How do trackworkers communicate with radios?

[thenorthern]

While I was passing some track workers earlier today I wondered how they communicate with each other? Do they still use basic simplex analogue radios or have they migrated over to the GSM-R system like most of the railways have?

I am aware that wired telephones are still used somewhat by Network Rail.

I am aware that some of this information may not be public knowledge.

 

[High Dyke]

If it's separate work groups, then usually by normal mobile phone, no special equipment.

On major projects some staff may be supplied with normal two-way radios.

 

[Supercoss]

In poor mobile coverage areas or in Tunnels hand held GSM-R handsets are used as the safety controller (coss) is required to be contactable by the signaller at all times / if a line blockage has been taken/

 

[20200506]

This did come up last month in the latest report from the RAIB:

"Two track workers struck by a wagon being propelled by a rail crane at Port Glasgow":

Report 03/2026: Two track workers struck by a wagon being propelled by a rail crane at Port Glasgow

Two track workers struck by a wagon being propelled by a rail crane at Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, 15 March 2025.

www.gov.uk

The radio system used on the rail crane was not compliant with Network
Rail’s requirement for on-track machines to use duplex communications
systems. This is a possible underlying factor.

 

[Annetts key]

In the past, S&T staff used radios that operated in one of the special frequency bands allocated to the railway. Station staff use the same radios so there could be some overhearing of what they were saying.

S&T fault teams were issued with a NRN (railway specific National Radio Network) handset. As were supervisors and managers.

Most other staff were not provided with anything, so had to use whatever fixed lineside telephones that they could find. For planned engineering works, normally part of the arrangements was for the S&T to provide a temporary fixed line telephone at a specified location. That normally meant running lots of temporary cables.

For major projects, where mobile communications were needed, the railway may hire in a commercial radio communications system.

Nowadays, for routine maintenance work, all Network Rail team leaders (and many other trackside staff) are issued with a mobile telephone. As said above, if the mobile signal is poor, GSM-R may be used in addition. So the provision of temporary fixed line telephones is now unusual.