Clearance and testing and inspection procedures

Testing/inspection procedure for oversized vehicles as it pertains to double-decker wagons (Dostos).

Paragraph 22 of the EBO (Railway Construction and Operation Regulations) states that only those vehicles can be used without restriction whose dimensions are compliant with kinematic reference line G 2. Vehicles that do not fulfil this condition are by definition oversized and are checked and tested with respect to the designated route.

Testing/inspection procedure

On the railway network operated by DB Netz AG, the respective kinematic structure gauge G2 is typically (at minimum) maintained for restriction-free through-passage (cf. illustration 1, appendix 1 of paragraph 9 of the EBO (Railway Construction and Operation Regulations) on uniform gauge G2)). Oversized vehicles such as double-decker wagons (Dostos) do not comply with this requirement. Dostos currently in operative use exceed the reduced reference line G2 by up to 118 mm in the upper part. Since every case of the reference line being exceeded represents a hazard, the availability of the infrastructure installation limit gauge (structure gauge) along the designated route must be checked for absolute compliance and the compatibility with the infrastructure confirmed by the infrastructure manager (IM). To this end, an application must be submitted for a ”Navigability assessment for oversized vehicle” in accordance with guideline 810.0503 (appendix 2.4.2 of the network statement (NS)) to the contacts listed in section 1.8 of the NS. The navigability assessment must be submitted along with a calculation of the reductions (rolling stock). This analysis and calculation can be used to determine the critical points of the vehicle contour and derive testing and inspection profiles. The route designated or planned for the operation must also be easy to determine when reading the application. For this purpose, the route number (cf. e.g. register of infrastructure (ISR)) and the kilometerage from/to including the starting and destination station must be specified for each route section.

If during investigations, it is discovered that there are clearance gauge conflicts with the infrastructure, rolling stock will not be allowed to pass along the section in question. If, on the other hand, there is no conflict potential, the conformity is formally certified and rolling stock is allowed to pass.

DB Netz AG publishes a directory of approved and released routes in the principles of the ISR.

The preparation of a “Navigability assessment for oversized vehicles” is an additional service by DB Netz AG that is subject to a fee. For additional information and details, please refer to network statement 2018 and guideline 810.0503, appendix 2.4.2 of the NS).