UIC Leaflet 565-2: Specialized Passenger Coaches – Technical Requirements

What is UIC Leaflet 565-2?

UIC Leaflet 565-2 is a specific technical standard titled “Special-purpose coaches for international traffic – Technical requirements.” While UIC 560 and 564 cover the general design of standard Passenger Coaches, the 565-2 leaflet focuses on vehicles that serve non-standard functions within a train consist.

These vehicles are essential for long-distance International Traffic and must adhere to strict RIC (Regolamento Internazionale Carrozze) regulations. The leaflet ensures that specialized equipment—such as kitchen power systems or couchette conversion mechanisms—operates safely and is compatible with the Infrastructure Management standards of various national networks.

Categories of Specialized Coaches

UIC 565-2 categorizes and defines the unique requirements for several types of Rolling Stock:

• Couchette Cars: Standards for the conversion of seats into berths, including the safety of ladder attachments and the fire resistance of bedding materials.
• Dining and Bistro Cars: Technical specifications for the high-voltage power intake required for industrial kitchens and the waste-water management systems.
• Luggage and Van Coaches: Requirements for loading door dimensions, floor strength for heavy parcels, and secure areas for the transport of valuable goods or bicycles.
• Sleeper Coaches: Specific sound insulation and climate control parameters to ensure passenger comfort during overnight journeys.

Technical and Operational Requirements

To maintain Interoperability, the leaflet mandates specific Technical Delivery Conditions:

• Power Supply Integration: Specialized cars often have higher energy demands. UIC 565-2 defines how these cars must draw power from the “Train Bus” without causing voltage drops that affect the Brake Application or lighting in other coaches.
• Weight Distribution: Because dining cars carry heavy kitchen equipment and water tanks, the leaflet specifies center-of-gravity limits to ensure stability at high speeds.
• Accessibility: Requirements for corridors and doorways to ensure that staff and passengers can move between specialized cars and standard coaches safely.

Operational Safety and Fire Protection

Specialized cars often present higher risks (e.g., cooking surfaces in dining cars). UIC 565-2 aligns with Fire Protection standards (like UIC 564-2) to mandate:

• Automatic Cut-offs: Systems that disconnect kitchen power or gas supplies in the event of an emergency or a Loss of Shunt.
• Emergency Exits: Specific placement of exits in sleeper and couchette cars where passengers may be disoriented or sleeping.

Comparison: Standard Coach vs. Special-Purpose Coach (UIC 565-2)