Route Availability

Route Availability is used to determine the compatibility of the weight of rail vehicles with the strength of underline bridges.

The Route Availability (RA) number for a vehicle is derived from its maximum axle loads and axle spacings; the RA number for a route is derived mainly from the strength of the underline bridges.

Examples of the maximum axle load (which may reduce for some axle spacings) corresponding to RA numbers are:

  • RA 3 up to 16.5 tonnes per axle;
  • RA 5 up to 19.0 tonnes per axle;
  • RA 8 up to 22.8 tonnes per axle.
  • RA 10 up to 25.4 tonnes per axle.

Details on how to determine the RA number for a vehicle are given in the industry standard GE/RT8006 “Interface between Rail Vehicle Weights and Underline Bridges” available from the Rail Safety and Standards Board.

A vehicle is permitted to travel over a route if the vehicle RA is less than or equal to the route RA. If a Train Operator needs to run trains that are heavier than the published RA number, it will be necessary to contact Network Rail to establish the relevant requirements.

Early consultation

Early consultation with Network Rail is recommended when considering options for new vehicles or operation that exceed the verified Route Availability or the limits of validity of the RA System.

Further information

Details of Route Availability for routes across the network are published in Table D of the Sectional Appendix (except in Scotland where they are contained in a separate publication called Route Availability Table - Scotland).

To access the details published in the National Electronic Sectional Appendix (NESA), please use the link provided. A further link within the NESA also gives access to the publication Route Availablity Table Scotland.

Discrepancies

In the case of Route Availability we have verified records and identified a number of discrepancies in the published information when compared to actual capability. Pending their resolution, details of these discrepancies are provided in the Discrepancy Register which should be read in conjunction with the details in the NESA. The register can be accessed via the further link provided within the NESA.

More information

More general information about network capability is provided in our Network Statement (Section 3), also published on this web-site.