49 CFR § 230.98 - Driving, trailing, and engine truck axles.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s230.98"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 230.98 - Driving, trailing, and engine truck axles."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "230.98"
section_name: "Driving, trailing, and engine truck axles."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "230"
part_name: "STEAM LOCOMOTIVE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE 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. 20103, 20107, 20702; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "64 FR 62865, Nov. 17, 1999, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "230"
---


# 230.98 Driving, trailing, and engine truck axles.

(a) *Condemning defects.* Driving, trailing, and engine truck axles with any of the following defects shall be removed from service immediately and repaired (see appendix A of this part for inspection requirements):

(1) Bent axle;

(2) Cut journals that cannot be made to run cool without turning;

(3) Transverse seams in iron or steel axles;

(4) Seams in axles causing journals to run hot;

(5) Axles that are unsafe on account of usage, accident or derailment;

(6) Any axle worn 
1/2 inch or more in diameter below the original/new journal diameter, except as provided in paragraph (a)(7) of this section;

(7) Any driving axles other than main driving axles with an original or new diameter greater than 6 inches that are worn 
3/4 inch or more in diameter below the original/new diameter.

(b) *Journal diameter stamped.* For steam locomotives with plain bearings, the original/new journal diameter shall be stamped on one end of the axle no later than January 18, 2005.