GOST R 55820-2013 PDF

Full title and description

ГОСТ Р 55820-2013 — «Рельсы железнодорожные остряковые. Технические условия» / GOST R 55820-2013 — "Switch and crossing rails. Specifications". The document is the Russian national standard that specifies technical requirements for switch (point) and crossing rails used in mainline and non-mainline broad‑gauge track construction and manufacture.

Abstract

GOST R 55820-2013 sets requirements for geometry (profiles and tolerances), chemical composition and mechanical properties of steels, manufacturing and heat‑treatment regimes, nondestructive and dimensional inspection, acceptance criteria, marking, packaging and documentation for switch and crossing rails. It includes provisions for factory inspection, testing methods and allowable deviations to ensure safe, durable turnout components.

General information

• Status: Active / действующий (national standard in force, with recorded amendments).
• Publication date: Introduced (date of entry into force) 01 July 2014; catalog republication/issue entry shown by distributors 01 August 2017.
• Publisher: National standard of the Russian Federation — Federal Agency on Technical Regulating and Metrology (Rosstandart) / national GOST system.
• ICS / categories: Railway engineering — ICS 45.060 (railway rolling stock) / OKC 45.060; OKP classification 09 2100 (railway products/components).
• Edition / version: GOST R 55820-2013 (first issue 2013/2014) with Amendments noted in official records (Amend. No.1, No.2 as recorded in updates).
• Number of pages: 83–84 pages (page count varies slightly between published files and distributors' catalogues).

Catalog and registry entries confirm the above bibliographic details and show the standard implemented with later amendments and distribution by multiple standards suppliers.

Scope

The standard applies to switch and crossing rails intended for manufacture of turnout and crossing components for broad‑gauge railway track (mainline and non‑mainline). It defines which rail types and profiles are covered, and establishes mandatory technical and acceptance requirements for chemical, metallurgical and dimensional characteristics, non‑destructive testing and marking necessary for safe in‑service performance. The standard is intended to be used by rail producers, suppliers and quality/inspection laboratories responsible for turnout components.

Key topics and requirements

• Profile definitions and dimensional tolerances for switch and crossing rail sections (various asymmetric and symmetric profiles used in turnouts).
• Steel grades, chemical composition limits and requirements for cleanliness and dephosphorization.
• Mechanical property requirements (tensile strength, hardness, impact resistance) including provisions for heat‑treated head steels.
• Manufacturing and heat‑treatment process controls (quenching/tempering where required) and factory production control requirements.
• Non‑destructive testing: ultrasonic, magnetic particle and visual inspections; acceptance criteria for internal and surface defects.
• Dimensional inspection procedures, straightness and twist limits, and allowable machining/processing tolerances.
• Marking, packing, certification and traceability requirements for delivered rails.
• Acceptance sampling, test methods and documentation required for delivery and contract acceptance.

Typical use and users

This standard is used by rail steel mills and producers of switch & crossing rails, turnout component manufacturers, railway infrastructure owners and maintainers, procurement and quality assurance teams, testing and inspection laboratories, and regulatory bodies responsible for track safety. It supports specification and acceptance of rails for new build, renewal and heavy‑wear turnout applications.

Related standards

Standards commonly referenced alongside or used in parallel with GOST R 55820-2013 include national and international rail specifications such as GOST R 51685 (rail general specifications), European EN 13674 (rail and switch/crossing rail requirements), AREMA and UIC guidance for turnout components, and testing standards for ultrasonic and other NDT methods. Equipment and NDT suppliers often cite GOST R 55820-2013 together with GOST R 51685 when describing inspection regimes.

Keywords

switch rails; crossing rails; turnout rails; switch and crossing; turnout components; rail profiles; rail steel; specifications; GOST R; nondestructive testing; ultrasonic inspection; rail acceptance criteria.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: GOST R 55820-2013 is the Russian national standard that defines technical specifications and acceptance requirements for switch (point) and crossing rails used in railway turnouts. It covers material, geometry, manufacturing and testing requirements.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers rail profiles and tolerances, chemical and mechanical properties of rail steels (including heat‑treated grades), manufacturing and quality‑control requirements, non‑destructive and dimensional inspection methods, acceptance criteria, marking, packaging and documentation required for delivery and use in turnout assemblies.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Rail manufacturers, turnout component producers, railway infrastructure owners and maintainers, procurement and QA/QC teams, and independent testing laboratories use the standard to specify, produce and accept switch and crossing rails.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Registry and seller catalog entries list GOST R 55820-2013 as an active national standard with recorded amendments; its entry into force is recorded as 01 July 2014 and distributor catalogs show a 2017 publication/issue entry. Users should check the national registry or Rosstandart catalog for the latest amendment history and current status before procurement.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It forms part of Russia’s suite of rail and railway product standards and is used alongside general rail standards (e.g., GOST R 51685 and other GOST/technical documents) and international standards for rails and turnout components (EN, UIC, AREMA) when specifying materials and inspection regimes.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Switch rails, crossing rails, turnout rails, rail profiles, rail steel grades, NDT, ultrasonic testing, dimensions, acceptance criteria, GOST R 55820-2013.