CEN/TC 256 - Railway applications

This document specifies the laboratory test procedure to determine:
a)   the maximum longitudinal force that can be applied to a rail, secured to a sleeper, bearer or element of ballastless track by a rail fastening assembly, without non-elastic displacement of the rail occurring, or the longitudinal stiffness at a specified longitudinal displacement of a specimen of embedded rail with an adhesive fastening system, and for any type of fastening;
b)   the shear displacement and slip data required for track-bridge interaction calculations.

This document specifies a laboratory test procedure for determining the electrical resistance, in wet conditions, between the running rails provided by a fastening system fitted to a steel or concrete sleeper, bearer or element of ballastless track.
It is also applicable to embedded rail.
This test procedure applies to a complete fastening assembly. It is relevant to signalling currents, not to traction currents.
A reference procedure and an alternative procedure are included.

This document specifies a test procedure to confirm that the force necessary to pull the anchorage of a rail fastening assembly out of the sleeper or other supporting element is greater than a prescribed value (i.e. it is a "proof load" test).
This test is for components of the fastening system which are:
a)   cast into concrete during the manufacture of sleepers or other supporting elements;
b)   glued into the cast or drilled holes in concrete; or
c)   screwed or otherwise attached to wood, polymeric composite or steel sleepers or other supporting elements.
This test is not applicable to embedded rails.

This document specifies the laboratory test procedure for determining the clamping force exerted by the fastening system on the foot of the rail by measuring the force to separate the rail foot from its immediate support. When required, the procedure is also used to determine the uplift stiffness of the fastening system.
It is applicable to systems with and without baseplates on all types of sleepers, bearers or elements of ballastless track. The test does not determine the security of the fastening components fixed into the sleeper or other fastening system support.
This test procedure applies to a complete fastening assembly. It is not applicable to fastening systems for embedded rail or other fastening systems which do not act on the foot of the rail.

This document specifies laboratory test procedures to determine the static and low-frequency dynamic stiffness of rail pads, baseplate pads and complete rail fastening assemblies.

This document specifies a laboratory test procedure for applying repeated load cycles which generate displacement cycles representative of the displacements caused by traffic on railway track. It is used for assessing the long-term performance of rail fastening systems.
This document is applicable to surface mounted rail on sleepers, bearers and slab track and embedded rail.
This test procedure applies to a complete fastening assembly.

This document specifies the terms and definitions used in the ISO 22074 series of standards related to rail fastening systems.
NOTE In this document, there are some entries where more than one term is listed in the header (e.g. sleeper, tie, cross tie in 3.2.3). In such cases, the first term is the preferred term, generally used in the ISO 22074 series of standards. The other terms are also in common use in the railway industry and are considered to be synonymous (admitted terms).

This document specifies a laboratory test procedure for finding the effect of exposure to severe environmental conditions on the fastening system.
This test procedure applies to a complete fastening assembly including embedded rail with mechanical fastenings. It is not applicable to embedded rail systems relying on adhesive components to secure the rail.

This document specifies the fire resistance requirements and testing methods for fire barriers for railway vehicles.
The objective of the measures and requirements, specified in this document, is to protect passengers and staff in railway vehicles in the event of a developing fire on board.
Use of a Fire Containment and Control System, where permitted as an alternative to a fire barrier, is not in the scope of this document. It is not within the scope of this document to describe measures that ensure the preservation of the railway vehicles in the event of a fire.

This document specifies fire safety requirements for railway vehicle design to cover the objectives specified in EN 45545-1:2013.
The measures and requirements specified in this document aim to protect passengers and staff in railway vehicles in the event of a fire on board by minimizing the risk of a fire starting, delaying the fire development and controlling the spread of fire products through the railway vehicle, thus aiding evacuation.
It is not within the scope of this document to describe measures which ensure the preservation of the railway vehicles in the event of a fire.

This document specifies the functionality, position, constraints and control of a magnetic track brake system (MTB system) installed in bogies for use in emergency braking and in low adhesion conditions on Mainline Trains with speeds up to 280 km/h. It covers high suspension types of MTB only and not high/low and low suspension type of MTB.
This document also contains test methods and acceptance criteria for an MTB system. It identifies interfaces with electrical equipment, bogie, track and other brake systems.
On the basis of the existing international and national standards, additional requirements are defined for:
-   conditions of application for the MTB system;
-   retardation and brake forces;
-   functional and design features;
-   strength requirements;
-   type, series and vehicle implementation tests.
For design and calculation a "reference surface" is established.

This European Standard deals with mechanical rail joints for flat bottom rails 46 kg/m and over. The scope of this standard is: to
establish requirements for insulated and non-insulated rail joints, for stressed rail (continuous welded rail, CWR) and unstressed rail (jointed track); to define mechanical and electrical requirements for type approval and for acceptance of insulated rail joints which are manufactured in a factory (prefab construction) as well as assembled onsite (site construction). This standard specifies the minimum requirements. Special applications as for instance tram systems may require different demands in certain paragraphs and should be agreed between customer and supplier. The scope also excludes expansion joints (it is covered in EN 13232-8), and special joints in switch constructions.

This document specifies a design assessment procedure of a forged and rolled monobloc wheel (RST). This assessment is carried out before the wheel is commissioned. This document describes, in particular, the assessment to be performed in order to use wheels on a European network which, in addition, have quality requirements in conformity with those defined in EN 13262.
This assessment requires that the conditions of use for the wheel are defined and this standard provides a method for defining those conditions.
The assessment of the design covers four aspects:
- a geometrical aspect: to allow interchangeability of different solutions for the same application;
­- a thermomechanical aspect: to manage wheel deformations and to ensure that braking will not cause wheels to fracture;
- a mechanical aspect: to ensure that no fatigue cracks occur in the wheel web and that no permanent deformation occurs under exceptional loading;
- an acoustic aspect: to ensure that the solution chosen is as good as the reference wheel.
This document does not cover assessment of the hub or of the rim.
This document has been drawn up for wheels of non­powered tread­braked wheelsets and applies in full to this type of wheel. For wheels on which disc brakes are mounted or toothed transmission wheels or even wheels with noise reduction devices, the requirements may be amended or supplemented.
For urban railway vehicles, other standards or documents may be used.

This document specifies the functional requirements for rail vehicle windscreens, including type testing, routine testing, and inspection methods for high speed rail, heavy rail, and urban rail vehicles, including metro and tram applications.
This document is also applicable for tram vehicles.
For on-track machines (OTMs) when in transport mode (self-propelled or hauled) the requirements of this standard are applicable. OTMs in working configuration are outside the scope of this document.
Determination of the size, shape, orientation and position of windscreens is outside the scope of this document. These data form part of the windscreen technical specification.
This document applies to windscreens made of laminated glass, which is the most commonly used material but also to other materials, subject to the performance requirements being satisfied.
This document does not specify requirements for the interfaces between the windscreen and the vehicle. Accordingly this document does not address issues relating to: installation, structural integrity and crashworthiness.

This European Standard specifies the laboratory method for measuring the sound absorption performance of railway noise barriers and related devices acting on airborne sound propagation in reverberant conditions. It covers the assessment of the intrinsic sound absorption performance of devices that can reasonably be assembled inside the testing facility described in EN ISO 354.
This method is not intended for the determination of the intrinsic characteristics of sound absorption of noise barriers and related devices acting on airborne sound propagation to be installed on railways in non-reverberant conditions.
The test method in EN ISO 354 referred to in this European Standard excludes devices that act as weakly damped resonators. Some devices will depart significantly from these requirements and in these cases, care is needed in interpreting the results.

This document describes a test method for measuring a quantity representative of the intrinsic characteristics of sound absorption from railway noise barriers and related devices acting on airborne sound propagation, the sound reflection index RI, and then calculate a single-number rating for sound absorption from it.
The test method is intended for the following applications:
-   determination of the intrinsic characteristics of sound absorption of noise barriers and related devices acting on airborne sound propagation to be installed along railways, to be measured either on typical installations alongside railways or on a relevant sample section;
-   determination of the intrinsic characteristics of sound absorption of noise barriers and related devices acting on airborne sound propagation in actual use under direct sound field conditions;
-   comparison of design specifications with actual performance data after the completion of the construction work;
-   verification of the long-term performance of noise barriers and related devices acting on airborne sound propagation (with a repeated application of the method).
The test method is not intended for the following applications:
-   determination of the intrinsic characteristics of sound absorption of noise barriers and related devices acting on airborne sound propagation to be installed in reverberant conditions, e.g. inside tunnels or deep trenches.
Results for the sound reflection index are expressed as a function of frequency, in one-third octave bands, where possible, between 100 Hz and 5 kHz. If it is not possible to get valid measurements results over the whole frequency range indicated, the results are given in a restricted frequency range and the reasons of the restriction(s) are clearly reported.

This document specifies a measurement method and conditions to obtain reproducible and comparable sound reduction indices of all kinds of rail bound vehicles’ gangway systems as specified in EN 16286 1. The setup includes all components of the system mounted like this is done between two adjacent car bodies within the train, so that a person will be able to use the gangway system, consisting of e.g.:
—   the bridge system (footplate);
—   side panels;
—   flexible components (bellows);
—   mounting systems;
—   elements to couple parts in the case of separable gangway systems.
The method is applicable to type testing of gangways.
This method is not applicable to:
—   interior noise measurements in vehicles;
—   structure borne noise measurements.
The type testing procedures specified in this document are of engineering grade (grade 2) in the frequency range from 100 Hz up to 5 000 Hz.
NOTE   This is the preferred range for noise declaration purposes, as specified in EN ISO 12001. If test conditions are relaxed, the results are no longer of engineering grade (grade 2).

This document specifies the method to be followed to achieve a satisfactory design of bogie frames and includes design procedures, assessment methods, verification and manufacturing quality requirements. It is limited to the structural requirements of bogie frames including bolsters and axlebox housings. For the purpose of this document, these terms are taken to include all functional attachments, e.g. damper brackets.

This document specifies the laboratory method for measuring the airborne sound insulation performance of railway noise barriers in reverberant conditions. It covers the assessment of the intrinsic performance of noise barriers and related devices acting on airborne sound propagation that can reasonably be assembled inside the testing facility described in EN ISO 10140 2 and EN ISO 10140 4.
This method is not intended for the determination of the intrinsic characteristics of airborne sound insulation of noise barriers to be installed on railway in non-reverberant conditions.
All noise reducing devices different from noise barriers and related devices acting on airborne sound propagation, e.g. devices for attenuation of ground borne vibration and on board devices, are out of the scope of this document.

This document describes a test method for measuring a quantity representative of the intrinsic characteristics of airborne sound insulation for rail noise barriers and related devices: the sound insulation index.
The test method is intended for the following applications:
-   determination of the intrinsic characteristics of airborne sound insulation of noise barriers and related devices to be installed along railways, to be measured either on typical installations alongside railways or in laboratory conditions;
-   determination of the intrinsic characteristics of airborne sound insulation of noise barriers and related devices in actual use;
-   comparison of design specifications with actual performance data after the completion of the construction work;
-   verification of the long-term performance of noise barriers and related devices (with a repeated application of the method);
-   interactive design process of new products, including the formulation of installation manuals.
The test method is not intended for the determination of the intrinsic characteristics of airborne sound insulation of noise barriers and related devices to be installed in reverberant conditions, e.g. inside tunnels or deep trenches or under covers.
Results are expressed as a function of frequency in one-third octave bands, where possible, between 100 Hz and 5 kHz. If it is not possible to get valid measurement results over the whole frequency range indicated, the results need to be given in a restricted frequency range and the reasons for the restriction(s) need to be clearly reported.

revised Annexe ZA

This document specifies technical requirements and tolerances for the acceptance of works on ballasted track situated on:
-   plain line;
-   switches and crossings; and
-   rail expansion devices as part of the track
for 1 435 mm and wider track gauge railways.
The works on ballasted track, hereafter referred to as track works, concern construction of new track, track renewal and track maintenance.
This document specifies the requirements for substructure works, track geometry, absolute track position, working parameters of on track machines, track components, ballast cross section, structure gauge, stressing works, specific measurements and quality checks for switches and crossings and rail expansion devices, and for the measuring systems used to perform measurements, verifications and checks for the scope of acceptance. Requirements for responsibilities and documentation necessary for the acceptance of track works are specified.
This document also requires compliance of all track materials with the customer’s relevant acceptance criteria and specifications provided by the supplier.
This document does not cover works related to reprofiling the railhead or the associated measurements, except for some measurements related to safety, as these works are covered by other parts of EN 13231 series.
Platform reconstruction works and level crossing works are not covered by this document.
This document does not apply to urban rail systems or ballastless track.

This document defines the process to determine the conditions under which dispensation from on-track testing according to EN 14363:2016+A2:2022 can be given to freight wagons. In its application this document specifies the means by which dispensation from on-track tests is possible.
This document is subordinate to EN 14363:2016+A2:2022.
The dispensation conditions described in this document apply to all freight wagons and non-powered special vehicles with operating conditions of freight trains, which are operated on the heavy rail network with standard gauge (1 435 mm).
NOTE 1   The various rail-inclinations used in Europe (1:20, 1:40 and 1:30) are covered by the conditions for dispensation.
This document is not limited to any type of freight vehicle; however, freight wagons with defined parameters and equipped with certain running gear types, which have been previously accepted, are considered to have a continuing dispensation from on-track testing. The parameters of these freight wagons and running gear are detailed within this document.
NOTE 2   The test procedures described in this document (and in EN 14363:2016+A2:2022) can be applied also to applications with other track gauges e.g. 1 524 mm or 1 668 mm. The limit values could be different. If established running gear are existing in such restricted networks the related ranges of running gear and vehicle parameters for dispensation from on-track tests might be specified together with the operational parameters (speed, cant deficiency, maximum axle load) based on previous tests and operating experiences. These limit values and parameters will be specified on national level.
This document only contains requirements for characteristics related to requirements for on-track tests specified in EN 14363:2016+A2:2022.

This document specifies the requirements for hygiene and cleanliness on railway vehicles and where appropriate the necessary interfacing infrastructure equipment.
The areas specifically concerned on the railway vehicle include toilets, toilet doors, hand wash facilities, baby changing facilities, feminine hygiene articles management and fresh water supply. In the catering areas for water supply and disposal systems only.
This document also includes extensive guidance and best practice to assist in the design, manufacture, operation and maintenance of railway vehicle hygiene equipment.

This document defines the classification levels for welded components, the types of activity typically undertaken and the requirements to be fulfilled to demonstrate conformance.

This document specifies a normalized railway noise spectrum for the evaluation and assessment of the acoustic performance of devices designed to reduce airborne railway noise near railways.
All noise reducing devices different from noise barriers and related devices acting on airborne sound propagation, e.g. devices for attenuation of ground borne vibration and on board devices are outside of the scope of this document.

This document specifies the requirements of adhesion materials intended to be applied to the interface between the wheel tread and the rail crown (active interface). It can be applied either directly or indirectly to the wheel tread or rail.
It outlines the information required for most approval procedures, the method of testing and routine control/monitoring of the material.
This document does not deal with Top of Rail materials. For Top of Rail materials see CEN/TS 15427 2 2:2023.

This document specifies a normalized railway noise spectrum for the evaluation and assessment of the acoustic performance of devices designed to reduce airborne railway noise near railways.
All noise reducing devices different from noise barriers and related devices acting on airborne sound propagation, e.g. devices for attenuation of ground borne vibration and on board devices are outside of the scope of this document.

Revised Annex ZA

This document specifies the requirements of materials intended to be applied to the interface between the wheel tread and the rail crown (active interface). It can be applied either directly or indirectly to the wheel tread or rail.
It outlines the information required for most approval procedures, the method of testing and routine control/monitoring of the material.
This document does not deal with adhesion materials, for example:
-   sand;
-   adhesion enhancers.

The scope of this part is:
-   to describe the design process of switches and crossings, and the use of the other parts of this standard;
-   to define the main criteria to be taken into account during the design of the layout, including the safety and functional dimensions as well as geometrical and material aspects;
-   to define the main criteria to be verified during the design approval;
-   to define the geometrical and non-geometrical acceptance criteria for inspection of layouts assembled both in the fabrication plant and at track site in case of layouts that are delivered non or partially assembled or in a "kit" form;
-   to determine the limits of supply;
-   to define the minimum requirements for traceability.
This European Standard applies only to layouts that are assembled in the manufacturing plant or that are assembled for the first time at trackside.
Other aspects such as installation and maintenance also influence performance; these are not considered as part of this European Standard.

This document specifies the criteria for system acceptance and type approval of a wheel slide protection (WSP) system. It also specifies criteria for the implementation of WSP to specific vehicle applications and specific operating conditions, as well as requirements for wheel rotation monitoring (WRM). This includes the design, testing and quality assessment of the WSP and WRM systems and their components.
This European Standard does not apply to vehicles on rubber tyred wheels or vehicles equipped with hydraulic brakes.

This European Standard provides an accepted "terminology" for switch and crossing work. With the assistance of diagrams, the various components are given definitions, and these specific names are regarded as obligatory.
The definitions cover the constituent parts and design geometry of switch and crossing work, and include the movement of switches. Additional terminology of a more specific nature will be defined in the relevant part of the series.
The present definitions set out the terms most generally used for the geometrical form and the construction of switches and crossings, omitting those of too special a nature.

This document:
—   establishes the design process for switches and crossings (S&C), and the use of the other parts of this standard;
—   specifies the geometric design principles for wheel guidance;
—   establishes the basic limits of supply;
—   establishes the applied forces and their adequate support;
—   specifies tolerance levels.
These are illustrated herein by application to a turnout. The main switch and crossing components are represented in turnouts and the principles used in turnouts apply equally to more complex layouts.

This document defines the main wheel/track interaction criteria to be taken into account during the geometrical design of railway switches and crossings (S&C) layouts.
It specifies:
—   characterization of wheel and track dimensions;
—   geometric design principles for wheel guidance;
—   design principles for wheel load transfer;
—   whether movable crossings are needed.
These are illustrated by their application to turnout components:
—   switches;
—   crossings;
—   check rails,
but the principles apply equally to more complex units. There are also simplified definitions of the safety and functional dimensions, which can be used in conjunction with the general principles as the basis for more in-depth assessment.

This part of EN 45545 specifies the reaction to fire performance requirements for materials and products used on railway vehicles as defined in EN 45545-1.
The operation and design categories defined in EN 45545-1 are used to establish hazard levels that are used as the basis of a classification system.
For each hazard level, this part specifies the test methods, test conditions and reaction to fire performance requirements.
It is not within the scope of this European Standard to describe measures that ensure the preservation of the vehicles in the event of a fire.

This document:
—   establishes a working definition for switches and their constituent parts and identify the main types;
—   specifies the minimum requirements for the manufacture of the switches and/or constituent parts;
—   specifies codes of practice for inspection and manufacturing tolerances of both full and half sets of switches and their constituent parts;
—   establishes the limits and scope of supply;
—   lists the methods by which switches and their parts should be identified and traced;
—   lists the different and varying ways by which switches can be described using the following parameters:
—   geometry of the switches;
—   types of construction;
—   performance requirements;
—   design criteria;
—   tolerances and inspection.

This part of EN 13232 covers the following subjects: to establish a working terminology for expansion devices, for their constituent parts and for the types; to specify the minimum manufacturing requirements for expansion devices and their constituent parts; to formulate codes of practice for inspection and tolerances; to define the method by which expansion devices and their parts should be identified and traced.

This document determines the interface between moveable parts and the actuation, locking and detection equipment, and defines the basic criteria for switches and crossing with moveable parts in respect of the interface.
It concerns:
—   rules, parameters and tolerances for alternative positions of the moveable parts;
—   criteria and limits for the forces which move and restrain the moveable parts.

This document specifies rules and limits for track alignment design parameters, including alignments within switches and crossings. Several of these limits are functions of speed. Alternatively, for a given track alignment, it specifies rules and limits that determine permissible speed with regards to track alignment.
This document applies to urban or suburban rail networks for passenger services not integrated with the national network.
Sections of urban or suburban rail networks integrated in the national rail networks are not covered by this document. They are covered by EN 13803 (or for nominal track gauges smaller than 1 435 mm by national alignment rules).
For the purpose of this document, urban or suburban rail networks include:
-   Networks designed for own right of way and segregated from general road and pedestrian traffic,
and
-   Networks (partly) not segregated from general road and pedestrian traffic, with shared lanes.
This document applies to rail systems with steel wheels running on steel vignole or grooved rails. Rail systems with specific construction issues (e.g. rack railways, funicular railways and other types of cable drawn rail systems) are not covered by this document.
This document defines the parameters, rules and limits for nominal track gauges of 1 435 mm and 1 000 mm with permissible speeds up to 120 km/h. For other nominal track gauges, this document defines conversion rules which shall be used to define the limits.

This document:
—   Establish a working terminology for fixed crossings and their constituent parts, and identifies the main types;
—   specifies the different and varying ways by which crossings can be described using the following parameters:
—   geometry of the crossing;
—   types of construction;
—   design criteria;
—   manufacturing processes;
—   tolerances and inspection.

This document is limited to specifying the requirements when applying adhesion material to the interface between the wheel tread and the crown of the rail and includes both trainborne and trackside solutions.
This document only covers the equipment and application of adhesion material to the active interface.
This document defines:
-   the characteristics that systems for the application of adhesion materials of the wheel-rail interface shall achieve, together with applicable inspection and test methods to be carried out for verification;
-   all relevant terminology which is specific to the adhesion materials of the wheel-rail interface.
This document applies to the mainline railway.
NOTE 1   This document can also be used for other railways, e.g. urban rail.
NOTE 2   Where technologies are used to influence the wheel/rail interface, other than the application of an adhesion material, this document is out of scope but can be used as guidance.

This document is limited to specifying the requirements when applying material to the active interface between the wheel tread and the crown of the rail and includes trainborne and track side equipment.
This document only covers the equipment and application of material to the active interface.
This document specifies:
-   the characteristics of top of rail equipment for wheel-rail interface, together with applicable inspection and test methods to be carried out for verification;
-   all relevant terminology which is specific to the application of top of rail materials at the wheel-rail interface.
This document applies to the mainline railway.
NOTE   This document can also be used for other railways, e.g. urban rail.

This document:
—   establishes a working terminology for crossings with moveable parts, which means crossings with moveable parts to close the gap of the running edge, and their constituent parts, and identify the main types;
—   lists the minimum requirements for the manufacture of crossings with moveable parts and/or their constituent parts;
—   formulates codes of practice for factory inspection and tolerances for crossings with moveable parts and/or their constituent parts;
—   establishes the limits and extent of supply;
—   lists the method by which crossings with moveable parts and their constructional parts should be identified;
—   lists the different and varying ways by which crossings with moveable parts can be described, using the following parameters:
—   geometry of crossings;
—   types of construction;
—   performance requirements;
—   design criteria;
—   tolerances and inspection.

This document provides terms and definitions for rail networks and rail vehicles guided by track and wheels, both made of steel and/or other materials.
This includes heavy rail and urban rail systems.
This document is applicable as a reference for future European Standards and the revision of existing standards and represents a set of general technical terms and definitions.
This document does not apply to specific applications such as:
-   track construction and maintenance machines not travelling on rails;
-   road-rail machines when not travelling on rails;
-   magnetic levitation transport networks and vehicles;
-   guided busways and guided busses;
-   non-public rail networks and vehicles, e.g. mine rail systems;
-   rail networks and vehicles exclusively for leisure, historical and tourist purposes, e.g. mountain-, field-, park-, cable rail systems, funiculars and theme park rides;
-   trolley busses.
Not in the scope are terms and definitions related to:
-   control command and signalling,
-   operation,
-   geographical aspects.

This document specifies the preparation and reproduction of design parts lists.
This document defines the basic principles and structure of design parts lists.
This document is applicable to all design parts lists for railway applications.

This document specifies the preparation, administration, and reproduction of technical documents.
It complies with the requirements of EN, ISO or IEC Standards for technical documents.
This document is applicable to all to technical documents for railway applications, irrespective of technology i.e., mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, electronic etc.

This document specifies the basis of revising technical design documents.
This document is applicable to all technical design documents for railway applications, irrespective of the material form like transparency originals, plotter drawings, aperture cards, computer readable data media, photoprints etc.

ISO 19659-1:2017 is applicable to rail vehicles and specifies the terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviated terms to be used in the ISO 19659 series, heating, ventilation and air conditioning for rolling stock.

This document specifies the external front and rear visibility conditions from cabs of tram
vehicles and the associated assessment method.
This document applies to vehicles operating on tram networks.
This document does not apply to driver's auxiliary desks.
This standard is not intended to be applied for tram train.