The Freight Safe Programme welcomed experts from across the rail industry to a Freight Braking and Adhesion Research Group (FBARG) seminar, held in Derby on 3rd December.

Established in late 2024, FBARG co-ordinates and oversees research on freight train braking and adhesion performance, and supports three major research projects delivered under the Wagon Condition Programme (WCP) and governed by the Freight Safe Programme (FSP) board.

Delivered in partnership with RSSB, the event brought together a strong attendance of representatives from across the sector, including freight operating companies, Entities in Charge of Maintenance, Original Equipment Manufacturers, infrastructure managers, the Office of Rail and Road, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, and academia.

Co-hosted by Neil Ovenden, Chair of the Wagon Condition Programme’s FBARG group, and Tim Shakerley, the WCP Programme lead, the seminar offered a comprehensive overview of both completed and ongoing research in managing braking performance in low adhesion, understanding longitudinal compressive forces and the rate at which wheel flats can form under varying braking and adhesion conditions – all of which have the potential to cause derailments.

The morning sessions focused on completed research and featured three presentations. Robert Morley of Mott MacDonald shared findings on the above rail-related factors contributing to wheel flats in freight vehicles, supported by detailed modelling and analysis. This was followed by Julian Stow from the University of Huddersfield, who presented work modelling the underlying conditions that can lead to wheel flats in rail freight vehicles.

Mark Thompson, of Thompson Technical Services, then provided a deep analysis of causal events leading to wheel damage in rail freight wagons. Together, these insights offered a robust understanding of the causes of wheel damage and set the foundation for targeted improvements in braking performance.

In the afternoon, attention turned to ongoing work programme studies. Adam Twigg and Daniel Jones, from Serco, examined the factors impacting freight braking in low adhesion, followed by Paul Molyneux-Berry from the University of Huddersfield, who outlined work to better understand longitudinal compressive forces in rail freight. Both sessions sparked lively discussion through dedicated Q&As led by Tim Shakerley.

The seminar highlighted the importance of continued collaboration to enhance performance, build confidence, and support long-term growth in the rail freight sector. Participants acknowledged the vital role of data in understanding industry trends and were invited to identify any knowledge gaps and areas where further research by FBARG could add value.

Commenting on the future direction of the programme, Tim Shakerley said:

Neil Ovenden, adds:

The event concluded with reflections from David Golding, Safety and Sustainability Director at GBRF and member of the FSP Board, who said:

Members of the Wagon Condition Programme (WCP) project team came together at Freightliner’s Basford Hall depot in Crewe in September for an update on their work to produce industry-wide guidance and best practice advice on freight train preparation.

The WCP is a priority project of the Freight Safe Programme and aims to improve the way freight wagons are prepared for the rail network by driving continuous improvement in maintenance, train preparation, and the use of emerging technology. At its core, the programme promotes industry-led learning and collaboration, using sector-wide knowledge and experience to deliver practical, scalable improvements.

Part of the work being spearheaded by this programme is a specific focus on train preparation practices. The goal is to establish clear, industry-wide guidance for Freight Operating Companies and freight partners, helping to deliver consistent, high-performing train preparation and a basis for long-term industry resilience.

The meeting brought together updates from the Freight Operating Company Working Group, RSSB, Basford Hall’s Centre of Excellence team, rail industry operational and standard experts, and competency specialists. Discussions centred on the Train Preparation Standard pilots, the Train Preparation Maturity Model, and the development of new guidance on the competence and training of train preparers.

Significant progress has already been achieved. A draft Train Preparation Standard has been developed, with pilot studies successfully completed at both Basford Hall and Margam Centres of Excellence, along with Dove Holes in Derbyshire. These pilots highlighted the professionalism and collaboration of all involved – particularly ground staff, who played a central role in table-top exercises and practical trials. The pilots confirmed the strength of the standard and identified opportunities for refinement, which are now being incorporated into the documentation process.

In parallel, the Train Preparation Maturity Model and Toolkit are progressing well, with work underway to collate mitigating measures to ensure train preparation remains safe and efficient across the network. A review of the draft Train Preparation Standard’s requirements is ongoing, assessing its application under all operational conditions.

In addition, updates from the Rail Industry Standards (RIS) Working Group and RSSB highlighted ongoing reviews of standards covering key topics such as vehicle condition checks, brake tests, and handbrake status. The Competence Working Group has agreed high-level tasks for train preparers, including safety-critical communications, personal safety, and workload management. Discussions with industry groups continue to shape guidance and ensure emerging standards align with operational needs.

Looking ahead, the next phase of the workstream will see the draft standard tested further across varied environments with an additional Centre of Excellence programme being rolled out before the end of the year, and five new sites identified to trial the maturity model, toolkit, and grading system. The trials will test mitigating measures and provide valuable insights to support consistent, high-quality train preparation across the industry. A key priority will be demonstrating the value of the changes and to reach agreement and promote adoption of the train preparation standard consistently across all freight operating companies by Q2 of 2026.

Reflecting on the meeting, Stuart Ash, who sits on the WCP Board and is Chair of the National Freight Safety Group (NFSG), said:

Tim Shakerley, chair of the FSP’s Wagon Condition Programme Board, said:

The project manager, David Ethell, added:

• A draft Train Preparation Standard has been developed for all operational conditions
• Pilot studies completed at Basford Hall and Margam Centres of Excellence, and Dove Holes in Derbyshire, demonstrating collaboration and professionalism, with ground staff central to table-top exercises and on-train pilots
• Refinement opportunities identified during pilots and incorporated into the documentation process
• The Train Preparation Maturity Model and Toolkit moves forward at pace, helping to identify and implement mitigating measures to ensure train preparation remains safe and efficient across the network
• Updates from the RIS Working Group and RSSB on vehicle condition checks, brake tests, and handbrake status used in the project work
• Competence Working Group achievements captured, including high-level tasks for train preparers covering safety-critical communications, personal safety, and workload management

• Continue reviewing draft standard requirements to confirm applicability across all operational conditions
• Expand the Centre of Excellence programme, with five new sites testing the Train Preparation Maturity Model, toolkit, and grading system
• Share learnings before the end of the year to support consistent adoption across sites
• Encourage all Freight Operating Companies to sign up to the Train Preparation Standard for industry-wide consistency
• Maintain engagement with the RIS Working Group, RSSB, and Competence Working Group to refine requirements and embed high standards for train preparers

The rail freight industry is currently being consulted on a major project to set out Key Wagon Maintenance Principles, which has been drafted by industry under a joint initiative between the Freight Safe Programme (FSP) and RSSB.

The stand-alone document which, following the industry consultation, is due for publication in November 2025 and will be further presented to the industry in an RSSB webinar on 08 December. The document has been produced to support Entities in Charge of Maintenance (ECMs) in achieving excellence in maintenance practices and procedures in a cost-effective way. It will also fulfil some of the recommendations in the Railway Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report published in 2022 into the 2020 Llangennech train derailment and fire at Carmarthenshire in Wales.

The group has focussed on:

1. The promotion of improved maintenance, instructions, equipment, working conditions, methods and levels of compliance
2. How to encourage the effective sharing of safety related information between wagon owners and maintainers
3. Quality and management assurance processes that encompass ECM workshops, contractors and suppliers to specialised services
4. How to develop the competence of those undertaking maintenance of freight wagons including the ability to spot defects that may affect the safe operation of freight wagons

Competence applies to the whole system of maintenance, and there was a need to provide existing and new ECMs with examples of good practice, also recommended by the RAIB report, which could be adopted to meet the legal requirements for all four ECM functions.

Tim Shakerley, Chair of the Wagon Condition Programme,which is one of the Freight Safe Programme’s key priority projects, said:

It is intended that the good practice outlined may be used to review and be adopted within the management system of freight ECMs to further improve performance. The content will also be of interest to those interacting with ECMs: wagon builders, owners, suppliers, keepers, freight operating companies, infrastructure managers, regulators and certification bodies.

Critically, the work so far has identified and prioritised where the industry could usefully produce more guidance and support to improve clarity and execution of maintenance of vehicles. A programme of work is being developed to ensure that the continuous improvement and development of guidance continue beyond the publication of the principles document.

Peter Theobald, Rolling Stock Systems Engineer at RSSB, is leading on the Key Wagon Maintenance Principles project, with significant support from James Ambrose at Network Rail.

Mark Oakley, Professional Head of Rolling Stock at RSSB, said:

The Key Wagon Maintenance Principles document was sent to industry for consultation on 18, September with a closing date of 02 October prior to the final publication in December.

The Freight Safe Programme, which was established in 2024 to ensure forthright and continuous innovations in rail freight for the benefit of the industry and its customers, has produced a process to identify emerging and future risks to the sector.

‘Horizon Scanning’, a structured process for considering potential problems, threats, opportunities and likely future developments, such as extreme weather conditions or cyber-attacks, has been identified as a key consideration for the rail freight industry in harnessing opportunities and mitigating challenges. Over 10 months, a development project to provide tools to aid freight companies in planning for future risks was put into place, overseen by the Freight Safe Programme (FSP) and in partnership with the Foresight and Horizon Scanning Team at the Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB).

Geoff Spencer, Chair of the Freight Safe Programme Steering Group, said:

The ‘Horizon Scanning Service’ will deliver quarterly reports on emerging risks, alongside support for organisations to assist them in using the information.

Guy Yeomans, Principal – Horizon Scanning at RSSB, said:

The first edition of the ‘Freight Emerging Risks Horizon Scanning Brief’ is due to be released in September 2025.

The FSP was launched in early 2024 and brings together key stakeholders to build on rail freight’s strong safety performance. It leads on key safety projects to give expertise across the industry on any potential challenges and risks. It is led by a steering group of senior and experienced professionals from across rail freight. The programme is a collaborative rail freight industry undertaking, which is partly funded by Network Rail’s Freight Safety Improvement Portfolio (FSIP) as well as funding coming from freight operating companies and other key stakeholders.

The Freight Safe Programme consists of four priority projects and a collection of collaborative projects which are led by the National Freight Safety Group (NFSG).

NFSG has delivered a ‘During Shift Fatigue’ assessment tool as one of these collaborative projects, which was driven by an identified need from the industry.

The tool is helping freight organisations better assess and manage driver fatigue levels during their shifts.

Following discussions around the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report into a collision at Loversall Carr Junction, the NFSG Freight Fatigue Working Group found that assessing driver fatigue levels proactively during their shifts posed a significant challenge.

This incident occurred in July 2022 when a freight train passed a signal at danger and collided with the rear of a stationary freight train.

Most assessments rely solely on drivers self-reporting fatigue when levels have already reached an unacceptable level. But this leaves no room for mitigations other than finding a relief driver.

This new tool helps to better assess driver fatigue levels during their shift, and also gives guidance to control room staff on potential solutions to help with fatigue management.

Stuart Ash, Chair of the NFSG, said:

The tool was trialled successfully by Direct Rail Services and Colas Rail.

You can read their stories of implementation in the following case studies:

• Colas Rail – Alertness assessment
• Direct Rail Services (NTS) – Alertness assessment trial

The tool is available for organisations to use. Click here for more information.