European railfreight could be 30% heavy haul

Axleloads are being increased in continental Europe. 25-tonne axleload services have been introduced by French National Railways (SNCF), Belgian National Railways (SNCB) and German Rail (DB). Finland is studying the possibilities of introducing both 25- and 40-tonne axleload services. Axleloads of 25 tonnes will probably become the standard for specialised freight lines. Heavier axleloads shorten the working life of track components and increase the rate of track structure degradation. Wagon maintenance costs may also increase. Increasing the axleloads can increase the number of wagons/train from 52 to 68. Increased axleloads cause problems for ground stability and for bridges that were not designed to sustain high axleloads. The implications of increased axleloads for the wheel/rail interface and for rolling stock are considered. The economics of increasing the axleloads are discussed.

• Authors:
  • KNUTTON, M
• Publication Date: 2005-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 18-20
• Serial:
  • EUROPEAN RAIL OUTLOOK
  • Publisher: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle loads; Bridges; Durability; Economics; Freight transportation; Railroad tracks; Railroad transportation; Rolling stock; Wheels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Increase
• Geographic Terms: Europe
• ITRD Terms: 3067: Axle load; 3455: Bridge; 5910: Durability; 255: Economics; 8034: Europe; 1112: Freight transport; 9032: Increase; 1173: Rail bound transport; 1062: Railway track; 1266: Rolling stock; 1372: Wheel
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Economics; Freight Transportation; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment; I10: Economics and Administration; I70: Traffic and Transport; I90: Vehicles;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01032852
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Sep 6 2006 2:22PM