks

S and SS) fitted at 1.1.1969 with a continuous brake ................................................................................... 45

Figure E.6 — Permissible arrangement only for vehicles (coaches) fitted at 1.1.1969 with a

continuous brake or only a train pipe ................................................................................................................ 46

Figure E.7 — Obligatory arrangement only for vehicles (freight wagons) fitted at 1.1.1969 with a

continuous brake with two cocks at each side ................................................................................................ 47

Figure E.8 — Obligatory arrangement only for vehicles (freight wagons) fitted at 1.1.1969 with a

continuous brake with one cock at each side for wagons only ................................................................ 48

Figure E.9 — Obligatory arrangement only for vehicles (freight wagons) equipped with a

continuous brake and where relevant a main feed pipe with a chassis prepared for

automatic couplers ..................................................................................................................................................... 49

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Tables

Table 1 —Track gauge and distance between buffer centre-lines ............................................................................ 11

Table 2 —Height of buffers above top of the rail .............................................................................................................. 12

Table 3 — Standard widths of buffer heads for freight wagon................................................................................... 17

Table 4 — Widths of buffer heads for coaches .................................................................................................................. 17

Table 5 — Vehicle specification and valid methodology ............................................................................................... 18

Table 6 — Distances for the arrangement of cocks ......................................................................................................... 22

Table A.1 — Compensation value X and validation ......................................................................................................... 31

Table ZA.1— Correspondence between this European Standard, EU Regulation 321/2013 of the

Commission dated 13 March 2013 relative to the technical interoperability specification

relating to the sub-system “rolling stock – freight wagons” for rail systems in the European

Union (published in JOUE L 104, 12.04.2013, p.1) and Directive 2016/797/EC ................................ 50

Table ZA.2 — Correspondence between this European Standard,, the Commission Regulation

n°1302/2014 of 18 November 2014 concerning the technical specification for

interoperability relating to the ‘rolling stock locomotives and passenger rolling stock’ of

the rail system in the European Union (published in the Official Journal L 356, 12.12.2014,

p.228) and Directive 2016/797/EC ....................................................................................................................... 51

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European foreword

This document (prEN 16839:2020) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 256 “Railway

applications”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 16839:2017.

This document has been prepared under a standardization request given to CEN by the European

Commission and the European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of

EU Directive 2016/797/EC.

For relationship with EU Directive 2016/797/EC, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of

this document.
Compared to EN 16839:2017, the following essential modifications are intended:

a) Adaptation of the document with regard to overlapping contents to EN 15551 and EN 15566;

b) Revision of Figure 1 – Free spaces;
c) Revision of Figure 3 – Buffer and drilling template for wagon;

d) Revision of Figure 7 in 6.3 "Clearances around the draw hook" with consideration of the necessary

clearance for mounting the rescue coupler on locomotives;
e) Adaptation of Annex ZA to EU Directive 2016/797/EC;
f) Adaptation of normative references and editorial revision.
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1 Scope

This document is valid for rail vehicles equipped with buffers and screw coupling systems.

In order to allow operation and coupling of trainsets or vehicles, this document specifies the defined

free space for the shunter called the “Berne rectangle” and the necessary free space for the installation

of the rescue coupler.

This document specifies the location, fixing, and free spaces on the headstock of:

— buffers;
— screw coupling systems;
— end cocks;
— pneumatic half couplings;
— connections for electric cables.
It also specifies the calculation of the width of the buffer heads.

Unless otherwise displayed, all dimensions given in this document are nominal values.

2 Normative references

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content

constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For

undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

EN 13848-1:2003+A1:2008, Railway applications - Track - Track geometry quality - Part 1:

Characterisation of track geometry

EN 14601:2005+A1:2010, Railway applications - Straight and angled end cocks for brake pipe and main

reservoir pipe

prEN 15020:2019, Railway applications - Rescue coupler - Performance requirements, specific interface

geometry and test methods
prEN 15551:2019, Railway applications - Railway rolling stock - Buffers

prEN 15566:2019, Railway applications - Railway rolling stock - Draw gear and screw coupling

prEN 15807:2019, Railway applications - Pneumatic half couplings

EN 15877-1:2012+A1:2018, Railway applications - Marking on railway vehicles - Part 1: Freight wagons

EN 16286-1:2013, Railway applications - Gangway systems between vehicles - Part 1: Main applications

EN 60529:1991 , Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code) (IEC 60529:1989)

ISO 3864 (all parts), Graphical symbols - Safety colours and safety signs
1) As impacted by EN 60529:1991/A1:2000 and EN 60529:1991/A2:2013.
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3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 14601:2005+A1:2010,

prEN 15551:2019, prEN 15566:2019, prEN 15807:2019 and the following apply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:

— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
Berne rectangle

defined free space which is needed to ensure safe working conditions for the shunting staff during

coupling and uncoupling of screw couplings
3.2
clearance
areas needed for moveable parts
3.3
contact plane of buffers

plane tangent to buffing surfaces of both buffer heads at the end of the vehicle perpendicular to running

surface
Note 1 to entry: See EN 13848-1:2003+A1:2008, 3.1.4 and 4.1.
Note 2 to entry: Also named as “buffing plane”.
Note 3 to entry: “Running surface” sometimes also named as “Top of Rail (TOR)”.
3.4
free space
area free of equipment used for protection for, e.g. shunters
3.5
headstock

part of the underframe with a vertical reference plane at the ends of the vehicle where the buffers are

fixed
Note 1 to entry: Headstock includes the part where draw gear is fixed.
3.6
guidance device for draw hook
device to guide and support the draw hook
3.7
shunter
member of staff who couples and uncouples railway vehicles
3.8
symmetrical buffer

buffer, wherein the buffer head is, regardless of its contour geometry, mounted on its width dimension

symmetrically to the centre-line of the buffer housing or to the predetermined nominal position of the

buffer centre-line
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4 Free spaces
4.1 General

To ensure safe working conditions and also for easy operation for the shunters during coupling and

uncoupling, it is necessary to define required free spaces.

With the exception of the shunter's handrails there shall be no devices under the buffers that limit the

shunter's access for coupling operations.

Flexible connecting cables and flexible parts of hoses may penetrate these spaces.

The flexible parts of gangways according to EN 16286-1:2013 may infringe the Berne rectangle.

For assessment of free spaces, the coupling gear components shall be positioned on the centre-line of

the vehicle.
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Dimension in millimetres
Key
1 free space for the shunter (Berne rectangle)
2 free space above running surface without moveable parts (e.g. couplers, pipes)
3 running surface
4 lower edge of buffer head
5 contact plane of fully elastic compressed buffers
6 free spaces, free of fixed devices behind the buffer head above its lower edge
Figure 1 — Free spaces

NOTE Steps and handrails are not part of this document. The dimensions of the shunter steps and handrails

and the clearance around these arrangements are given in EN 16116-1 and EN 16116-2.

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4.2 Berne rectangle

The free space for shunters during coupling is called “Berne rectangle”. Vehicles shall be designed in

such a way that staff are not exposed to undue risk during coupling and uncoupling. The spaces shown

in Figure 1 shall be free of fixed parts in all service conditions.

Any device fixed on a vehicle shall remain at least 40 mm behind the contact plane of fully compressed

buffers above the lower edge of the buffer head.
4.3 Free spaces for coupling of coaches
See free spaces from 4.1 and Figure 2.

The limit of the securing devices for the gangway side plate (if fitted) shall be located at a minimum

distance of 495 mm from the vehicle longitudinal centre-line.
Dimension in millimetres
Key
1 for the shunter (Berne rectangle)
2 not shown in this view (see Figure 1)
3 not shown in this view (see Figure 1)
4 not shown in this view (see Figure 1)
5 contact plane of fully elastic compressed buffers
6 free spaces, free of fixed devices behind the buffer head above its lower edge
7 free space for gangway side plate
Figure 2 — Free spaces for coupling coaches
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4.4 Climb protection

On vehicles, where buffer climb protection is used (compulsory for vehicles subjected to regulations for

dangerous goods), the climb protection shall not restrict the free spaces.

NOTE For buffer climb protection on vehicles subjected to regulations for dangerous goods, see also TE 25 on

RID.
5 Buffers
5.1 General

The following requirements apply to vehicles equipped at least at one end with two buffers according to

prEN 15551:2019, fixed symmetrically to the longitudinal centre-line of the vehicle.

5.2 Position of buffers on the headstock
5.2.1 Distance between buffers

The standard distance between buffer centre-lines shall be nominally according to Table 1.

Table 1 —Track gauge and distance between buffer centre-lines
Track gauge Distance between buffer centre-lines
mm mm
1 435 1 750 ± 10
Interchangeable 1 435/1 524 1 790 ± 10
Interchangeable 1 435/1 600 1 905 ± 3
Interchangeable 1 435/1 668 1 850 ± 10
1 524 1 830 ± 10
1 600 1 905 ± 3
1 668 1 850 ± 10

It is permitted for dual gauge units (interchangeable wheel sets) intended for running between

standard gauge network 1 435 mm and broad-gauge networks to have a different value of the distance

between buffer centre-lines (e.g. 1 850 mm), provided that full compatibility with buffers for standard

1 435 mm gauge is ensured.

Buffers shall be sized so that in horizontal curves and reverse curves, it is not possible for vehicles to

lock buffers. The minimum horizontal overlap between buffer heads in contact shall be 25 mm.

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5.2.2 Height of buffers above top of the rail

The height b of the centre-line of the buffers to the top of the rail shall be in all loading and wear

conditions in accordance with Table 2.
Table 2 —Height of buffers above top of the rail
Type b
Locomotive 940 mm to 1 065 mm
Coach 980 mm to 1 065 mm
Freight wagon and car carrier 940 mm to 1 065 mm
5.3 Buffer fixing
5.3.1 Vehicles without crashworthy buffer systems
The buffers shall be attached to the vehicle headstock.

The screws shall be M 24, grade 8.8, and self-locking nuts, grade 8, shall be used. The screws shall have

a threaded projection of at least three threads.
The recommended tightening torque should be 690 Nm.
For wagons, distance between holes shall be in accordance with Figure 3.

For wagons fitted with 150 mm stroke buffers, pins in the headstock, which indicate that this kind of

buffer shall be used, shall be located at the right side of each buffer (looking at the buffer head) as

shown in Figure 3, item 1, Section A – A. The protrusion of the pin shall be at minimum 20 mm.

NOTE To avoid confusion of buffers with different strokes, buffers with 150 mm stroke therefore have an

opening at their right side, buffers with 105 mm stroke do not have this opening.

The hole spacing (280 × 160) mm for freight wagons should also be used for passenger coaches, vans

and locomotives.
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Dimension in millimetres
Key
pin only for buffer with 150 mm stroke
centre-line of the vehicle.
distance from buffer centre-line to buffer centre-line (see Table 1)
magnified section
Figure 3 — Buffer and drilling template for wagon
5.3.2 Vehicles with crashworthy buffer systems

Vehicles that use crashworthy buffers or buffers which form part of a combined system consisting of a

special buffer and a deformation element may have a different mounting configuration (e.g. position of

flange, thread diameter, number of screws and their position).

NOTE These vehicles are locomotives, driving trailers or passenger coaches according to EN 15227 or tank

wagons according to the Regulation for Dangerous Goods.

The marking for wagons fitted with crashworthy buffer systems shall be according to

EN 15877-1:2012+A1:2018.
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5.4 Interaction coupling/buffer
5.4.1 General

To ensure that the train is able to negotiate horizontal curves of 150 m radius safely, the static

characteristics of draw gear and buffers shall be coordinated.

A guideline value of 250 kN should not be exceeded for the compression force of a pair of buffers in

contact on a horizontal curve of 150 m.

Unless otherwise specified in the technical specification, the stiffest static characteristics of the buffer

and draw gear combined together with the static test methods according to prEN 15566:2019 and

prEN 15551:2019 are to apply for evidence of buffer compression force.

The age of elastic elements in operational service should also be taken into account.

Conformity to these requirements may be assessed by calculation.

NOTE 1 The technical specification can define additional conditions for tested elastic devices, as for example

temperature range, which for static characteristics are to be taken into account.

NOTE 2 For new elastic devices, the available experience related assessed values can be applied.

To determine the compression force for vehicles, the calculation method shown under section 3 of

RP 32 of ORE B 36 may be used (the method described in this report is also applicable for coaches and

locomotives). This calculation method may also allow to determine stress levels on smaller radius

curves. If the coupling practice creates pretension forces, these shall be taken into account.

NOTE 3 The calculation method on curves according to RP 32 of ORE B 36 also gives confidence for an S-curve

of 150 m with an intermediate straight of 6 m.
5.4.2 Mounting of buffers

Two buffers with the same elastic system, category, head dimension, stroke and type of housing shall be

fitted at each vehicle end. The nominal length of the buffers on each side shall be the same.

Hous
...