EN 15020:2022+A1:2026
(Main + Amendment)Railway applications - Rescue coupler - Performance requirements, specific interface geometry and test methods
Railway applications - Rescue coupler - Performance requirements, specific interface geometry and test methods
This document specifies the requirements for the rescue coupler for train sets compliant with the Technical Specification for Interoperability Locomotives and Passenger rolling stock (TSI Loc & Pas).
This document defines the rescue coupler foreseen to connect rescue vehicle equipped with draw hook, according to EN 15566 together with the train to be rescued equipped with Type 10 automatic coupler according to EN 16019.
Bahnanwendungen - Abschleppkupplung - Leistungsanforderungen, spezifische Schnittstellengeometrie und Prüfverfahren
Dieses Dokument legt die Anforderungen und Prüfungen an die Abschleppkupplung fest, die dafür vorgesehen ist, das Abschleppfahrzeug mittels eines Zughakens nach EN 15566:2022, der am Kopfstück nach EN 16839:2022+A1:2025 angebracht ist, mit der automatischen Kupplung vom Typ 10 nach EN 16019:2014 des abzuschleppenden Zuges zu verbinden.
Die Anforderungen an die Kupplungsschnittstellen von Endkupplungen sind in EN 16019:2014 festgelegt.
Applications ferroviaires - Attelage de secours - Exigences concernant la performance, la géometrie des interfaces et les methodes d'essai
Le présent document spécifie les exigences concernant les attelages de secours des rames couvertes par la Spécification technique d'interopérabilité relative aux locomotives et au matériel roulant destiné au transport de passagers (STI Loc & Pas).
Le présent document définit les attelages de secours destinés à raccorder un véhicule de secours équipé d'un crochet d'attelage conforme à l’EN 15566:2022 et selon un agencement des traverses de tête conforme à l’EN 16839:2022, au train secouru équipé d'un attelage automatique de Type 10 conforme à l'EN 16019:2014.
Les dispositions qui vont au-delà du domaine d'application du présent document sont définies dans la spécification technique. La spécification technique n'est pas un document obligatoire.
Le présent document couvre les exigences et les essais applicables aux attelages de secours.
Les exigences relatives aux interfaces d'accouplement des attelages d'extrémité sont définies dans l'EN 16019:2014.
Železniške naprave - Vlečna spenjača - Zahteve za izdelavo, geometrija vmesnika in preskusne metode (vključno z dopolnilom A1)
Ta dokument določa zahteve za reševalno sklopko za vlakovne komplete, skladne s Tehnično specifikacijo za interoperabilnost lokomotiv in potniških vozil (TSI Loc & Pas).
Ta dokument opredeljuje reševalno sklopko, predvideno za povezavo reševalnega vozila, opremljenega z vlečno kljuko v skladu z EN 15566, skupaj z vlakom, ki ga je treba rešiti, opremljenim z avtomatsko sklopko tipa 10 v skladu z EN 16019.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 12-May-2026
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 256 - Railway applications
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 256/WG 33 - Coupling devices
- Current Stage
- 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
- Start Date
- 13-May-2026
- Completion Date
- 13-May-2026
Relations
- Effective Date
- 25-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 04-Mar-2026
- Effective Date
- 04-Mar-2026
- Effective Date
- 04-Mar-2026
- Effective Date
- 04-Mar-2026
- Effective Date
- 04-Mar-2026
Overview
EN 15020:2022+A1:2026 is a European standard published by CEN, titled "Railway applications - Rescue coupler - Performance requirements, specific interface geometry and test methods." This standard defines requirements for rescue couplers designed for use with train sets conforming to the Technical Specification for Interoperability for Locomotives and Passenger rolling stock (TSI Loc & Pas). The document clarifies the performance expectations, geometric interfaces, and testing protocols for rescue couplers intended to connect a rescue vehicle, equipped with a compliant draw hook, to a train equipped with a Type 10 automatic coupler.
The focus of this standard is to ensure safe, efficient, and standardized recovery operations in European railway networks, supporting interoperability and reliability in rescue scenarios.
Key Topics
Performance requirements for rescue couplers:
- Mechanical properties, including tensile and compressive load capacities.
- Coupler mass limit for ease of handling.
- Dimensional specifications for interoperability.
Specific interface geometry:
- Compatibility of the rescue coupler with draw hooks (EN 15566) and automatic couplers (EN 16019).
- Interface and clearance guidelines to ensure proper attachment and operation.
- Design requirements to facilitate vertical and angular adjustments during rescue operations.
Test methods:
- Type tests, such as static load tests and verification of coupling/uncoupling functions.
- Routine tests, including dimensional checks, assembly verification, and pneumatic leak tests.
- Criteria for test acceptance to ensure operational safety and durability.
Operational and installation requirements:
- No need for special tools during mounting.
- Coupler to be manageable by a maximum of two persons.
- Secure fixing to prevent movement during operation.
- Safe pneumatic and mechanical coupling procedures.
Applications
Practical uses of EN 15020:2022+A1:2026 include:
- Railway emergency and recovery operations: Ensures that rescue vehicles can reliably couple to and haul failed or immobilized trains, regardless of differing coupler technologies.
- Interoperability across European networks: Standardizes rescue coupler specifications to enable consistent operation between various train sets and rescue equipment.
- Maintenance and safety assurance: Provides guidelines for testing and inspecting rescue couplers, supporting ongoing fleet reliability and compliance.
- Rolling stock design and procurement: Assists manufacturers and operators in specifying and sourcing compliant rescue coupler systems for new and existing trains.
By following EN 15020, rail operators and manufacturers benefit from reduced risks during emergency rescues, improved operational flexibility, and harmonized safety practices.
Related Standards
EN 15020:2022+A1:2026 references and interfaces with several key railway standards:
- EN 15566: Requirements for draw gear and screw coupling.
- EN 16019: Specifications for Type 10 automatic couplers and their interface geometry.
- EN 15807: Standards for pneumatic half couplings.
- EN 16839: Headstock layout standards for rolling stock.
- EN 10204, EN 12663-1: Inspection and structural requirements for railway vehicle bodies.
- EN 15085 series: Welding and production requirements for railway vehicles and components.
International compatibility: The standard aligns with TSI Loc & Pas, and references existing IEC and ISO terminology databases for consistency in technical language.
Keywords: EN 15020, rescue coupler, railway standard, performance requirements, interface geometry, test methods, railway interoperability, CEN, train rescue, rolling stock emergency, mechanical coupling, pneumatic coupling, European railway standards.
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 15020:2022+A1:2026 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Railway applications - Rescue coupler - Performance requirements, specific interface geometry and test methods". This standard covers: This document specifies the requirements for the rescue coupler for train sets compliant with the Technical Specification for Interoperability Locomotives and Passenger rolling stock (TSI Loc & Pas). This document defines the rescue coupler foreseen to connect rescue vehicle equipped with draw hook, according to EN 15566 together with the train to be rescued equipped with Type 10 automatic coupler according to EN 16019.
This document specifies the requirements for the rescue coupler for train sets compliant with the Technical Specification for Interoperability Locomotives and Passenger rolling stock (TSI Loc & Pas). This document defines the rescue coupler foreseen to connect rescue vehicle equipped with draw hook, according to EN 15566 together with the train to be rescued equipped with Type 10 automatic coupler according to EN 16019.
EN 15020:2022+A1:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 45.060.01 - Railway rolling stock in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 15020:2022+A1:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 15020:2022, EN 16019:2014, EN 16185-1:2014+A1:2020, EN 16185-1:2014, EN 15734-1:2010, EN 15734-1:2010+A1:2021. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 15020:2022+A1:2026 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2016/797/EU; Standardization Mandates: 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 15020:2022+A1:2026 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.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2026
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 15020:2022
Železniške naprave - Vlečna spenjača - Zahteve za izdelavo, geometrija vmesnika
in preskusne metode (vključno z dopolnilom A1)
Railway applications - Rescue coupler - Performance requirements, specific interface
geometry and test methods
Bahnanwendungen - Abschleppkupplung - Leistungsanforderungen, spezifische
Schnittstellengeometrie und Prüfverfahren
Applications ferroviaires - Attelage de secours - Exigences concernant la performance, la
géometrie des interfaces et les methodes d'essai
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 15020:2022+A1:2026
ICS:
45.060.10 Vlečna vozila Tractive stock
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EN 15020:2022+A1
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
May 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 45.060.01 Supersedes EN 15020:2022
English Version
Railway applications - Rescue coupler - Performance
requirements, specific interface geometry and test
methods
Applications ferroviaires - Attelage de secours - Bahnanwendungen - Abschleppkupplung -
Exigences concernant la performance, la géometrie des Leistungsanforderungen, spezifische
interfaces et les methodes d'essai Schnittstellengeometrie und Prüfverfahren
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 10 July 2022 and includes Amendment 1 approved by CEN on 20 March 2026.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 15020:2022+A1:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Product requirements . 6
4.1 General . 6
4.1.1 Metallic products . 6
4.1.2 Non-metallic products . 6
4.2 Rescue coupler characteristics . 7
4.2.1 Mechanical requirements . 7
4.2.2 Pneumatic requirements. 7
4.3 Interface of rescue coupler to rescue vehicle . 7
4.4 Requirements linked to the fitting procedure . 8
4.5 Requirements linked to the coupling and uncoupling conditions . 8
4.5.1 Mechanical coupling . 8
4.5.2 Pneumatic coupling . 8
4.6 Requirements linked to the operating conditions . 8
4.7 Uncoupling conditions . 9
5 Tests . 11
5.1 Type tests . 11
5.1.1 General . 11
5.1.2 Static test . 11
5.1.3 Coupling and uncoupling . 12
5.2 Routine tests . 12
Annex A (normative) Rescue coupler . 13
A.1 General . 13
A.2 Special components to be checked . 15
Bibliography . 20
European foreword
This document (EN 15020:2022+A1:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 256
“Railway applications”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by November 2026, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by November 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes !EN 15020:2022".
This document includes Amendment 1 approved by CEN on 20 March 2026.
The start and finish of text introduced or altered by amendment is indicated in the text by tags !".
The main modifications [in EN 15020:2022 compared] to EN 15020:2006+A1:2010 are:
a) Modifications on Scope;
b) Verifying of Clause 2 “Normative references”;
c) Modification in Clause 3 “Terms and definitions”, in particular 3.1 “rescue coupler”;
d) Clause 4 completely revised;
e) Change of all Figures;
f) Annex A “Automatic coupler” is deleted and referred to in EN 16019:2014;
g) Annex C “Characteristics of the rescue vehicle” is deleted and reffered to in EN 16839:2022;
h) Annex D “Air pipe coupling heads” is deleted and referred to in EN 15807:2021;
i) Extension of the components to be dimensionally checked – New Figures A.5 to A.10;
j) Adaptation of Annex ZA to Directive 2016/797;
k) editorially revised.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
!deleted text"
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
1 Scope
!This document defines the requirements and tests on the rescue coupler foreseen to connect a
rescue vehicle equipped with a draw hook, according to EN 15566:2022 and a headstock layout
according to EN 16839:2022+A1:2025 together with the train to be rescued equipped with a Type 10
automatic coupler according to EN 16019:2014.
The requirements on coupling interfaces of end couplers are defined in EN 16019:2014."
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 10204:2004, Metallic products — Types of inspection documents
EN 12663-1:2010+A1:2014, Railway applications — Structural requirements of railway vehicle bodies —
Part 1: Locomotives and passenger rolling stock (and alternative method for freight wagons)
!EN 15085-1:2023, Railway applications — Welding of railway vehicles and components — Part 1:
General
EN 15085-2:2020+A2:2025, Railway applications — Welding of railway vehicles and components — Part
2: Requirements for welding manufacturer
EN 15085-3:2022+A1:2023, Railway applications — Welding of railway vehicles and components — Part
3: Design requirements
EN 15085-4:2023, Railway applications — Welding of railway vehicles and components — Part 4:
Production requirements
EN 15085-5:2023, Railway applications — Welding of railway vehicles and components — Part 5:
Inspection, testing and documentation
EN 15085-6:2022, Railway applications — Welding of railway vehicles and components — Part 6:
Maintenance welding requirements"
EN 15566:2022, Railway applications — Railway rolling stock — Draw gear and screw coupling
EN 15807:2021, Railway applications — Pneumatic half couplings
EN 16019:2014, Railway applications — Automatic coupler — Performance requirements, specific
interface geometry and test method
EN 16839:2022, Railway applications — Rolling stock — Head stock layout
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document the terms and definitions given in EN 16019:2014, EN 15807:2021
and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp.
3.1
rescue coupler
special device that enables hauling and towing of a failed train unit or train set by another vehicle that is
equipped with different coupling systems
3.2
rescue vehicle
vehicle able to rescue a failed train unit or train set
3.3
draw hook
part of a conventional and mechanical manual coupling system
Note 1 to entry: See also EN 15566:2022.
3.4
air pipe
main reservoir pipe or brake pipe
Note 1 to entry: See also EN 14478:2017.
3.5
Technical Specification
document describing specific parameters and/or product requirements as an addition to the
requirements of this document
4 Product requirements
4.1 General
4.1.1 Metallic products
For the materials used for the manufacture of the rescue coupler the inspection documents type 3.1 or
type 3.2 according to EN 10204:2004 shall be available. This shall contain the actual chemical
composition as well as the test results of tens
...