Operational Rules
The Rules of the Route
The Rule of the Route (RoR) are rules regulating the arrangements for access to the various parts of the main rail network, when affected by inspection, maintenance, renewal and other works. They are one of a pair of documents along with Rules of the Plan (see below) which, when agreed upon by the users of the relevant railway route, provide rights of access that, with certain rights of train operators, are described as ‘firm rights’ and enjoy priority in the timetabling process.
RoR consist of two parts. The first is a short National Overview; which sets out the planning rules, for the primary benefit of those who require engineering (as opposed to train) access to the network. The second part comprises the bulk of the document, which contains route-specific details and provides details of restrictions of use of the network due to maintenance, renewal and enhancement work.
The current version of RoR can be viewed here
The Rules of the Plan
The Rules of the Plan (RoP) are rules regulating the standard timings between stations and junctions together with other matters enabling trains to be scheduled into the working timetable for the various parts of the main rail network. They are one of a pair of documents along with Rules of the Route (see above) which, when agreed upon by the users of the relevant railway route, provide rights of access that, with certain rights of train operators, are described as ‘firm rights’ and enjoy priority in the timetabling process.
RoP contains two parts: a National Overview and route-specific sections, containing wide-ranging information required to undertake the compilation of the timetable. The National RoP contains a ‘plain English’ description of the timetable planning process together with details of the planning schedule and requirements to be met in train operators’ bids for train paths. It also contains a procedure for the agreement of short term changes to RoR and RoP. The route-specific sections contain such data as standard timing points, sectional running times for specific train types, headway and margin limits to be maintained between trains, station working rules and route capability data.
The current version of RoR can be viewed here
RoR consist of two parts. The first is a short National Overview; which sets out the planning rules, for the primary benefit of those who require engineering (as opposed to train) access to the network. The second part comprises the bulk of the document, which contains route-specific details and provides details of restrictions of use of the network due to maintenance, renewal and enhancement work.
The current version of RoR can be viewed here
The Rules of the Plan
The Rules of the Plan (RoP) are rules regulating the standard timings between stations and junctions together with other matters enabling trains to be scheduled into the working timetable for the various parts of the main rail network. They are one of a pair of documents along with Rules of the Route (see above) which, when agreed upon by the users of the relevant railway route, provide rights of access that, with certain rights of train operators, are described as ‘firm rights’ and enjoy priority in the timetabling process.
RoP contains two parts: a National Overview and route-specific sections, containing wide-ranging information required to undertake the compilation of the timetable. The National RoP contains a ‘plain English’ description of the timetable planning process together with details of the planning schedule and requirements to be met in train operators’ bids for train paths. It also contains a procedure for the agreement of short term changes to RoR and RoP. The route-specific sections contain such data as standard timing points, sectional running times for specific train types, headway and margin limits to be maintained between trains, station working rules and route capability data.
The current version of RoR can be viewed here