AS 7515 – Axles

The objective of this Standard is to describe the requirements for rolling stock axles. The main purpose of the requirements is to reduce the risk of derailment arising from axle failure.

Axles are critical components of rolling stock that enable wheels to rotate and support train operations. They are essential for safe railway operations, as axle failure can lead to serious derailments and accidents.

AS 7515 is an Australian standard that provides comprehensive guidance on managing axles throughout their complete lifecycle. This covers design, manufacture, operation, maintenance, inspection, and disposal of railway axles.

The revised standard includes several important updates:

• New requirements for bespoke axle designs
• Improved clarity on geometric features for axle design
• New recommendations for corrosion protection measures
• Enhanced requirements for axle inspections
• New requirements for axles involved in derailments
• Updated requirements and recommendations for axle repairs

This standard assists Rail Transport Operators (RTOs) in identifying and managing risks associated with axle failure. By following standardised practices, organisations can reduce safety risks and improve consistency across the rail industry.

The standard provides requirements and recommendations that reduce the risk of axle failure due to:

• Corrosion and environmental damage
• Metal fatigue and structural failure
• Inadequate maintenance practices
• Improper storage conditions

A systematic approach is recommended:

• Review AS 7515 against your existing internal standards
• Identify areas of alignment and variance between standards
• Where standards align, update requirements to reference AS 7515 using your organisation’s change management process
• Where differences exist, assess whether AS 7515 provides superior safety outcomes or better harmonisation against your risk profile
• If AS 7515 offers improved outcomes, modify organisational standards accordingly
• If internal standards provide better outcomes, document derogation or deviation statements within your organisation’s standards