Work completed in 2024–25
A successful seminar engages the industry in V/S SIC’s work
Research unlocks new wagon/container combinations
The well-attended event covered the latest developments across the vehicle/structures landscape.
In October 2024, V/S SIC held its first event in 9 years: a seminar in Birmingham. It was a great opportunity to showcase developments and outputs the committee initiated and steered, and in turn to hear feedback and ideas. The seminar attracted 49 participants representing 36 different organisations across rail.
Topics included:
recent research into the W10 and W12 freight gauges and how revising them improves freight access to the network
platform-train interface issues
the latest changes to route availability standards, guidance, and calculation methods
the latest changes to standards related to gauging and the vehicle-structure interface.
Missed the event? You can still catch up with the presentations.
The next seminar is planned for 2026. We encourage you to take the opportunity to showcase your work relevant to vehicle/structures interaction. Contact Roisin Mulvany, Lead Industry Group Manager, for more information:
Roisin.Mulvany@rssb.co.uk
I recently attended the RSSB V/S SIC seminar and to say that this event was very informative would be an understatement! [It] demonstrated [that] as a collective we can drive improvements and make positive changes that will improve performance and safety on our railways.
RSSB research has a really good understanding of how the multiple parts of the railway fit together as a system. They are effective at using this to consider how to make the railway better [and they] know how to encourage the cross-industry co-operation that's vital to translate ideas into real world improvements.
Freight gauges W10 and W12 have been modified to increase freight access to the network.
Freight carried on the GB mainline uses many different container sizes. The gauge definitions in rail standard GERT8073 allow particular wagon/container combinations to fit within different gauges and routes to be declared suitable for these gauges. Intelligent refinements to gauge definitions can increase the number of permitted wagon/container combinations and expand the routes on which they can run.
V/S SIC initiated and steered RSSB research into two freight gauges: W10 and W12.
Using the latest gauging analysis tools, the work identified that significantly more wagon/container combinations could be accommodated in these gauges. Essentially, this means that existing wagons can carry an increased range of containers and swap bodies.
For the revised W10 gauge, there are more than 60 new combinations. And for the revised W12 gauge profile, around 150 new combinations are permissible. Without incurring any significant costs, freight operating companies are already preparing to run new combinations in 2025.
The work also identified that 351 lines could be cleared for the revised W10 gauge. These lines span roughly 1,234 miles. And 325 lines could be cleared for the revised W12 gauge, spanning roughly 841 miles.
Many of these routes are small and remote from existing routes permitted for W10 and W12 freight traffic. However, some sections adjoining existing permitted routes have been identified. Pending review by Network Rail and meeting other compatibility requirements, these sections could serve as alternative routes if diversions are needed.
The findings make it easier to transport freight on the GB rail network, supporting the Department for Transport’s target of 75% growth in rail freight by 2050. Modal shift from road to rail will help reduce carbon emissions and congestions.
The findings of this work will be used to inform changes to the standard GERT8073 Application of Standard Vehicle Gauges.
V/S SIC is now supporting further research to look at freight gauges W7, W7a, W8, W8a, W9, and W9a to assess their potential for greater route clearance and more container sizes.
Read the research findings in the RSSB Research Catalogue (T1327).
Get in touch to discuss the changes this research unlocks and how to make the most of them for your organisation. We are also seeking steering group members for the next project, ‘Improving freight gauges (W7, W7a, W8, W8a, W9, and W9a)’ (T1381).
Contact Paul Gray, Professional Lead, Engineering, RSSB:
Paul.Gray@rssb.co.uk
