An essential course for rail

Basic Principles,
Advanced Outcomes.

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For engineering work on or near

Network Rail’s Infrastructure

Railway – 100 Basic Principles

This course is designed to provide you with a basic level of knowledge in relation to the rules and regulations when carrying out engineering work on or near Network Rail’s infrastructure.

The course is broken down into various modules and once you have confirmed that you have understood the material contained in each module, you will then be asked to take a test at the end of the course.

The test contains the 20 questions to which you need to complete in order to earn your pass certificate. If they are correctly answered they will prove that you have understood the material contained in the course and you will be deemed competent in the 100 Basic Principles Course! You are allowed and have access to re-read the course presentation notes in order to help you answer all of your questions.

Lessons

Designed for those with a basic understanding of electrical principles or people who already hold a SPWEE certificate requiring re-certification.

100 Basic Principles Pass Certificate

Upon successful completion of the course.

Lessons to learn

About the Railway

Network Rail maintains railway infrastructure (including signalling, tracks, bridges, tunnels, and depots), while train and freight operating companies run services on it, employing staff like drivers and station personnel to operate and manage trains.

Trains on the Infrastructure

Various types of passenger and freight trains—ranging from express services like Pendolino and coaching stock to local DMUs and freight trains—operate on Network Rail infrastructure.

Railway Bridges & Structures

Network Rail manages crossings like bridges and level crossings, including under- and over-bridges, and also leases railway arches to businesses as a source of revenue.

Level Crossings

Across Network Rail infrastructure, level crossings allow roads and paths to cross railway lines, with various types including automated, signaller-controlled, and manually operated crossings.

Personal Protective Equipment

When working on or near the railway, you must wear minimum PPE including a hard hat, safety boots, and approved high-visibility clothing.

Access/Egress to the Railway & Location Markers

The railway is dangerous, so always use authorised access points and routes and ensure gates are securely locked after use.

Warning Signs

When working lineside, you must follow all warning signs—such as limited clearance, no refuge, and prohibition notices—to stay in safe positions and avoid danger from approaching trains.

Signals

Network Rail uses colour light and semaphore signals—automated and manual respectively—to control train movements, alongside stop boards for instructions in yards and depots.

Points and Switches

Trains switch between tracks via points operated by signallers, using systems such as hydraulic, electro-mechanical, or air-powered mechanisms.

Ground Frame

Ground Frames, released by the signaller, allow access from sidings to the main line once permission is granted.

Line Identification

Network Rail uses various track layouts with lines identified as Up/Down Fast, Up/Down Slow, or bi-directional, as noted in the Sectional Appendix.

On or near the line

You are “on or near the line” or “lineside” based on your proximity to tracks, and must only enter these areas if necessary and trained in Personal Track Safety or under a COSS/SWL1.

Track layout

Trackside areas like cess, four-foot, six-foot, and ten-foot spaces define safe walking zones and house troughing for signalling cables, with tripping hazards present.

Overhead Line Equipment (OHLE)

OHLE carries 25kV AC to trains via pantographs, and you must maintain safe distances, never touch live equipment, and report faults to the Electrical Control Operator (ECO).

Direct Current System (DC)

Third rail DC systems carry 750V, are extremely dangerous, and require approved electrical isolation before any work.

Signal Post Telephone/Communication

Signal post telephones use the phonetic alphabet and are only used in emergencies, with marked signs indicating restricted access.

Possession Arrangements

Absolute possessions close lines for engineering work, managed by a PICOP, allowing maintenance machines like stone blowers and tamping machines to operate safely.

Protection Arrangements

Line blockage and signal protection procedures prevent train movements, requiring IWA or COSS/SWL1 competence.

Competences

PTS, IWA, and COSS/SWL1 qualifications define who can work on or near the line and under what supervision or protections.

Documentation

Network Rail provides documents like the Sectional Appendix, Hazard Directory, and Weekly Operating Notice to communicate line details, hazards, and operational instructions.

An absolutely essential course for working on or near railway lines.

Christian Rouse

RT Training Solutions

100 Basic Principles

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Contact Details

01473 242344