Minor Railways Library
  1. Licensing
  2. Membership & Registration
  3. Qualifications & CPD
  4. Publications & Resources
  5. Get Involved
  6. News
  1. Licensing
  2. Membership & Registration
  3. Qualifications & CPD
  4. Publications & Resources
  5. Get Involved
  6. News

IRSE Minor Railways section library

The IRSE Minor Railways section publishes a series of guidelines aimed at minor railways which are available from the list below

Feedback from these guidelines are welcomed, and should be directed to the Minor Railways section document controller who will ensure that the feedback is passed onto the appropriate person.

Please ensure that you are using the most recent version of the guidelines by checking the Index & Status document on this page.

Index and Status v28

Please use the Index and Status Document v28 to ensure that the guidance documents you are using are the most current

Glossary v2

The glossary v2 defines the meaning of commonly used signalling and telecommunications terms to ensure that each term is clearly understood and always used to convey the same meaning

Management of cables CA01 v2

CA01 management of cables provides information on the provision and management of the cables that can be used for signalling and telecommunications systems on Minor Railways

Guideline regarding Competence for Signal and Telecommunications Staff on Minor Railways CO01 v2

The guideline regarding Competence for Signal and Telecommunications Staff on Minor Railways describes the options available to Minor Railways to demonstrate the competence of Signal and Telecommunications staff to satisfy the requirements of The Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006 (ROGS)

Management of signalling relays EL01 v2

The management of signalling relays document gives advice on the care and management of relays used for safety critical and safety related applications in railway signalling systems, to ensure that they perform safely and reliably throughout their expected life. It is written from the perspective of UK practice

Maintenance of lever frames, signal wire runs and rodding ME01 v2

Maintenance of lever frames, signal wire runs and rodding shows recommended maintenance procedures and any known material constraints to enable wire runs and rodding to remain functionally available

Mechanically operated points PA01 v2

Mechanically operated points document describes the layout and operation of mechanical points worked from a mechanical signal box or ground frame. It does not include the operation of points by a hand lever or pneumatic or power.

Basics of keeping S&T records on minor railways PO01 v2

The basics of keeping S&T records on minor railways is one of a series prepared for those associated with heritage railways who do not have a direct background in railway S&T engineering. It describes the background and process for keeping operational records for the maintenance of S&T equipment and systems on minor railways. This is to assist new operations or existing railways with new systems to get started on maintaining and preserving their assets

Basics of scheduling S&T maintenance for minor railways PO03 v2

The basics of scheduling S&T maintenance for minor railways has been produced an introduction to those in the minor railway field who do not have a background in the S & T profession or industry, the concepts of setting up schedules for the maintenance regime to meet the present day requirements of the rail regulator and safety authorities

Basics of maintaining S&T equipment on minor railways PO05 v2

The basics of maintaining S&T equipment on minor railways document has been produced to introduce the basics of the processes for maintenance of S & T equipment and systems to those who volunteer to maintain today’s minor railway

Inspection and audit PO07 v2

The inspection and audit document describes some simple methods for self-analysis that will enable minor railways to identify potential areas of weakness and develop targeted improvement strategies

Signalling & Telecoms maintenance and reference measurements for minor railways PO08 v1

The signalling & Telecoms maintenance and reference measurements for minor railways document gives details for typical reference measurements used in S&T engineering

Scheme development for a minor railway PO11 v1

The scheme development for a minor railway document provides information on the development of a signalling and telecommunications scheme from first principles. The details contained in this document should be used as a best practice guide rather than a definitive methodology to be followed 

Power supplies for S&T equipment on minor railways PW01 v1

The power supplies for S&T equipment on minor railways document provides information on power supplies used on minor railways, primarily to provide guidance on when IET edition 18th rules (BS7671) should apply in relation to power supplies provided for signalling or telecommunication purposes

Train detection DC track circuits TC01 v2

The train detection DC track circuits document provides information on DC track circuits

Train detection - bonding and cables TC11 v2

The train detection - bonding and cables document provides information on track circuit bonding for non-electrified lines. It includes information on cables, cable terminations and track circuit interrupters

Basics of operational telephone systems for minor railways TE01 v3

The basics of operational telephone systems for minor railways document provides information on the equipment and systems of operational telephone systems on minor railways

Testing of mechanical frames TS01 v2

The testing of mechanical frames document provides information on the best practice for the testing of mechanical locking frames