34.1.3 Axle Load Increases
The requirement for efficiency dictates the use of ever-greater axle loads. In Europe, axle loads of freight
vehicles were limited for many years to 18 t, but have now been standardized to 22.5 t by UIC.* In
America, 30 t has been common for many years and moves are afoot in Sweden to increase the axleloads
on the iron ore railway from Kiruna to Narvik from 25 t to 30 t. Also, on standard gauge, BHP
Iron Ore (formerly Mount Newman Mining) in the Pilbara region of Australia, operates ore trains of
36,000 t, formed of 240 wagons with an axle load of 37.5 t. These are powered by two diesel locomotives