Guidance and information
For everyone
The Heritage Railway Association produces a huge suite of guidance notes, information papers and documents for members. The HRA has also agreed to host two documents that originated with the Office of Rail and Road and make these publically available. These are 'Guidance on Minor Railways' (sometimes referred to as RSP5), and 'Level Crossings: A guide for managers, designers and operators' (RSP7).
Guidance on Minor Railways is in the process of being updated by a partnership of the HRA and ORR. As such some of the references and links may be dated, however it is still a highly valuable document for anyone operating a heritage railway.
Downloads
Level Crossings: A guide for managers, designers and operators
For members
The Heritage Railway Association provides members with a significant quantity of guidance and information specifically relevant to heritage railways in the UK. This is not intended to be a totally comprehensive list, however it is intended to provide non-members a flavour of the guidance and information available.
All of this, and more, is provided free of charge to HRA members. Most of the documents may also be made available to others on request. Please note that a fee will be charged for non-members.
Boilers and steam locomotives
Preparation, operation and disposal of steam locomotives
Coal
Boiler stays
Superheaters
Boiler mountings, pipework and fittings
Fusible plugs
Washout plugs
Safety valves
Platework
Inner firebox repair and renewal
Steel rivets and riveting
Welding procedures and processes
Patch screws
Smokeboxes
Steam heating apparatus
Boiler water treatment
Washout and examination
Materials and non-destructive testing
Quality assurance
Written schemes of examination
Tubing of boilers
Mudhole doors
Frost and corrosion protection
Business
Social media guidance
VAT and Gift Aid
Energy brokers
Planning and permitted development
Visitor economy information
Environmental policies
Carriage and wagon
Air brake systems
Overhaul of vacuum cylinders
Overhaul of vacuum equipment on Mk 1 and Mk 2 carriages
Overhaul of bodyside swing doors
Repair of Mk 2 and Mk 3 outward opening doors and striking plate fixings
Overhaul of B4 and B5 bogies
Braking system maintenance
Overhaul of door locks
Door lock testing
Engineering
Permanent way planning, inspection and maintenance
Inspection and maintenance of civil engineering assets
Control of vegetation
Funding for training
On Track Plant
Working at height
Fitness to Run examinations
Workshop health and safety guidance
Equality and Diversity
Equality, diversity and inclusivity in heritage rail
Making disabled people welcome in your organisation
How to make your marketing more accessible and inclusive
How to understand your audiences
Introduction to autism
The Equality Act and you
Inclusive language guide
Inclusive recruitment
Bullying and harassment
Gender reassignment and gender identity in the workplace
Race discrimination
Governance
Duties and roles of the board and chairman
The role and duties of the company secretary
Care of key corporate documentation
Dispute resolution procedures
State aid
NLHF grant applications
TWA applications
Compliance with third party SMS and insurance requirements
HRA Code of Conduct
Grievance and disciplinary procedures
How to prevent volunteers inadvertently becoming employees or workers
Working with young volunteers
Museums and heritage
An introduction to the basics of museums
Accreditation guidance for museums
Reviewing your heritage railway collections
Operations
Competence management systems
Shunting, including coupling and uncoupling
Control of operations
Photographic charters and filming
Incident reporting and contacting the emergency services
Incident investigation
Rolling stock hire agreements
Operation of horse trams
Steel wire haulage ropes
Mechanical braking
Conditions of carriage
Drones
Filming on heritage railways
Guidance for organising school and pre-school parties
Use of red diesels
Fitness assessments for safety critical workers
Managing and preventing lineside fires
Risk assessment
First aid
Special events
Train dispatch
Personal track safety
Travelling Post Office operation
Road vehicle incursions
Level crossing sighting distances
Footplate experience courses
Emergency planning
Safety
ORR Guidance on minor railways
Management of safety critical work
Safety audits
General health and safety guidance
Training
Needle stick injuries
Fire safety
Safety design principles
