49 CFR § 215.105 - Defective axle.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s215.105"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 215.105 - Defective axle."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "215.105"
section_name: "Defective axle."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "215"
part_name: "RAILROAD FREIGHT CAR SAFETY STANDARDS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 20102-03, 20107, 20171; 28 U.S.C. 2461; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "44 FR 77340, Dec. 31, 1979, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "215"
---


# 215.105 Defective axle.

A railroad may not place or continue in service a car, if—

(a) An axle on the car has a crack or is broken;

(b) An axle on the car has a gouge in the surface that is—

(1) Between the wheel seats; and

(2) More than one-eighth inch in depth;

(c) An axle on the car, used in conjunction with a plain bearing, has an end collar that is broken or cracked;

(d) A journal on the car shows evidence of overheating, as evidenced by a pronounced blue black discoloration; or

(e) The surface of the plain bearing journal on the axle, or the fillet on the axle, has—

(1) A ridge;

(2) A depression;

(3) A circumferential score;

(4) Corrugation;

(5) A scratch;

(6) A continuous streak;

(7) Pitting;

(8) Rust; or

(9) Etching.