In accordance with the work plan for 2022, from 25 to 27 January 2022, the 60th meeting of the OSJD-ERA Contact Group was held in the format of a videoconference on the subject “Collaboration between ERA and OSJD on the analysis of the relationship between 1520-mm/1524-mm and 1435-mm rail systems of EU and non-EU states”.

Mirosław Antonowicz, Chairman of the OSJD Committee, and Josef Doppelbauer, Executive Director of ERA, addressed the meeting participants with their welcoming speeches.

The meeting was opened and moderated by Shukhrat Kayumkhodjaev, Chairman of the OSJD Commission on Transport Policy and Development Strategy, who chaired the meeting from the OSJD side, and Natalya Skachenko, Project Expert of the International Cooperation Group of the ERA Executive Office and Communications Department, who co-chaired the meeting from the ERA side.

During the meeting, the following agenda items were considered:

- progress of work on updating the analysis of the subsystems “Locomotives and multi-unit rolling stock” and “Passenger coaches”;

- progress of work on updating the analysis of the subsystem “Infrastructure. Tracks and track facilities”;

- exchange of relevant information and practical experience in order to coordinate measures for maintaining and improving the existing technical and operational compatibility and unimpeded international railway traffic (including cross-border traffic and traffic safety), etc.

When considering the subject “Updating the analysis of subsystems ‘Locomotives and multi- unit rolling stock’ and ‘Passenger coaches’”, clarifications and additions were received from Georgia and Ukraine regarding the group of main parameters 4.2.2 related to the design and mechanical equipment. Meanwhile, works were continued on this group of basic parameters and the template for the next group of basic parameters “Impact on the track and on the rolling stock gauge”.

As a result of the discussion of this agenda item, it was decided to translate the relevant technical specifications for interoperability (TSI) in terms of the main parameters “Impact on the track and on the rolling stock gauge”, to submit to the participants of the OSJD-ERA Contact Group an updated document with draft conclusions on the main parameters “Design and mechanical equipment”, to prepare and send to the participants of the OSJD-ERA Contact Group a template for the next group of main parameters “Impact on the track and on the rolling stock gauge”.

When discussing the subject “Updating the analysis of subsystems ‘Locomotives and multi- unit rolling stock’ and ‘Passenger coaches’”, the information was presented on the sections “Categories of railway lines”, “Line parameters”, “Track parameters” of the analysis’ working paper with the corresponding initial draft conclusions.

During the meeting, a number of clarifications were made to the text and version 04 of the analysis’ working paper was agreed.

The meeting participants invited:

- all the participants of the OSJD-ERA Contact Group to check and, if necessary, supplement or clarify version 04 of the analysis’ working paper and send relevant comments and proposals regarding the sections “Categories of railway lines”, “Line parameters” and “Track parameters”;

- all the participants of the OSJD-ERA Contact Group to supplement version 04 of the analysis’ working paper on the section “Turnout switches and railway crossings” and submit the relevant information;

- the ERA to provide the members of the Contact Group with a summarised information and draft conclusions on these sections.

During the meeting, presentations were made on the following subjects:

- “Year of ecology held at the RZD OJSC” (by RZD OJSC);

- “Automatic gauge changing systems – progress of work” (PKP JSC);

- “Connecting Europe Express: laboratory on wheels in the Single European Railway Area” (DG MOVE).

Besides, the ERA representatives informed about the webinars held on the following subjects: “What’s new in 2022” (27.01.2022), “TSI 2022 revision package – a tool to ensure the sustainable operation of railways” (23.02.2022), “European data for railways – a project of interconnected data” (28.10.2021).

The meeting participants agreed on the provisional agenda for the 61st meeting of the Contact Group as follows:

- “Updating the analysis of subsystems ‘Locomotives and multi-unit rolling stock’ and ‘Passenger coaches’”;

- “Updating the analysis of the subsystem “Infrastructure. Tracks and track facilities”;

- exchange of relevant information and practical experience in order to coordinate measures for maintaining and improving the existing technical and operational compatibility and unhindered international railway traffic (including cross-border traffic and traffic safety).