BS EN 15273-3:2013+A1:2016

What is BS EN 15273- 3 – Requirements and rules for Structure gauges about?  

BS EN 15273 is a European standard that discusses gauge for railway applications. BS EN 15273- 3 provides the best industry guidance on structure gauges to ensure their safety and maintenance. 

BS EN 15273- 3 is  the third part of a multi-part series that: 

• Defines the various profiles needed to install, verify, and maintain the various structures near the structure gauge 
• Lists the various phenomena to be considered to determine the structure gauge 
• Defines a methodology that may be used to calculate the various profiles from these phenomena 
• Lists the rules to determine the distance between the track centers 
• Lists the rules to be complied with when building the platforms 
• Lists the rules to determine the pantograph gauge 
• Lists the formulae needed to calculate the structure gauges in the catalog 

The defined gauge includes the space to be gauged and maintained to allow the running of rolling stock and the rules for calculation and verification. That is intended for sizing the rolling stock to run on one or several infrastructures without interference risk. 

BS EN 15273- 3 defines methodologies to demonstrate gauge compatibility between infrastructure and rolling stock. 

The gauges included in BS EN 15273- 3 have been developed as part of their application on European railways. Other networks such as regional, local, urban, and suburban networks may apply the gauge regulations defined in BS EN 15273- 3. They may be required to make use of specific methodologies, particularly where: 

• Specific rolling stock is used (for example underground trains, trams, etc. Operating on two rails) 
• Use occurs in other ranges of radii 
• Others 

Note: The catalog included in BS EN 15273- 3, only includes a selection of gauges and is not exhaustive. Each network is free to define the gauges according to its own needs. 

Who is BS EN 15273- 3 - Requirements and rules for Structure gauges for? 

BS EN 15273- 3 on the requirements and rules for structure gauges for railways is useful for: 

• Manufacturers of gauges and related components 
• Installers for gauges and related components 
• Test centers  
• Regulatory authorities 

Why should you use BS EN 15273- 3 - Requirements and rules for Structure gauges? 

Structure gauge defines the space, relative to the track used called the reference track, to be cleared of all objects or structures and relative to the traffic on adjacent tracks to permit safe operation on this reference track. 

BS EN 15273- 3 guideline assists you with general information on all the gauging methods, rules for determination of the static gauge, rules for determination of the kinematic gauge, rules for determination of the dynamic gauge, the distance between track centers, elements of variable layout, determination of the pantograph free passage gauge, determination of the pantograph free passage mechanical gauge (in the case of the kinematic gauge), overhead contact wire, rules for installation of platform edges, tilting trains, track accessories, verification, and maintenance for the structure of gauges. 

With compliance and obedience of BS EN 15273- 3, you can have a proper structure for gauges and enable train operations and track maintenance by incorporating allowances for safety and maintenance.