What is BS EN 13481-7 - switch and check rail performance requirements about?  
Rail sleepers are held in place using fastening systems. BS EN 13481-7 is a European Standard that discusses railway application from a perspective of performance requirements for track fastening systems.
BS EN 13481-7 is the seventh part of the multi-series, and specifies performance requirements for special fastening systems, in categories A – E as specified in EN 13481-1:2012, for switches and crossings and check rails secured within the overall fastening system (not independently fixed to the bearers) on wood, concrete and steel bearers, in ballasted track and on slab track and which have maximum axle loads and minimum curve radii in divergent track.
Note: BS EN 13481-7 is not applicable to rigid fastening systems.
Who is BS EN 13481-7 - switch and check rail performance requirements for? 
BS EN 13481-7 on switch and check rail performance requirements is useful for: 
- Owners and managers of the rail transport networks
- Designer and manufacturers of rail fastening components
- Train operating companies (TOCs)
- Project managers
- Product design engineers
- Railway engineers
- Quality control and testing authorities
- Railway infrastructure regulatory bodies
- Railway experts and advisors
- Experts involved in writing standards and technical reports
- Teams involved in documentation and reporting
Why should you use BS EN 13481-7 - switch and check rail performance requirements?  
Fastening systems generally consist of rail anchors, rail tie plates, chairs, fasteners, spikes, screws, bolts, etc.
BS EN 13481-7 helps you to to assess the suitability of fastening systems for use on railway tracks.
Various tests are necessary to assess the performance of fastening systems of railway tracks. In BS EN 13481-7, a requirement for longitudinal rail restraint is included to control rail creep.
The laboratory test for the effect of repeated loading is the means of assessing the potential long-term performance of the fastening in track.
BS EN 13481-7 also discusses the test for clamping force that suitable for laboratory use. The measurement of clamping force in the track can be used to monitor long-term performance. The method of measurement used is suitable for the design of the particular fastening system.
The requirements apply to fastening systems that incorporate a resilient element and act on the foot and/or web of the rail and which are intended for use with stock rail sections in EN 13674-1 (excluding 49E4) and EN 13674-4+A1.
BS EN 13481-7 is for type approval of a complete fastening assembly only. Requirements for quality control are included in BS EN 13481-7 applicable to individual components. With high-performance fastening systems, the ability to absorb rail shock can improve comfort levels for passengers and reduce travel fatigue.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 13481-7:2012 supersedes BS EN 13481-7:2003 which has been withdrawn. BS EN 13481-2:2012 includes some editorial and technical changes with reference to EN 13481-2:2003. These include:
- New categories of fastening systems have been introduced (Clause 1, Table 1)
- The ranges of test loads have been extended to cover the new categories of fastening systems (5.4)
- Advice on attenuation of noise and vibration has been added in a new annex (Annex A)
