What is RID in railway transport?

RID stands for the 'Regulation concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail.' It is the international standard governing the safe transport of hazardous materials by train across Europe and beyond.

What do the numbers on the orange hazardous plate mean?

The orange plate features two numbers. The top number (Hazard Identification Number) indicates the nature of the danger (e.g., flammability, toxicity), while the bottom number (UN Number) identifies the specific substance.

Are there special shunting rules for dangerous goods?

Yes. Many dangerous goods wagons are marked with specific instructions prohibiting 'hump shunting' or 'loose shunting' to avoid high-impact collisions that could rupture the tanks or containers.

High Risk, High Regulation: The Guide to Dangerous Goods by Rail

Handle with care! Unlock the strict protocols for transporting Dangerous Goods by rail. Master RID regulations, UN numbers, and critical Hazmat safety labeling.

December 11, 2025 7:36 am

What are Dangerous Goods?

Dangerous Goods (often referred to as Hazmat) are substances or articles that pose a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment during transport. In the railway sector, moving these materials requires rigorous adherence to international safety standards to prevent catastrophic accidents like leaks, fires, or explosions. Common examples include crude oil, compressed gases, acids, and radioactive materials.

The Rule of Law: RID

In Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa, the transport of dangerous goods by rail is governed by the RID (Regulation concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail). Unlike general freight, every step of the process—from packaging and labeling to shunting and unloading—is dictated by the RID codes to ensure interoperability and safety across borders.

Identification: UN Numbers and Orange Plates

Emergency responders must identify hazards instantly. Rail wagons carrying dangerous goods are marked with distinctive orange plates and placards:

UN Number (Bottom of plate): A four-digit number assigned by the United Nations that identifies the specific substance (e.g., 1203 for Petrol).
Hazard Identification Number (Top of plate): Also known as the Kemler Code, this 2- or 3-digit number indicates the type of danger (e.g., ’33’ for highly flammable liquid).
Danger Labels: Diamond-shaped placards indicating the class of danger (e.g., Flammable, Toxic, Corrosive).

Comparison: General Freight vs. Dangerous Goods

Feature	General Freight	Dangerous Goods
Regulation	Standard Commercial Law	Strict RID / ADR Regulations
Documentation	Waybill / Consignment Note	Waybill + Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Staff Requirements	Standard Training	Specialized Hazmat Training + DGSA
Shunting Restrictions	Minimal (Hump shunting allowed)	Strict (Hump shunting often banned)
Wagon Marking	Standard Codes	Orange Plates & Hazard Diamonds

Operational Restrictions

Transporting dangerous goods imposes operational limits. Certain classes of Hazmat cannot be loose-shunted or passed over a hump in a classification yard due to the risk of impact. Additionally, “Barrier Wagons” (empty buffer wagons) are often required to separate locomotives or wagons carrying incompatible goods (like explosives and flammables) to prevent chain reactions in case of an accident.