Requirements for the Weekly Operating Notice, Periodical Operating Notice and Synopsis This document mandates requirements for the production of information related to engineering work, alterations to track and signalling arrangements, local operating instructions and localised amendments to National Operations Publications. Copyright in the s is owned by Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited. All rights are hereby reserved. No (in whole or in part) may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or means, without the prior written permission of Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited, or as expressly permitted by law. Members are granted copyright licence in accordance with the Constitution Agreement relating to Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited. In circumstances where Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited has granted a particular person or organisation permission to copy extracts from Railway Group Standards, Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited accepts no responsibility for, and excludes all liability in connection with, the use of such extracts, or any claims arising therefrom. This disclaimer applies to all forms of media in which extracts from s may be reproduced. Published by: Copyright 2015 Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited
record Date Comments One December 2007 Original document Two June 2010 Supersedes issue one, small scale change. Minor amendment to section 3.1.3.1(publication timescales for PON now quarterly, instead of bymonthly) and also to incorporate amendment form AM001 (minor change to Appendix clauses A.5.2.8; A.5.2.11 and C.1.1.14). June 2015 Supersedes issue two. Includes changes brought about by the introduction of ERTMS and incorporates in an updated form an item previously published as an amendment / clarification to Appendix C.1.1.10. Amended or additional parts of revised pages have been marked by a vertical black line in the adjacent margin. Superseded documents The following is superseded, either in whole or in part as indicated: Superseded documents Sections superseded Date when sections are superseded issue two Requirements for the Weekly Operating Notice, Periodical Operating Notice and All 05 September 2015 Supply issue two Notice, Periodical Operating Notice and, ceases to be in force and is withdrawn as of 05 September 2015. The authoritative version of this document is available at www.rgsonline.co.uk. Enquiries on this document can be forwarded to enquirydesk@rssb.co.uk. Page 2 of 21
Contents Section Description Page Part 1 Purpose and Introduction 4 1.1 Purpose 4 1.2 Introduction 4 1.3 Approval and authorisation of this document 4 Part 2 Notice 5 2.1 Infrastructure manager responsibilities 5 2.2 Railway undertaking responsibilities 6 Part 3 Requirements for the Periodical Operating Notice 7 3.1 Infrastructure manager responsibilities 7 3.2 Railway undertaking responsibilities 8 Part 4 Requirements for Local Operating Instructions 9 4.1 Infrastructure manager responsibilities 9 4.2 Railway undertaking responsibilities 10 Part 5 Application of this document 11 5.1 Application infrastructure managers 11 5.2 Application railway undertakings 11 5.3 Health and safety responsibilities 12 Appendices Appendix A Weekly Operating Notice 13 Appendix B Periodical Operating Notice 17 Appendix C 18 Definitions 20 References 21 Page 3 of 21
Part 1 Purpose and Introduction 1.1 Purpose 1.1.1 This document mandates requirements for the production of information related to engineering work, alterations to track and signalling arrangements, local operating instructions and localised amendments to National Operations Publications. 1.2 Introduction 1.2.1 Background 1.2.2 Principles 1.2.1.1 In order to operate safely, railway undertakings require regular, detailed information from the infrastructure manager concerning: a) The energising of Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) or conductor rail electrification equipment. b) Engineering work and any consequent alterations to operational arrangements. c) Planned temporary speed restrictions. d) Temporary or permanent alterations to track and signalling arrangements. e) The operational arrangements relating to routes and specific locations. f) Local instructions that are required by a National Operations Publication or another. g) The swept envelope and the weight restrictions applied to routes. h) Changes to gradients on a route. 1.2.1.2 The requirements of this document reflect the requirements of the Operations Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) for the information specified to produce the Route Book and the Modified Elements 1.2.2.1 The requirements of this document are based on the principle that Network Rail as infrastructure manager of the Great Britain (GB) railway network, provides information on engineering work, details of the signalling, electrification and control arrangements for routes, local operations instructions and details of swept envelopes and weight restrictions to railway undertakings. 1.2.2.2 Railway undertakings may decide to issue the information to their staff and contractors as separate documents or incorporate them into their own company documentation. In either case the documents must be clearly identified by the titles specified. Where any discrepancy or error is identified between the document issued by a railway undertaking and the original produced by an infrastructure manager, the original is to be considered correct. 1.3 Approval and authorisation of this document 1.3.1 The content of this document was approved by Traffic Operation and Management Standards Committee on 03 March 2015. 1.3.2 This document was authorised by on 01 May 2015. Page 4 of 21
Part 2 Notice 2.1 Infrastructure manager responsibilities 2.1.1 Information to be produced 2.1.1.1 The infrastructure manager is responsible for making the following information available to railway undertakings regarding: 2.1.2 Document title a) The energising of OLE or conductor rail electrification equipment (to be shown in the first pages of the notice). b) Temporary speed restrictions (to be contained in Section A see Appendix A1). c) Engineering work (to be contained in Section B see Appendix A2). d) Signalling and permanent way alterations (to be contained in Section C see Appendix A3). e) Amendments to National Operations Publications or Sectional Appendices (to be contained in Section D see Appendix A4). 2.1.2.1 This information shall be known as the Weekly Operating Notice irrespective of the format that it is published in. 2.1.3 Format to be used 2.1.3.1 The infrastructure manager shall issue the Weekly Operating Notice in a consistent format and make details of the format, terminology and symbols used available to railway undertakings. 2.1.4 Publication timescales 2.1.4.1 The infrastructure manager shall prepare the Weekly Operating Notice according to the time and date that the work will be carried out. 2.1.4.2 The Weekly Operating Notice shall cover one week from 00:01 Saturday to 23:59 Friday. However, when a Bank Holiday or other Public Holiday falls during this period, the Weekly Operating Notice may be extended to two weeks provided that at least six months notice is given to railway undertakings. 2.1.5 Publication details 2.1.5.1 The infrastructure manager shall arrange that when the Weekly Operating Notice is issued to their staff, irrespective of the format that it is issued in, it shall: a) Be identified as the Weekly Operating Notice. b) Indicate on the cover the total number of pages that the notice contains and the period that it is valid for. c) State on blank pages This page is intentionally blank. Page 5 of 21
2.2 Railway undertaking responsibilities 2.2.1 Publication details 2.2.1.1 Railway undertakings shall arrange that when the Weekly Operating Notice is issued to their staff, irrespective of the format that it is issued in, it shall: a) Be identified as the Weekly Operating Notice. b) Indicate on the cover the total number of pages that the notice contains and the period that it is valid for. c) State on blank pages This page is intentionally blank. Page 6 of 21
Part 3 Requirements for the Periodical Operating Notice 3.1 Infrastructure manager responsibilities 3.1.1 Information to be produced 3.1.1.1 The infrastructure manager is responsible for making information regarding changes to the documents listed in Appendix B available to railway undertakings. This information shall be known as the Periodical Operating Notice irrespective of the format that it is published in. 3.1.2 Format to be used 3.1.2.1 Energising of OLE or conductor rail electrification equipment The time, date and extent of energising OLE or conductor rail electrification equipment shall be shown at the beginning of the notice. 3.1.2.2 Part I Items published for the first time This part shall contain items that are published for the first time in the Periodical Operating Notice. Items in this part which have not previously appeared in the Weekly Operating Notice shall be clearly identified. 3.1.2.3 Part II Items previously published This part shall contain items transferred from Part I. Items shall remain in the Periodical Operating Notice until: a) The parent publication is re-issued incorporating the item. Or b) They are superseded. Or c) They are withdrawn as no longer needed. Or d) They are incorporated in a supplement to the parent publication. 3.1.2.4 When any item is to be withdrawn, this shall be clearly indicated in the text adjacent to the item. 3.1.2.5 The infrastructure manager shall issue the Periodical Operating Notice in a consistent format and make details of the format, terminology and symbols used available to railway undertakings. 3.1.3 Publication timescales 3.1.3.1 The Periodical Operating Notice shall be valid from 00:01 on the first Saturday of March, June, September and December (or as required in exceptional circumstances), until it is superseded by the next edition. Page 7 of 21
3.1.4 Publication details 3.1.4.1 The infrastructure manager shall arrange that when the Periodical Operating Notice is issued to its staff, irrespective of the format that it is issued in, it shall: a) Be identified as the Periodical Operating Notice. b) Indicate on the cover the total number of pages that the notice contains and the period that it is valid for. c) State on blank pages This page is intentionally blank. 3.2 Railway undertaking responsibilities 3.2.1 Publication details 3.2.1.1 Railway undertakings shall arrange that when the Periodical Operating Notice is issued to their staff, irrespective of the format that it is issued in, it shall: a) Be identified as the Periodical Operating Notice. b) Indicate on the cover the total number of pages that the notice contains and the period that it is valid for. c) State on blank pages This page is intentionally blank. Page 8 of 21
Part 4 Requirements for Local Operating Instructions 4.1 Infrastructure manager responsibilities 4.1.1 Information to be produced 4.1.1.1 The infrastructure manager shall make the following operations instructions available to railway undertakings: a) A document known as the ; the contents of the Sectional Appendix are detailed in Appendix C b) Local variations to the instructions contained in National Operations Publications where: i) A National Operations Publication calls for a local instruction to be issued. Or ii) Equipment is in use which is not covered in any National Operations Publication. Or iii) Local circumstances mean that an instruction(s) contained in a National Operations Publication(s) cannot be applied, either partially or fully. Or iv) Special working is to take place. 4.1.1.2 Local variations to the requirements of National Operations Publications shall be kept to a minimum. 4.1.2 Format of Local Operating Instructions 4.1.2.1 The infrastructure manager shall issue local variations to the requirements of a National Operations Publication in the style of the National Operations Publication that they amend. The infrastructure manager shall issue the Local Operations Instructions in a consistent format and make details of the format, terminology and symbols used available to railway undertakings. 4.1.3 Consultation over contents 4.1.3.1 The infrastructure manager shall consult with, and obtain the agreement of, any railway undertaking(s) concerning the content and method of publication of any local operating instructions which that railway undertaking s staff will have to apply. 4.1.3.2 GE/RT8270 issue two requires that, following the issue of a Statement of Compatibility, all documentation needed to define any limitations, restriction or requirements on which the compatibility depends shall be updated. Where such limitations, restrictions or requirements necessitate a change to Local Operating Instructions, the proposer (as defined in GE/RT8270) shall be asked to validate the text to be incorporated in the Local Operating Instructions. Page 9 of 21
4.1.4 Publication details 4.1.4.1 The infrastructure manager shall ensure that when the is issued to its staff, irrespective of the format that it is issued in, it shall: a) Be identified as the. b) State on blank pages This page is intentionally blank. 4.2 Railway undertaking responsibilities 4.2.1 Railway undertaking requirements for variations 4.2.1.1 If a railway undertaking identifies the need for a variation to a National Operations Publication to apply anywhere on Network Rail managed infrastructure it shall advise the infrastructure manager of the requirement. The infrastructure manager shall apply the process in this document to the application. 4.2.1.2 GE/RT8270 issue two requires that, following the issue of a Statement of Compatibility, all documentation needed to define any limitations, restriction or requirements on which the compatibility depends shall be updated. Where such limitations, restrictions or requirements necessitate a change to Local Operating Instructions, the proposer (as defined in GE/RT8270) shall validate the text to be incorporated in the Local Operating Instructions. 4.2.2 Publication details 4.2.2.1 Railway undertakings shall ensure that when the is issued to their staff, irrespective of the format that it is issued in, it shall: a) Be identified as the. b) State on blank pages This page is intentionally blank. Page 10 of 21
Part 5 Application of this document 5.1 Application infrastructure managers 5.1.1 Scope 5.1.1.1 The requirements of this document relate to the production of defined information related to engineering work, alterations to track and signalling arrangements, local operating instructions and localised amendments to National Operations Publications. 5.1.2 Exclusions from scope 5.1.2.1 There are no exclusions from the scope specified in 5.1.1 for infrastructure managers. 5.1.3 General compliance date for infrastructure managers 5.1.3.1 This comes into force and is to be complied with from 05 September 2015. 5.1.3.2 After the compliance date, or the date by which compliance is achieved, if earlier, compliance with the requirements set out in this is to be maintained. Where it is considered not reasonably practicable to comply with the requirements, authorisation not to comply should be sought in accordance with the s Code. 5.1.4 Exceptions to general compliance date 5.1.4.1 There are no exceptions to the general compliance date specified in 5.1.3 for infrastructure managers. 5.2 Application railway undertakings 5.2.1 Scope 5.2.1.1 The requirements of this document relate to the production of information related to engineering work, alterations to track and signalling arrangements, local operating instructions and localised amendments to National Operations Publications. 5.2.2 Exclusions from scope 5.2.2.1 There are no exclusions from the scope specified in 5.2.1 for railway undertakings. 5.2.3 General compliance date for railway undertakings 5.2.3.1 This comes into force and is to be complied with from 05 September 2015. 5.2.3.2 After the compliance date, or the date by which compliance is achieved, if earlier, compliance with the requirements set out in this is to be maintained. Where it is considered not reasonably practicable to comply with the requirements, authorisation not to comply should be sought in accordance with the s Code. 5.2.4 Exceptions to general compliance date 5.2.4.1 There are no exceptions to the general compliance date specified in 5.2.3 for railway undertakings. Page 11 of 21
5.3 Health and safety responsibilities 5.3.1 Users of documents published by are reminded of the need to consider their own responsibilities to ensure health and safety at work and their own duties under health and safety legislation. does not warrant that compliance with all or any documents published by is sufficient in itself to ensure safe systems of work or operation or to satisfy such responsibilities or duties. Page 12 of 21
Appendix A Weekly Operating Notice The content of this appendix is mandatory. A.1 Energising of OLE or conductor rail electrification equipment The time, date and extent of energising of OLE or conductor rail electrification equipment shall be shown at the beginning of the notice. A.2 Content of Section A Temporary speed restrictions A.2.1 Items shall be presented in line and location order under line of route headings. These headings, the geographical locations and signal box names referred to, shall be the same as those used in Table A of the. A.2.2 A.2.3 A.2.4 A.2.5 Each item shall be allocated a number in a consecutive series. This number shall be unique and shall remain with the same item, even if this means the compiled version does not have consecutive item numbers. All lines affected at a junction shall, wherever possible, be included under the appropriate line headings. Where, at the approach to a diverging junction, a temporary speed restriction warning board is not on the same line as the actual restriction, an entry shall also be included under the heading appropriate to the line on which the warning board is positioned. Explanatory notes concerning warning boards and indicators for temporary speed restrictions shall be in the format shown in GK/RT0075 Part 3 and Appendix D. A.3 Content of Section B Engineering work A.3.1 Items shall be presented in line and line of route order under line of route headings. These headings, the geographical locations and signal box names referred to, shall be the same as those used in Table A of the Sectional Appendix. A.3.2 A.3.3 A.3.4 Each item shall be allocated a number in a consecutive series. This number shall be unique and shall remain with the same item, even if this means the compiled version does not have consecutive item numbers. All lines affected at a junction shall, wherever possible, be included under the appropriate line headings. This means that the same item may appear under more than one route heading but shall have the same unique number. Where Single Line Working, Temporary Block Working or diversion from line to line is involved, the following information shall be provided: a) The locations and times between which such working applies. b) The actual location of the work (related to mileages or kilometre distances and / or signals / points, as appropriate). c) Description of work. d) Details of any electrical isolations (where applicable). e) If the arrangements are to be altered during the progress of the work, this shall be specified (it may be desirable to have separate items for each phase of work). Page 13 of 21
A.4 Content of Section C Signalling and permanent way alterations A.4.1 Items shall be in line and date order under line of route headings, for the first week of publication and in line order under the heading Details of work already carried out for three subsequent weeks. A.4.2 A.4.3 A.4.4 A.4.5 A.4.6 A.4.7 These headings together with all geographical locations and signal box names referred to, shall conform to the order and presentation used in Table A of the. All lines affected at a junction shall, wherever possible, be included under the appropriate line headings. Items shall be published for a maximum period of four weeks. The sign * * * shall be included at the beginning of the item at the fourth week of publication, unless overtaken by subsequent works. If however any item is applicable for less than four weeks in total, then it shall be published only for the number of weeks it remains current. Where necessary, in order to improve clarity, diagrams may be included within the Weekly Operating Notice (suitable reference should be made in the text to the location of the diagram, where necessary). Where a separate Notice is issued, the entry shall make reference to it. Figures shall be shown at the end of the item to indicate the week number of the Weekly Operating Notice in which the item is to be last published. Details of changes to Permissible Speeds shall be shown. A.5 Definitions of types of work to be included in Section C Signalling and permanent way alterations A.5.1 Signalling equipment A.5.1.1 Provision or abolition of signal boxes. A.5.1.2 A.5.1.3 A.5.1.4 A.5.1.5 Provision or abolition of ground frames. Altered method of working (for example, Absolute Block to Track Circuit Block or ERTMS Block). Provision or removal of permanent Automatic Warning System or Train Protection and Warning System associated with signals. Provision of new signals, or removal of existing signals*, including: a) Limit of shunt indicators. b) Stop boards or indicators. c) Single Line Section Boards etc. d) Points indicators. e) Indicators controlling loading or unloading movements. * Where new signals are provided or existing signals removed, the location shall be identified by showing the mileage or kilometre distance of the location, as appropriate. Page 14 of 21
A.5.1.6 Alterations to existing signals where: a) Meaning of signal is changed. b) Height is raised or lowered by one metre (three feet) or more. c) Signal is repositioned in any direction by more than three metres (10 feet). d) Configuration of the signal is altered. e) Structure is altered, for example, bracket in place of a straight post. f) Semaphore is replaced by colour light (including shunting signals). g) Distant signal arm is replaced by reflectorised board. A.5.1.7 Changes to level crossings, for example: a) Abolition of any manned or automated level crossings included in the. b) Provision of new or temporary level crossings (all types). c) Changes of operation at manned and automated level crossings, including reduction in status, for example from manned to user-worked crossings. d) Temporary special use of level crossings. A.5.2 Permanent way, lineside signs, telephones A.5.2.1 Provision of new lines or sidings.* A.5.2.2 A.5.2.3 A.5.2.4 A.5.2.5 A.5.2.6 A.5.2.7 A.5.2.8 A.5.2.9 Abolition of lines or sidings. Installation, bringing into use, securing out of use, points and crossings, including catch points. Realignment of permanent way, that requires changes to driving technique or alteration to personal safety arrangements for staff on or near the line. Alterations to lengths of loops or significant alterations to lengths of sidings.* Singling of lines. Upgrading or downgrading lines/loops. Introduction of, or changes to, permissible speeds. Introduction of, or changes to, warning indicators for permissible speeds and associated Automatic Warning System. A.5.2.10 Provision or removal of whistle boards. A.5.2.11 Gapping of conductor rails or provision or alterations to neutral sections. A.5.2.12 Provision or repositioning of traincrew telephones. A.5.2.13 Provision of, alteration to, or removal of train stop markers. * The length to be shown in metres and yards. Page 15 of 21
A.5.3 Stations A.5.3.1 Introduction of new stations. A.5.3.2 A.5.3.3 A.5.3.4 Closure of existing stations. Shortening or lengthening of platforms, specifying the extent of alteration and the new length, in metres and yards. Provision of, alteration to, or removal of: a) Train stop markers. b) R, RA and CD indicators, or off indicators. c) Rear clear markers. A.5.3.5 Provision of, removal of or significant alterations to traincrew viewing aids (CCTV or mirrors). A.6 Content of Section D Amendments to Operating Publications A.6.1 Only amendments issued by to the following documents shall be published here, and the format shall be unaltered: a) GE/RT8000 Rule Book. b) GO/RT3053 Working Manual for Rail Staff Handling and Carriage of Dangerous Goods. c) GO/RT3056 Working Manual for Rail Staff Freight Train Operations. A.6.2 A.6.3 NIL to be included under heading, if appropriate. Miscellaneous instructions and notices. Page 16 of 21
Appendix B Periodical Operating Notice The content of this appendix is mandatory. B.1 Content of Section D Amendments to Operating Publications B.1.1 Only amendments issued by to the following documents shall be published here, and the format shall be unaltered: a) GE/RT8000 Rule Book. b) GO/RT3053 Working Manual for Rail Staff Handling and Carriage of Dangerous Goods. c) GO/RT3056 Working Manual for Rail Staff Freight Train Operations. B.1.2 B.1.3 NIL to be included under heading, if appropriate. Miscellaneous instructions and notices. Page 17 of 21
Appendix C The content of this appendix is mandatory. C.1 Content of the C.1.1 Diagrammatic details of running lines (known as Table A diagrams) including: C.1.1.1 The name of each line illustrated, for example: down main, up relief, up passenger loop. C.1.1.2 C.1.1.3 C.1.1.4 C.1.1.5 C.1.1.6 C.1.1.7 C.1.1.8 C.1.1.9 C.1.1.10 C.1.1.11 C.1.1.12 C.1.1.13 C.1.1.14 C.1.1.15 C.1.1.16 C.1.1.17 C.1.1.18 Type of line, for example passenger line, non-passenger line, siding. The permissible speeds (mph or km/h) for each line, with the point of speed change shown. The normal direction of travel. Whether the line is bi-directionally signalled, or reversibly signalled (in this case the usual direction of travel must be clearly and differently shown). Controlling signal box (including the identification letters). The type of signalling in use, for example absolute block, track circuit block, radio electric token block (RETB), or ERTMS with or without lineside signals. Electrical control room details (if applicable). Radio system, and, transition points between radio systems. On an ERTMS line, the identity, contact number and area of control of each Radio Block Centre (RBC) Details of rising and falling gradients, shown as 1 in or per thousand as appropriate with the points of gradient change shown. Stations. Signal boxes. Level crossings, with the type of crossing indicated. Where the crossing is automatic and has wrong directional controls the approach speed shall be prefixed by an X. Junctions. Ground frames, shunt frames and ground switch panels. Token exchange points on radio electric token block (RETB) lines. Tunnels: a) Name b) Length (shown in metres and yards). c) Whether walkways are provided. d) Points of safe egress (where provided). e) Points for emergency evacuation of passengers (where provided). Page 18 of 21
C.1.1.19 C.1.1.20 C.1.1.21 C.1.1.22 Length of loops and refuge sidings (shown in metres and yards). Distances shown in miles and chains or kilometres and metres. Locations where permissive working is allowed, the type of permissive working and the class of train it applies to. Crossovers between lines and connections to other lines. C.1.2 Route clearance tables C.1.2.1 Multiple unit trains. C.1.2.2 C.1.2.3 C.1.2.4 Locomotives (including details of routes where five or more locomotives may be coupled together). Locomotive-hauled passenger or parcels trains. Freight vehicles. C.1.3 C.1.4 C.1.5 C.1.6 General instructions Local instructions Special working arrangements Sites of exceptionally poor wheel / rail adhesion Page 19 of 21
Definitions National Operations Publications (NOPs) National Operations Publications define detailed mandatory national instructions for direct application by staff employed by infrastructure managers or railway undertakings. The NOPs are: a) Rule Book GE/RT8000 module series. b) GO/RT3053 Working Manual for Rail Staff Handling and Carriage of Dangerous Goods. c) GO/RT3056 Working Manual for Rail Staff Freight Operations Manual. Infrastructure managers and railway undertakings may agree to apply NOPs to operations at stations, sidings, yards, in engineering possessions or at other locations not part of the mainline railway. Signals Where reference is made to signals, this also includes ERTMS ends of authority (EoA) whether or not they are marked with an ERTMS block marker. Page 20 of 21
References The Catalogue of s gives the current issue number and status of documents published by. This information is also available from www.rgsonline.co.uk. Documents referenced in the text RGSC 01 RGSC 02 s GE/RT8000 GE/RT8001 GE/RT8270 GK/RT0075 GO/RT3053 GO/RT3056 s Code Standards Manual Rule Book Changes to National Operations Publications Assessment of Compatibility of Rolling Stock and Infrastructure Lineside Signal Spacing and Speed Signage Working Manual for Rail Staff Handling and Carriage of Dangerous Goods Working Manual for Rail Staff Freight Train Operations Page 21 of 21