AREMA publishes standards and best practices for railway engineering.
Manual for Railway Engineering
The Manual for Railway Engineering (MRE) is an annual publication released every April. The Manual consists of more than 4000 pages of railway engineering reference material, the recommended practices for the industry. It contains principles, data, specifications, plans and economics pertaining to the engineering, design and construction of the fixed plant of railways (except signals and communications), and allied services and facilities. The material is developed by AREMA technical committees and is published as a guide to railways in establishing their individual policies and practices relative to the subjects, activities and facilities covered in the Manual, with the aim of assisting them to engineer and construct a railway plant which will have inherent qualities of safe and ecomonical operation as well as low maintenance cost. Chapters are grouped into four general categories, each in a separate volume: Track * Structures * Infrastructure and Passenger * Systems Management.
New Chapter in 2010 Edition: Chapter 13 - Environmental!
Communications & Signals Manual
There are many Revised Manual Parts in the 2010 Edition of the Manual. The Revised Parts also features a new look with an updated font. The Communications & Signals Manual is a manual of recommended practice written by AREMA technical committees in the interest of establishing uniformity, promoting safety or efficiency and economy.
Portfolio of Track Work Plans
The Portfolio of Track Work Plans consists of plans and specifications that relate to the design, details, materials and workmanship for switches, frogs, turnouts & crossovers, crossings, rails and other special trackwork. This is a companion volume to the Manual for Railway Engineering.
2010 Edition is now available.
Practical Guide to Railway Engineering
Written by a group of over 50 railroad professionals, representing over 1200 years of experience, the Practical Guide to Railway Engineering may be the most useful tool since the spike maul. Whether you’re new to the industry or a long-time contributor who simply wishes to learn more, this book offers in-depth coverage of railway fundamentals and serves as an excellent reference.
Bridge Inspection Handbook
The AREMA Bridge Inspection Handbook© provides a comprehensive source of information and criteria for bridge inspections for engineers engaged in the assessment of railway bridges. This Handbook is published as a guide to establishing policies and practices relative to bridge inspection. It covers such topics as confined spaces, site conditions, loads & forces, nomenclature, bridge decks, timber, concrete & steel bridges, movable bridges, tunnel and culvert inspections, and emergency & post-earthquake inspections. Also included are many color photographed examples in several chapters, as well as a glossary in the back of the book.