January 2026 Updates: New Standards Advance Railway Engineering

Recent developments in railway engineering are setting new benchmarks for quality, safety, and digital connectivity. With the publication of two pivotal international standards in January 2026, the sector continues its rapid evolution to meet demands for increased safety, digitalization, and operational efficiency. This article offers a comprehensive review of EN 13262:2025 for rail wheels and FprEN IEC 61375-1:2025 covering train communication networks—detailing key requirements, industry impacts, and practical compliance strategies crucial for engineering and management professionals.

Overview

Railway engineering is the backbone of modern transport, driving innovations in rolling stock, infrastructure, and digitalization. As global transport networks grow in complexity and scale, international standards play a critical role in ensuring interoperability, safety, and quality across multiple jurisdictions and technologies.

• Why standards matter:
  • Define technical and safety baselines across manufacturers and operators
  • Ensure compatibility and interoperability between diverse systems
  • Facilitate easier procurement, reduced risk, and harmonized maintenance
  • Support compliance with international directives and best practices

In this article, you'll discover the essentials of the two new standards shaping the future of rail systems in 2026: one pertaining to the physical integrity of rail wheels, and the other to the digital architecture powering tomorrow's smart trains.

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN 13262:2025 – Wheels for Heavy Rail Vehicles

Railway applications – Wheelsets and bogies – Wheels – Product requirements

This comprehensive standard, issued by CEN, supersedes the previous 2020 edition and details the characteristics and requirements for wheels used in heavy rail track gauges. Applicable to both heavy rail and, by extension, urban rail vehicles, EN 13262:2025 covers everything from chemical composition to geometric tolerances, introducing best practices to prevent material fatigue and improve operational reliability.

Scope and Key Requirements

• Defines five steel grades—ER6, ER7, ER8, ERS8 (newly optimized for Rolling Contact Fatigue), and ER9
• Applies to monobloc wheels forged and rolled from vacuum-degassed steel with surface-treated rims
• Addresses both cylindrical and tapered bore designs
• Details test and evaluation procedures for new materials
• Outlines mechanical properties, hardness, impact resistance, material cleanliness, and fatigue characteristic thresholds

Target Audiences

• Wheel and rolling stock manufacturers
• Rail operators and maintainers
• Quality managers and compliance officers

Practical Implications & Notable Changes

• Mandatory application of thermo-sensitive paint on tread braked freight wheels to monitor overheating
• Introduction of ERS8 steel grade for better resistance to contact fatigue—leveraging service feedback (e.g., BS 5892-3 UK experience)
• Enhanced definitions and procedures for product qualification and control over manufacturing changes
• Improved guidance for component categories: Category 1 (high-speed >200 km/h), Category 2 (≤200 km/h)
• Detailed requirements for corrosion protection, residual stresses, and geometric tolerances

Key highlights:

• Toughness, hardness, and fatigue resistance requirements aligned with modern rolling stock demands
• Rigorous chemical composition, heat treatment, and material integrity testing protocols
• Comprehensive guidelines for surface condition, marking, and repair

Access the full standard:View EN 13262:2025 on iTeh Standards

FprEN IEC 61375-1:2025 – General Architecture for Train Communication Networks

Electronic railway equipment – Train communication network (TCN) – Part 1: General architecture

Developed by CLC and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), FprEN IEC 61375-1:2025 is the authoritative reference for the next generation of digital railway communication infrastructure. The fourth edition introduces robust architecture principles covering both on-board and train-to-ground data networks, facilitating advanced operations, automation, and cybersecurity.

Scope and Key Requirements

• Applies to both open trains (with changeable train compositions) and, optionally, closed and multiple-unit trains
• Defines the hierarchical network architecture:
  • Train backbone for inter-consist communication
  • Consist networks for intra-consist device integration
• Integrates Ethernet, wireless, and virtual network technologies
• Details addressing schemes, communication protocols, and interoperability between independent vendor systems
• Introduces network configuration options: bus, switched, wireless, and hybrid

Who Needs to Comply?

• Railway network designers and system integrators
• Rolling stock manufacturers supplying digital systems
• ICT/cybersecurity professionals in railway operations
• Authorities overseeing interoperability and automation

Notable Changes from Previous Edition

• Expanded support for wireless train backbones and consist networks (including redundancy and base station configurations)
• Introduction of virtual networking—for flexible, scalable system architectures
• Dedicated clause on cybersecurity:
  • Lifecycle management
  • Network segmentation
  • Data integrity and authentication
• Enhanced support for multimedia and telematics services (OMTS), including public address, video surveillance, and passenger connectivity

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive coverage of modern IT/OT convergence for railway systems
• Explicit focus on data security, integrity, and safety integrity
• Fully defines the “train inauguration” process—enabling self-organizing, interoperable networks

Access the full standard:View FprEN IEC 61375-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Adopting the new railway engineering standards published in January 2026 brings strategic benefits across multiple stakeholder groups. Whether you’re a manufacturer, operator, or systems integrator, compliance is both a regulatory obligation and a competitive necessity.

Business Impacts

• Safer operations: Updated material and structural requirements reduce wheel failure risk, protect passengers, and extend service intervals
• Increased reliability: Enhanced data networks and digital architectures boost diagnostics, automation, and predictive maintenance
• Global interoperability: Alignment with European Union Directives and international best practices facilitates market access and cross-border operations
• Efficient procurement: Standardization means clearer technical requirements, streamlined supplier qualification, and improved component interchangeability

Compliance Considerations

• Implementation timelines may be set by regional or national authorities following publication; advance planning is critical
• Quality and audit processes must be updated to reflect new qualification, inspection, and testing requirements
• Cybersecurity mandates in TCN architecture are becoming binding, especially for automated and remote operations
• Staff training: In-depth understanding of new requirements is needed across engineering, quality, and operations teams

Benefits of Proactive Adoption

• Demonstrated commitment to state-of-the-art safety and reliability
• Reduced risk of costly refurbishments or regulatory penalties
• Better access to international supply contracts

Risks of Non-Compliance

• Increased liability in the event of equipment failure or cybersecurity incidents
• Potential restrictions on network access or cross-border rail operations
• Higher lifecycle costs due to manual retrofits or ad-hoc redesigns

Technical Insights

Common Technical Themes

• Rigorous qualification: Both standards stress comprehensive evaluation and validation of components, materials, and systems
• Emphasis on testing: Mechanical, chemical, fatigue, and security tests are stipulated with clear inspection criteria
• Technical documentation and traceability: All products and networks must be fully documented, auditable, and tested as per the standards’ protocols

Best Practices for Implementation

1. Conduct a gap analysis comparing current engineering practices and IT architectures with new requirements
2. Engage in staff training on new standards, especially regarding welding, heat treatment, network protocols, and cybersecurity
3. Modernize testing laboratories and procedures to meet updated sample positions, testing frequencies, and acceptance thresholds
4. Integrate digital network design earlier in rolling stock or infrastructure projects, coordinating with electrical and mechanical teams
5. Engage with suppliers early to ensure component compliance and robust quality documentation

Testing and Certification

• Wheels and wheelsets: Adhere to extended testing for fatigue (10 million cycle requirement), toughness, and ultrasonic inspection for defects
• TCN systems: Simulate network operation, reconfiguration (“train inauguration”), and cybersecurity events as part of commissioning
• Third-party assessment is recommended for both physical products and digital systems prior to in-service operation

Conclusion & Next Steps

The January 2026 publication of EN 13262:2025 and FprEN IEC 61375-1:2025 marks a significant milestone in raising quality, safety, and interoperability across the global railway sector. As complexity grows—from advanced wheel metallurgy to integrated ICT platforms—the importance of adhering to up-to-date international standards cannot be overstated.

Key recommendations:

• Review both standards in detail and perform an impact assessment tailored to your operations
• Update design, procurement, and quality management processes to reflect new requirements
• Invest in training and modernization of laboratory/information systems
• Stay active in standards development forums and subscribe for ongoing updates at iTeh Standards

Stay at the forefront of railway engineering. Access the full standards for in-depth guidance and technical clarity:

• EN 13262:2025 on iTeh Standards
• FprEN IEC 61375-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

iTeh Standards remains your trusted source for the latest authoritative railway engineering standards, technical specifications, and compliance resources. Explore, purchase, and stay ahead with the industry’s best knowledge base.