Greetings,

Since privatization, has an AAR-esque organization been formed in the UK to set standards? If not, who governs this?

God Bless,
Gerald W. Kopiasz

hrrhs@aol.com

I don't even pretend to really understand it all (it's an open question whether anyone does, including in the UK). One key difference to remember is that all the infrastructure is still in the hands of one company, not many--there is not really any such thing as "interchange" in the sense we use it; it's a completely different model of ownership and access.

That said, here goes:

1. Network Rail, the successor to the failed Railtrack, owns all the right of way and infrastructure and inspects and approves the equipment Train Operating Companies propose to use on its tracks

2. Train Operating Companies have their own trade association, the AOTA.

2. Overseeing Network Rail and all the Train Operating Companies is the Office of the Rail Regulator in the Department of Transport (which is itself a new cabinet department)

3. A Rail Safety and Standards Board is being set up to enhance central creation and monitring of saftey standards in the wake of several high-profile accidents. It will be an industry collective with quasi-governmental powers.

Confused yet? I am.

eledbetter@rypn.org

Yes, I'm definately confused. Perhaps I should have came out and directly asked the following question:

What/who governs the policy regarding locomotives (i.e., importation, operation, mechanical standards, etc.)? Gauging from the previous answer, I'd suspect this isn't an easy one to answer, either.

God Bless,
Gerald W. Kopiasz

> I don't even pretend to really understand it
> all (it's an open question whether anyone
> does, including in the UK). One key
> difference to remember is that all the
> infrastructure is still in the hands of one
> company, not many--there is not really any
> such thing as "interchange" in the
> sense we use it; it's a completely different
> model of ownership and access.

> That said, here goes:

> 1. Network Rail, the successor to the failed
> Railtrack, owns all the right of way and
> infrastructure and inspects and approves the
> equipment Train Operating Companies propose
> to use on its tracks

> 2. Train Operating Companies have their own
> trade association, the AOTA.

> 2. Overseeing Network Rail and all the Train
> Operating Companies is the Office of the
> Rail Regulator in the Department of
> Transport (which is itself a new cabinet
> department)

> 3. A Rail Safety and Standards Board is
> being set up to enhance central creation and
> monitring of saftey standards in the wake of
> several high-profile accidents. It will be
> an industry collective with
> quasi-governmental powers.

> Confused yet? I am.


hrrhs@aol.com

My guess is that minimum safety standards (like crushing pressure resistance, etc) are or soon will be governed by the new industrywide safety board, while basic engineering standards (clearance template or "loading gauge" as the brits call it, track gauge, wheel profiles, mimumum operating reliability) would be set by Network Rail.

I don't think anyone governs import requirements per se--you can have something built anywhere you like and bring it the UK to run if Network Rail will accept it on their track.

That's the best I understand it, which isn't very well. My advice--start with Network Rail and work outward form there.

eledbetter@rypn.org

Thanks for the information. I suspect throwing in the movement for policy standardization by the EU throws more confusion in the mix.

God Bless,
Gerald W. Kopiasz

> My guess is that minimum safety standards
> (like crushing pressure resistance, etc) are
> or soon will be governed by the new
> industrywide safety board, while basic
> engineering standards (clearance template or
> "loading gauge" as the brits call
> it, track gauge, wheel profiles, mimumum
> operating reliability) would be set by
> Network Rail.

> I don't think anyone governs import
> requirements per se--you can have something
> built anywhere you like and bring it the UK
> to run if Network Rail will accept it on
> their track.

> That's the best I understand it, which isn't
> very well. My advice--start with Network
> Rail and work outward form there.


hrrhs@aol.com