An invisible but important task: replacing axles
To ensure the reliability and availability of its rolling stock, ETF carries out regular maintenance work on its locomotives. These maintenance operations are rarely highlighted, but they are vital for the safety of our staff on the ground and the smooth running of our projects.
What are axles and how do you replace them?
Axles form the link between the track and the locomotive. They are mechanical components consisting of a rigid metal shaft on which two wheels are mounted. The axles enable the locomotive to run and support its entire weight, which is around 88 tonnes for this machine.
When the locomotive is used on site, the wheels wear down and become increasingly thin. To replace the wheels, teams from ETF’s Rolling Stock Maintenance Agency will therefore lift the locomotive and dismantle the bogies so they can be inspected and fitted with new axles. The bogies are then refitted beneath the locomotive prior to final testing and the machine’s return to service.
Handling these components is complicated by the weight of the parts. A bogie weighs around 12 tonnes and an axle 3 tonnes. Replacing the axles required a team of four people and 150 hours of work.
This replacement of the axles ensures that the locomotive remains compliant and operational for the coming years.