EN 15839:2024
(Main)Railway applications - Testing and simulation for the acceptance of running characteristics of railway vehicles - Running safety under longitudinal compressive force
General Information
- Abstract
This document defines the assessment of endurable longitudinal compressive force (LCF) of a vehicle. The endurable longitudinal compressive force is a parameter depending on the vehicle design. It is used to estimate the risk of derailment of a vehicle as a result of being subjected to longitudinal compressive force, under operating conditions.
NOTE 1 As operating conditions can vary in several aspects (infrastructure, train configurations etc.), this document defines uniform assessments of endurable longitudinal compressive force per vehicle in specific operating conditions. The main assessment of endurable longitudinal compressive force for conventional trains is derived from UIC 530-2:2011, which is based on practical tests performed in ERRI-B12. Assessments of endurable longitudinal compressive force for high-capacity trains in this document are required by the methodology of IRS 40421. IRS 40421 assesses operational train parameters.
This document applies to the following types of vehicles:
- single wagons;
- permanently coupled units with standard ends between the vehicles;
- permanently coupled units with diagonal buffers and screw couplers between the vehicles;
- permanently coupled units with a bar coupler between the vehicles;
- articulated units with 2-axle bogies;
- wagons with 3-axle bogies;
- low-floor wagons with eight or more axles (e.g. rolling road wagon);
- vehicles with centre couplers;
- railbound construction and maintenance machines as defined in EN 14033-1:2017.
NOTE 2 This document defines the acceptance process to be followed by vehicles that are operated in a way that high longitudinal compressive force occur in the trains due to their operational environment (e.g. train composition, brake mode, track layout).
The following vehicles are not in the scope of this document:
- locomotives and passenger rolling stocks;
- vehicles that are only operated in passenger trains.
NOTE 3 Locomotives, passenger rolling stocks and vehicles operated in passenger trains only are not in the scope of this document as they either are subject to low longitudinal compressive force in operation or have sufficient endurable longitudinal compressive force due to their axle load.
Acceptance criteria and test conditions as well as conditions for simulation are defined in this document. Conditions for dispensation of the assessment of the endurable longitudinal compressive force are also defined in this document.
This document applies principally to vehicles which operate without restrictions on tracks with a gauge of 1 435 mm in Europe.
NOTE 4 The influence on railway systems using other gauges is not sufficiently understood to extend the scope of this document to gauges other than 1 435 mm.
NOTE 5 For wagons with centre couplers, a need for assessment of derailment risk due to Longitudinal Forces on other gauges (1 524 mm, 1 600 mm, 1 668 mm) has been expressed. The influence on railway systems using other gauges is not sufficiently understood. This document only introduces some notions to assess it independently from the gauge.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 15-Oct-2024
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 256 - Railway applications
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 256/WG 10 - Vehicle/Track Interaction
- Current Stage
- 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
- Start Date
- 16-Oct-2024
- Due Date
- 11-Sep-2024
- Completion Date
- 16-Oct-2024
Overview
EN 15839:2024 - Railway applications - Testing and simulation for the acceptance of running characteristics of railway vehicles - Running safety under longitudinal compressive force (LCF) - is a CEN European Standard that defines how to assess the endurable longitudinal compressive force of freight and work vehicles. The endurable LCF is a vehicle design parameter used to estimate derailment risk when vehicles are subjected to longitudinal compressive forces under operating conditions (e.g., braking, propelling, train composition, track layout). EN 15839:2024 supersedes the 2012/A1:2015 edition and was prepared to harmonize acceptance methods across Europe.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and vehicle types covered: single wagons, permanently coupled units (standard ends, diagonal buffers, bar couplers), articulated units, 3-axle bogies, low-floor multi-axle wagons, vehicles with centre couplers, and railbound construction & maintenance machines (EN 14033-1:2017). Excluded: locomotives and passenger rolling stock or vehicles operated only in passenger trains.
- Assessment methods: uniform procedures to determine endurable LCF using practical testing (propelling tests) and validated simulation methods.
- Testing: normative requirements and conditions for propelling tests are specified (normative Annex B) including test track, test train configurations, measurements, evaluation and documentation.
- Simulation: informative Annex E provides state-of-the-art modelling, validation and performance requirements for using simulations as proof of endurable LCF.
- High-capacity trains: optional/required assessments linked to the IRS 40421 methodology (informative Annex F and G).
- Dispensation rules: conditions where assessment may be waived for certain vehicle designs or operating practices (informative Annex C, G).
- Gauge limitation: principal application for standard gauge (1 435 mm); other gauges are not fully covered.
Practical applications
- Ensures running safety against derailment due to compressive longitudinal forces.
- Used for vehicle type acceptance, design verification, and operational approval when vehicles operate in high LCF environments (e.g., heavy freight, specific braking modes, mixed train configurations).
- Supports decisions on operational restrictions, acceptance tests, or design modifications.
Who uses this standard
- Rolling stock manufacturers and designers (to demonstrate LCF performance)
- Certification & vehicle acceptance bodies
- Test laboratories and simulation experts
- Railway operators and infrastructure managers (for operational approval and risk assessment)
- Safety assessors and maintenance organisations for freight and work vehicles
Related standards
- UIC 530-2 (practical test basis referenced)
- IRS 40421 (high-capacity train methodology)
- EN 14033-1:2017 (railbound construction/maintenance machines)
- EN 14363:2016+A2:2022 (running dynamics - related test methods)
Keywords: EN 15839:2024, longitudinal compressive force, LCF, running safety, railway vehicle testing, simulation, CEN, vehicle acceptance.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 26-Jun-2019
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 15827:2025 - Railway applications - System Engineering requirements for bogies and running gear - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 21-May-2025
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard
Bureau Veritas Railway Certification
Railway and transportation certification.
Deutsch Quality Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. (DQS India)
Subsidiary of DQS Holding GmbH, founding member of IQNet. CDSCO Notified Body.
Excellence Ireland Quality Association (EIQA)
Irish quality certification organization.
Sponsored listings
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 15839:2024 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Railway applications - Testing and simulation for the acceptance of running characteristics of railway vehicles - Running safety under longitudinal compressive force". This standard covers: This document defines the assessment of endurable longitudinal compressive force (LCF) of a vehicle. The endurable longitudinal compressive force is a parameter depending on the vehicle design. It is used to estimate the risk of derailment of a vehicle as a result of being subjected to longitudinal compressive force, under operating conditions. NOTE 1 As operating conditions can vary in several aspects (infrastructure, train configurations etc.), this document defines uniform assessments of endurable longitudinal compressive force per vehicle in specific operating conditions. The main assessment of endurable longitudinal compressive force for conventional trains is derived from UIC 530-2:2011, which is based on practical tests performed in ERRI-B12. Assessments of endurable longitudinal compressive force for high-capacity trains in this document are required by the methodology of IRS 40421. IRS 40421 assesses operational train parameters. This document applies to the following types of vehicles: - single wagons; - permanently coupled units with standard ends between the vehicles; - permanently coupled units with diagonal buffers and screw couplers between the vehicles; - permanently coupled units with a bar coupler between the vehicles; - articulated units with 2-axle bogies; - wagons with 3-axle bogies; - low-floor wagons with eight or more axles (e.g. rolling road wagon); - vehicles with centre couplers; - railbound construction and maintenance machines as defined in EN 14033-1:2017. NOTE 2 This document defines the acceptance process to be followed by vehicles that are operated in a way that high longitudinal compressive force occur in the trains due to their operational environment (e.g. train composition, brake mode, track layout). The following vehicles are not in the scope of this document: - locomotives and passenger rolling stocks; - vehicles that are only operated in passenger trains. NOTE 3 Locomotives, passenger rolling stocks and vehicles operated in passenger trains only are not in the scope of this document as they either are subject to low longitudinal compressive force in operation or have sufficient endurable longitudinal compressive force due to their axle load. Acceptance criteria and test conditions as well as conditions for simulation are defined in this document. Conditions for dispensation of the assessment of the endurable longitudinal compressive force are also defined in this document. This document applies principally to vehicles which operate without restrictions on tracks with a gauge of 1 435 mm in Europe. NOTE 4 The influence on railway systems using other gauges is not sufficiently understood to extend the scope of this document to gauges other than 1 435 mm. NOTE 5 For wagons with centre couplers, a need for assessment of derailment risk due to Longitudinal Forces on other gauges (1 524 mm, 1 600 mm, 1 668 mm) has been expressed. The influence on railway systems using other gauges is not sufficiently understood. This document only introduces some notions to assess it independently from the gauge.
This document defines the assessment of endurable longitudinal compressive force (LCF) of a vehicle. The endurable longitudinal compressive force is a parameter depending on the vehicle design. It is used to estimate the risk of derailment of a vehicle as a result of being subjected to longitudinal compressive force, under operating conditions. NOTE 1 As operating conditions can vary in several aspects (infrastructure, train configurations etc.), this document defines uniform assessments of endurable longitudinal compressive force per vehicle in specific operating conditions. The main assessment of endurable longitudinal compressive force for conventional trains is derived from UIC 530-2:2011, which is based on practical tests performed in ERRI-B12. Assessments of endurable longitudinal compressive force for high-capacity trains in this document are required by the methodology of IRS 40421. IRS 40421 assesses operational train parameters. This document applies to the following types of vehicles: - single wagons; - permanently coupled units with standard ends between the vehicles; - permanently coupled units with diagonal buffers and screw couplers between the vehicles; - permanently coupled units with a bar coupler between the vehicles; - articulated units with 2-axle bogies; - wagons with 3-axle bogies; - low-floor wagons with eight or more axles (e.g. rolling road wagon); - vehicles with centre couplers; - railbound construction and maintenance machines as defined in EN 14033-1:2017. NOTE 2 This document defines the acceptance process to be followed by vehicles that are operated in a way that high longitudinal compressive force occur in the trains due to their operational environment (e.g. train composition, brake mode, track layout). The following vehicles are not in the scope of this document: - locomotives and passenger rolling stocks; - vehicles that are only operated in passenger trains. NOTE 3 Locomotives, passenger rolling stocks and vehicles operated in passenger trains only are not in the scope of this document as they either are subject to low longitudinal compressive force in operation or have sufficient endurable longitudinal compressive force due to their axle load. Acceptance criteria and test conditions as well as conditions for simulation are defined in this document. Conditions for dispensation of the assessment of the endurable longitudinal compressive force are also defined in this document. This document applies principally to vehicles which operate without restrictions on tracks with a gauge of 1 435 mm in Europe. NOTE 4 The influence on railway systems using other gauges is not sufficiently understood to extend the scope of this document to gauges other than 1 435 mm. NOTE 5 For wagons with centre couplers, a need for assessment of derailment risk due to Longitudinal Forces on other gauges (1 524 mm, 1 600 mm, 1 668 mm) has been expressed. The influence on railway systems using other gauges is not sufficiently understood. This document only introduces some notions to assess it independently from the gauge.
EN 15839:2024 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 45.060.20 - Trailing stock. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 15839:2024 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 15839:2012+A1:2015, EN 16235:2023, EN 15566:2022, EN 15551:2022, EN 17343:2023, EN 14033-1:2017, EN 14363:2016, EN 17069-1:2019, EN 14363:2016+A1:2018, EN 15827:2025, EN 15839:2024/prA1. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 15839:2024 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2008/57/EC, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU; Standardization Mandates: M/483, M/591. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
EN 15839:2024 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.