What is BS EN 13146‑1- Longitudinal rail restraint for fastening systems about?
BS EN 13146 is a European standard that discusses railway applications and track test methods. The aim of the BS EN 13146 series is to increase operational efficiency and performance of track systems.
BS EN 13146‑1 is the first part of a multi-series of documents that specifies the laboratory test procedure to determine:
- The maximum longitudinal force that can be applied to a rail, secured to a sleeper, bearer or element of slab track by a rail fastening assembly, without non-elastic displacement of the rail occurring, or the longitudinal stiffness at a specified longitudinal displacement of a specimen of embedded rail with an adhesive fastening system, and, for any type of fastening
- The shear displacement and slip data required for track-bridge interaction calculations
Who is BS EN 13146‑1- Longitudinal rail restraint for fastening systems for?
BS EN 13146‑1 on longitudinal rail restraint for fastening systems is relevant to:
- Designer and producers of rail fastening systems
- Railway management authorities 
- Infrastructure managers 
- Testing laboratories
- Inspection and testing department in railways  
- Train operator companies (TOCs) 
Why should you use BS EN 13146‑1- Longitudinal rail restraint for fastening systems?
The main function of rail fastening systems is to fix rails to railway sleeper or railroad ties. Fastening systems generally consist of rail anchors, rail tie plates, chairs, fasteners, spikes, screws, bolts, etc.
For fastening systems that hold the rail mechanically (whether at discrete intervals or continuously) the test procedure in BS EN 13146‑1 measures the longitudinal rail restraint. For an embedded rail with an adhesive fastening system the test procedure measures the longitudinal stiffness.
As a result, you can determine the extent of resistance to braking and traction forces, thus ensuring that rail support system rigidity, track geometry and constant gauge length is maintained. Ultimately this can minimize the risk of derailment.
Overall, adopting BS EN 13146‑1-compliant tests for fastening systems ensures operational safety of the railway and vehicle with enhanced track stability. With high-performance fastening systems, the ability to absorb rail shock can also improve comfort levels for passengers.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 13146‑1:2019 supersedes BS EN 13146‑1:2012+A1:2014, which is withdrawn. BS EN 13146‑1:2019 has been editorially revised. Compared with EN 13146‑1:2012+A1:2014, the following changes have been made:
- Update of the European foreword
- Extension of the scope to embedded rails
- Adaptation of normative references
- Considers the requirements of EN 13146-9 for static and dynamic stiffnesses
- Clause 7 revised and calculation of the interaction between superstructures newly added
