Division 7.3.5 Wheel-rail contact (wheel profiles) (Section 4.2.10)

Specific case for trainsets operating frequently on British lines:

• It is permissible for trainsets that frequently operate on the British network to be fitted with wheels with the EP8 profile when the following conditions are met:

  • the maximum service speed of the trainsets so equipped shall be less than or equal to 250 km/h,

  • a report is made available which contains:

    • a demonstration of the stable running of this profile on interoperable tracks,

    • a calculation of the different critical speeds on interoperable tracks taking into account the range of wear experienced in service,

    • a report of service trials on interoperable tracks to confirm these results.

Specific case for trains running on Irish and Northern Irish networks:

• Wheel sets of trains designed for interoperable running on lines of the Irish and Northern Irish networks shall be compatible with the track gauge of 1 602 mm.