scope:

This standard specifies the engineering requirements guidance for the management of wheelsets fitted to rail vehicles owned by Network Rail.

This standard applies to all wheelsets and axle bearings fitted to Network Rail rail vehicles where the terms of the lease or hire contract make Network Rail wheelset maintenance standards applicable and Private Owner vehicles operated and registered under the Private Wagon Registration Agreement (PWRA).

All references to 'Network Rail vehicles' in this standard relate to rail vehicles owned, leased or hired by Network Rail, including on-track machines (OTMs) where Network Rail has engineering responsibility.

Further information on the Network Rail vehicles covered by the manual are listed in the Network Rail 'Rail Vehicle Asset Register'.

The applicable PWRA vehicles are recorded under the relevant Private Owner Agreement and identified on Total Operations Processing System (TOPS) by the relevant Private Owner prefix code.

Purpose

The implementation of this standard helps to mitigate the following risks:

a) non-compliance with current legislation and regulatory requirements; and

b) operational safety risks on Network Rail managed infrastructure.

This standard is written in accordance with the requirements of NR/L1/RMVP/0001, NR/L2/RMVP/0090, GM/RT 2466, and guidance notes associated with GM/RT2466.