This engineering metric determines whether a specific locomotive or loaded freight car can safely travel over a section of track. It is calculated by dividing the total gross weight of the vehicle by its number of axles. Exceeding the permitted limit can crush ballast, snap rails, or collapse bridges.
Heard on the job
We can't route those new six-axle units down the industrial spur because the bridge is restricted to a 25-ton axle load.
Also heard as
- Axle loading
Do not mix it up with
- Loading gauge: Axle load limits weight, while loading gauge limits the physical height and width of the cars.