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Approved Codes of Practice and Guidance Notes

Approved Codes of Practice and Guidance Notes

The Rail Delivery Group issue Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs), Guidance Notes (GNs) and Good Practice Guides (GPGs) on behalf of the industry.
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# Engineering

Future versions of the Key Train Requirements will be managed and hosted by RSSB. When the next version of this document is published it will be hosted on the following RSSB webpage: https://www.rssb.co.uk/standards/where-do-we-use-standards/rolling-stock/key-train-requirements

20 Point Plan

Document Date Title Download
20 Point Plan    July 2025    Fleet Management Good Practice Guide - Main Document | Issue 16.1    Download
20 Point Plan    January 2021    Fleet Management Good Practice Concise Version    Download

GUIDANCE NOTES

Document Date Title Download
EG/GN001 November 2014
Contract Variation Approval Process | Withdrawn
 
EG/GN002 September 2014 The ATOC Guide to Vehicle Change | Issue 3.3 Download
EG/GN003 May 2015 Management of Rolling Stock Maintenance Records | Issue 1.1 Download
EG/GN005 April 2018 On Train GPS/Darwin Interface specification | Issue 2 Download
RDG-ENG-GN-007 April 2019 Selection & Assurance of Fasteners for Legacy Fleets | Issue 1 Download
RDG-ENG-GN-008 October 2024 New Trains - A Good Practice Guide | Issue 3.3 Download
RDG-ENG-GN-009 March 2025

Depot Performance Handbook – A Good Practice Guide | Issue 2.1

Download

APPROVED CODES OF PRACTICE

Document Date Title Download
EC/01006 August 2015 Management of Rail Vehicle Engineering Change | Issue 3.5 Download

# Operations

APPROVED CODES OF PRACTICE

Document Date Title Download
RDG-OPS-ACOP-001 June 2021 Joint Industry Provision of Humanitarian Response Following a Major Passenger Rail Incident | Issue 17 Download
RDG-OPS-ACOP-007 August 2021 Industry Traincrew Framework (by request only) | Issue 1 This document has been withdrawn. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for access.  
RDG-OPS-ACOP-008 March 2025

Rail Emergency Management - Governance | Issue 2

Download
RDG-OPS-ACOP-009 March 2025

Rail Emergency Management - Anticipation, Assessment & Prevention | Issue 2

Download
RDG-OPS-ACOP-010 June 2024 Rail Emergency Management - Preparation | Issue 1.2 Download
RDG-OPS-ACOP-011 June 2024 Rail Emergency Management- Response | Issue 1.1 Download
RDG-OPS-ACOP-012 June 2024 Rail Emergency Management - Recovery | Issue 1.1 Download
ACOP012 October 2016 Driver Manpower Monitoring (by request only) | Issue 5  
ACOP014 October 2016 Provision of Passenger Information | Issue 2 Download
ACOP016 April 2017 Incident Response Duties of Primary Support Operators | Issue 4 Download
ACOPSR2013 November 2013 Contingency Planning for Train Service Recovery - Service Recovery 2013 | Issue 1 Download

GUIDANCE NOTES

Document Date Title Download
FLU/GN001 October 2019 Contingency Planning Arrangements for a Flu Pandemic |Issue 4 Download
RDG-OPS-GN-001 September 2020 Use of Data Recorders |Issue 5 Download
RDG-OPS-GN-003 September 2021 The Training of On-Train Staff in On-Train Emergency Procedures |Issue 9 Download
RDG-OPS-GN-004 July 2021 Reducing Diesel Emissions in Depots and Stations |Issue 1This document has been withdrawn. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. access.  
RDG-OPS-GN-006 Withdrawn
Safe Use of Station Vehicles |Issue 2This document has been withdrawn. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. access.
 
RDG-OPS-GN-009 September 2021 Investigation of Station Stopping Incidents |Issue 6This document has been withdrawn. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. access.  
RDG-OPS-GN-010 Withdrawn Managing the Risk to Passengers and Staff from the Use of Contracted Road Services |This document has been withdrawn. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. access.  
RDG-GN011 November 2017 Emergency Planning - Knowledge, Understanding and Responsibilities |Issue 3 Download
RDG-GN012 January 2018 Planning for and Responding to National Fuel Shortages |Issue 2 Download
RDG-OPS-GN-013 Withdrawn
Control of Risk Posed by the Presence of Legionella Bacteria in On-train Non-Potable Water Systems | This document has been withdrawn. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for access.
 
GN014 October 2017 Major Incidents - Preparation of Aide-Mémoires for Senior Managers |Issue 3 Download
RDG-GN015 June 2023 Extreme Weather Arrangements including Failure or Non-Availability of On-Train Environment Control Systems |Issue 4 Download
RDG-OPS-GN-016 February 2021 Competence of Train Operator Liaison Officers (TOLOs) |Issue 4 Download
RDG-GN017 February 2017 Competence of Station Incident Officers (SIOs) |Issue 3 Download
RDG-GN018 November 2017 Responding to Ill Customers on Trains |Issue 2 Download
RDG-OPS-GN-019 October 2020 Developing Train Driving Policies Aligned with Non-Technical Skills |Issue 3 Download
RDG-OPS-GN-021 Withdrawn Provision of Drinking Water for On-Train Use|Issue 3This document has been withdrawn. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. access.  
RDG-OPS-GN-022 October 2019 Safe Management of Pushchairs and Wheelchairs on Station Platforms| Issue 2 Download
RDG-GN023 October 2017 Checklist for Major Incident Response| Issue 2 Download
RDG-OPS-GN-024 Withdrawn
Selection and Management of Contractors| Issue 3
This document has been withdrawn. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for access.
 
RDG-GN025 April 2025

Post Incident Management of Personal Property | Issue 4

Download
RDG-GN026 October 2017 Planning for Special Events| Issue 2 Download
RDG-OPS-GN-027 Withdrawn
Winter Arrangements for Stations| Issue 2
This document has been withdrawn. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for access.
Download
GN030 January 2016 Developing ICT Capabilities| Issue 1 Download
GN033 April 2016 Station incident Response Planning| Issue 1 Download
GN034 February 2025

Logging and Loggists | Issue 3

Download
GN036 May 2016 Risks & Opportunities from ROCs and TM (by request only)| Issue 1  
RDG-GN037 January 2017 Contingency Planning for Power Outages| Issue 1 Download
RDG-GN038 May 2019 Data Protection Requirements During and After Incidents| Issue 3 Download
RDG-GN039 April 2017 Social Media Response to Major Incidents and Disruptive Events (by request only)| Issue 2 Download
RDG-GN040 May 2019 Delivering Good Schemes - Conventional Resignalling| Issue 2 Download
RDG-OPS-GN-041 Withdrawn

Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations |

This document has been withdrawn. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for access.

Download
RDG-GN044 July 2018 Proposals to Reduce Permissible Speed Restrictions| Issue 1 Download
RDG-OPS-GN-047 Withdrawn
The Application of Industry Policy on Driver Controlled Operations (by request only)| Issue 2
This document has been withdrawn. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for access.
 
RDG-GN046 November 2019 Post Incident Social Media Capabilities| Issue 1 Download
RDG-OPS-GN-049 December 2024

Meeting the Needs of Passengers Stranded on Trains | Issue 6

To view issue 5 of this guidance note which was effective until 31 March 2025 please click here

Download
GN CCTV October 2015 National Rail & Underground CCTV| Issue 4  
RDG-OPS-GN-050 Withdrawn
Train Evacuation Equipment and its Deployment| Issue 1
This document has been withdrawn. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for access.
 
RDG-OPS-GN-051 July 2024 Traincrew Resource Planning and Management: End-to-End Process (by request only)| Issue 2  
RDG-OPS-GN-052 July 2024 Strategic Planning and Forecasting for Traincrew (by request only)| Issue 2.1  
RDG-OPS-GN-053 July 2024 Workforce Planning for Traincrew (by request only)| Issue 2.1  
RDG-OPS-GN-054 July 2024 Traincrew Diagram Production (by request only)| Issue 2.1  
RDG-OPS-GN-055 July 2024 Creation of Base Roster, Linking and Fatigue Management (by request only)| Issue 3.1  
RDG-OPS-GN-056 July 2024 Establishment Calculation (by request only)| Issue 4.1  
RDG-OPS-GN-057 July 2024 Negotiating and Writing Agreements (by request only)| Issue 1.1  
RDG-OPS-GN-058 July 2024 Short-Term Deployment of Traincrew (by request only)| Issue 2.1  
RDG-OPS-GN-059 July 2024 Measuring and Managing Traincrew Productivity (by request only)| Issue 2  
RDG-OPS-GN-060 April 2023 Measuring the Availability and Productivity of Traincrew (by request only)| Issue 2 - This document has been withdrawn.  
RDG-OPS-GN-061 July 2024 Training, Competence and Development for the Supporting Cast for Drivers (by request only)| Issue 2  
RDG-OPS-GN-062 July 2024 Traincrew Resource Management Assurance (by request only)| Issue 2.1  
RDG-OPS-GN-063 January 2023 Critical Incident Management (by request only) |Issue 1  
RDG-OPS-GN-064 March 2025

Rail Emergency Management - Legal and Regulatory Register | Issue 2

Please review the guidance first. The associated register can be found here

Download
RDG-OPS-GN-065 October 2023 ICT Maturity Assessment Criteria & Process |Issue 1 Download
RDG-OPS-GN-068 August 2024 Control room resourcing and establishment (by request only) |Issue 1  
RDG-OPS-GN-069 October 2024 Conditions of Service & Working Arrangements (by request only) |Issue 1  
RDG-OPS-GN-071 March 2025

Rail Emergency Management – Effective
Learning and Development | Issue 1

Please review the guidance first. The associated framework can be found here

Download
RDG-OPS-GN-072 March 2025

Rail Emergency Management – Self-Assessment Tool Guidance | Issue 1

Please review the guidance first. The associated model can be found here

Download

GOOD PRACTICE GUIDES

Document Date Title Download
GPG005 December 2011 Controller Recruitment, Training & Competence | Issue 2 - UNDER REVIEW Download
GPG014 October 2006 De-icing Agents for On Station Use Download

# New Technology

GUIDANCE NOTES

Document Date Title Download
RDG/GN/GSM-R/001 January 2017 Managing GSM-R Train Radio | Issue 2 Download
RDG-ETCS-GN-001 January 2020 L-NTC Principle Considerations for Driver Training | Issue 3 Download
RDG-ETCS-GN-002 January 2020 L2 & L3 ETCS Principle Considerations for Driver Training | Issue 3 Download
RDG/GN/NTI/001 December 2017 Delivering Good Schemes - ETCS | Issue 1 Download
RDG/GN/NTI/003 September 2017 ETCS Commercial Arrangements (by request only) | Issue 1  
RDG-ETCS-GN-005 March 2020 ETCS On-board Equipment (by request only) | Issue 2  
RDG-GN/NTI/015 September 2017 Managing ERTMS Performance | Issue 2 Download
RDG-OPS-BWV March 2022 Body Worn Video Use | Issue 1 Download

# Other

Document Date Title Download
RSPS August 2024 Timetable Comparator Service - Commercial Policies Download
ATOC/OITC2015 November 2015 Operational Planning and Implementation of Timetable Change | Issue 1 Download
AWG May 2024 Managing Low Adhesion | Issue 7 Download
RDG/NTF/DoRPM October 2017 Definitions of Railway Performance Metrics | Issue 2.2 Download
OPS/GPG/99 June 2017 Operational Readiness for Delivery of Significant Engineering Works | Issue 1 Download
RDG-CONOPS/NTI/001 August 2017 Concept of Operations - Connected Driver Advisory Systems (C-DAS) | Issue 1 Download
RDG-CONOPS/NTI/002 January 2021 Concept of Operations - Stock and Crew Systems | Issue 1.1 Download
RDG-CSC/NTI/001 July 2018 Common System Capabilities - Stock and Crew System | Issue 1 Download
RDG-T&FG/NTI/001 May 2019 Crew and Stock Systems - Task and Finish Group Final Technical Report | Issue 1 Download
RDG-OPS-GN-067 October 2023 Body Worn Video Approach to Adoption | Issue 1 Download
  February 2024 GB Rail Approach to Hot Weather Management | Issue 2 Download
  May 2024 GB Rail Industry Approach to Railhead Adhesion Management | Issue 2 Download
  August 2023 GB Rail Industry Approach to Cold Weather Management Download