Research short
Our revisions to the W10 and W12 freight gauges mean an extra 200+ container/wagon combinations can run on existing routes.
In the 22 years since the W10 and W12 gauges were introduced, the rail network has seen many changes. In particular, with the advent of new rolling stock types, the specific wagon/container combinations that the gauges were designed around have become outdated.
So, the time was right for us to revisit W10 and W12. These gauges are for moving a range of freight containers and swap bodies used internationally. The hope was that refining these gauging definitions would allow more container combinations to be carried on existing wagons without the costly analyses that are currently needed.
Gauging limitations are nothing new for GB rail. With many of our running lines and infrastructure dating back to the Victorian era, industry often comes up against obstacles like this on the journey to growth and innovation.
But with the goal to increase rail freight by 75% by 2050, it was time to unlock more of the network for freight.
For this research project, our research team had two objectives:
to allow a larger range of containers and swap bodies to be carried on existing wagons using W10 and W12 routes
to determine if refining the two gauges could mean more routes being considered acceptable for these profiles to run on.
The team found that making some minor revisions could lead to real benefits for the freight industry. With more routes cleared for more container/freight wagon combinations, operators could significantly increase their movement around the network.
In turn, this could help connect more ports, terminals, and cities. Providing more links between these key areas will be key in encouraging modal shift from road to rail and, by extension, reducing harmful emissions.
This research, and the revised gauging definitions it led to, will allow freight operators to run more container/wagon combinations and provide greater network access. In particular:
For the new W10 gauge, another 64 combinations can run.
For the new W12 gauge, another 151 combinations can run.
These revised gauges will allow many additional movements. And this will be key for the freight industry. Importantly, they’ll contribute to the 75% freight growth target to be met by 2050 by helping attract businesses around GB to move their goods by rail rather than road. This will also aid industry’s sustainability goals by reducing congestion and damaging emissions.
We’ll be publishing these revised gauges in an update to GERT8073 ‘Requirements for Standard Rail Gauges’ next March.
To read this research in full, head to our Research Catalogue.
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Watch our Rail Leader Update on the freight research we’ve been doing and how operators are benefitting from it.
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Learn more about gauging on our website, including the guidance we have for different vehicle types.
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