NR NR/SIN/139 ISSUE 1 PDF

This Special Inspection Notice applies to all curves of ≤250m radius.

Inspections shall be carried to confirm the presence of check rails and whether working lubrication is present around the curve. These measures minimise the risk of flange climb derailment.

This SIN requires a register of these curves to be reviewed and updated. The list should record the line reference, mileage and extent of the curve, track construction materials. The presence of lubricators, their operational condition and service frequency are to be confirmed and recorded.

Work specifications and implementation plans shall be drawn up to cover the requirements of this SIN as detailed in section 6 and included in the curve register identified above.

If the TME already holds a curve register, the contents shall be confirmed as holding, as a minimum, the requirements of this SIN. Only one register need be held.

NOTE 1 Source data may be obtained from the Network Rail Portal / Engineering/Curvature but users should confirm that all routes are included for their area and update if required.

NOTE 2 This data will be used as the initial specification for the Asset Information System Curve Register

Purpose

The Railway Accident Investigation Branch investigation into the derailment at Ordsall Lane on 23^rd January 2013 identified that provision of a check rail would have considerably reduced the risk of derailment at this small radius site.

Recommendation 1 states:

Network Rail should identify all curves that are non-compliant with Railway Group Standard GC/RT5021 and Network Rail Standard NR/L2/TRK/2102 in respect of the need to fit a check rail. For each identified curve, Network Rail should implement measures to adequately mitigate the risk of derailment. These may include one or both of the following:

a) installing a check rail on the curve;

b) managing rail lubrication on the curve to a suitable level of availability.

The purpose of this SIN is to:

a) identify all small radius curves (≤200m)and confirm whether or not check rails are fitted;

b) confirm the nature of any risk controls which are in place where no check rails exist;

c) review the risk controls at all sites to confirm whether they are adequate or need to be upgraded;

d) inform the development of a co-ordinated approach to compliance and risk reduction for each site in accordance with ALARP principals;

e) identify curves with radii in the range of 201m to 250m to enable risk assessment and mitigation plans to be proposed based on track construction type, usage and business case development