UIC CODE 410

5th edition, August 2002

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Composition and calculation of the weight and braking of

passenger trains
Composition et détermination de la charge et du freinage des trains de voyageurs
Zugbildung und Festlegung der Last und der Bremsung der Reisezüge
Leaflet to be classified in Volumes :
IV - Operating
V - Rolling Stock

Application :
With effect from 1 January 1979
All members of the International Union of Railways

Record of updates
1st edition, January 1953 First version following revision of former Leaflet 196

2nd edition, January 1968 Revision

3rd edition, January 1974 Revision

4th edition, January 1979 Amendment of points 1.1 and 2

5th edition, August 2002 Retyped in FrameMaker

The person responsible for this leaflet is named in the UIC Code

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Contents

Summary ..............................................................................................................................1

1- Passenger train composition ..................................................................................... 2

1.1 - Definition of the composition limits ....................................................................... 2

1.2 - Train composition limits (tractive units not included) ............................................ 2

2- Calculation of the weight of a passenger train ........................................................ 3

3- Calculation of passenger train braking..................................................................... 4

Bibliography .........................................................................................................................5

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Summary

This leaflet defines the following conditions to be observed for the operation of passenger trains:

- maximum train composition limit expressed in number of vehicles, axles, hauled tonnage and
trainset length;

- calculation of the weight of trains (tare + inclusive weight specified in the leaflet);

- calculation of the minimum braking percentage in relation to the tare.

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1 - Passenger train composition

1.1 - Definition of the composition limits

The composition of passenger trains crossing one or more frontiers must comply with certain limits in
respect of the number of vehicles (or axles), the hauled tonnage and the length of the train set.

NB : The definition of a limit in terms of metres, excluding the tractive units, is for the purpose of
deciding the appropriate reception tracks, and where necessary, the length of station
accommodation (in particular, the platform length).
The normal limit is that which may be reached without any formality.

The maximum limit is the extreme limit which must never be exceeded.

In order to exceed the normal limit of composition (without exceeding the maximum limit), the
transferer Railway must send a prior advice to the transferee Railway(s) within a reasonable period.

1.2 - Train composition limits (tractive units not included)

Except when Railways have concluded special agreements, the normal and maximum limits to be
observed are as follows:

Normal limit Maximum limit

Number of vehicles 14 16
Number of axles 56 64
Number of tonnes 700 800
Number of metres 370 430

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2 - Calculation of the weight of a passenger train

Calculation of the weight

With regard to the application of point 1.2 - page 2, as well as for all information relating to the weight
of the train, this is to be calculated in the following manner:

- In the case of bogie vehicles, the total weight is to be calculated by adding the under-mentioned
inclusive weights to the actual tare of each vehicle; the result is to be rounded off to the nearest
tonne above:

1st class coaches 4t

Van/1st class coaches 4t
2nd class coaches with less than 80 seats 5t including couchette
Van/2nd class coaches 5t coaches
1st/2nd class composite coaches 5t
2nd class coaches with 80 seats or more 6t

Sleeping cars 2t
Bar/1st class coaches 2t
Bar/2nd class coaches 2t
Van/Restaurant cars 2t
Baggage vans 5t
Mail vans 5t
Two-tier wagons incorporated in car-sleeper trains and other 1t per vehicle carried
passenger trains (motor-car, caravan,
road trailer, boat,
etc.)

Restaurant cars no tare increase is to be made

Bar coaches
Other RIC vehicles 4t

- In the case of vehicles other than two-tier wagons, restaurant cars and bar coaches, the total weight
on rail (tare + load) shall be shown on the body.

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3 - Calculation of passenger train braking

Rules for application

1. The running and braking gear of the vehicles incorporated in a train should be suitable for running
at the maximum routing speed of the train.

2. The minimum braking percentage in relation to the tare, which each vehicle must have, is to be
calculated by agreement between Railways. For each normal service, this percentage is to be
fixed by the Forum Train Europe and shown in the European Timetable of Through Services.

3. Generally speaking, the minimum percentage to be observed is as follows:

with a speed:

- less than 100 km/h 105%

- 100 to 120 km/h 110%
- 121 to 140 km/h 130%
- more than 140 km/h 150%

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Bibliography

1. Minutes of meetings

International Union of Railways

4th Committee (1) Examination of the possibility of laying down general directives limiting (not taking
into account gradient profiles) the composition of international passenger trains. 2) Standardisation of
the bases for calculating the tonnage of carriages and passenger brake vans), May-June 1948

Board of Management - General Assembly (1) Examination of the possibility of laying down general
directives limiting (not taking into account gradient profiles) the composition of international passenger
trains. 2) Standardisation of the bases for calculating the tonnage of carriages and passenger brake
vans), 1948

4th, 5th Committees R.S. (Study of the possibility of formulating standard rules enabling Railways to
calculate, with full knowledge and according to the resistance (drag) of the vehicles, the formation of
passenger trains made up of rolling stock belonging to foreign Railways), May 1950

Board of Management - General Assembly (Study of the possibility of formulating standard rules
enabling Railways to calculate, with full knowledge and according to the resistance (drag) of the
vehicles, the formation of passenger trains made up of rolling stock belonging to foreign Railways),
November 1950

4th Committee (Revision of UIC leaflets), June 1952

Board of Management (Revision of UIC leaflets), November 1952

4th Committee (Revision of Leaflet No. 410 "Formation and calculation of the weight of passenger
trains"), May 1967

Operating Committee (Revision of Leaflet No. 410 "Composition and calculation of the weight and
braking of passenger trains"), May 1972

Operating Committee (Revision of Leaflet No. 410 "Composition and calculation of the weight and
braking of passenger trains"), June 1973

Operating Committee (Revision of Leaflet No. 410 "Composition and calculation of the weight and
braking of passenger trains"), June 1978

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 Warning

No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or distributed by any means whatsoever, including
electronic, except for private and individual use, without the express permission of the International Union of
Railways (UIC). The same applies for translation, adaptation or transformation, arrangement or reproduction by
any method or procedure whatsoever. The sole exceptions - noting the author's name and the source - are
"analyses and brief quotations justified by the critical, argumentative, educational, scientific or informative nature
of the publication into which they are incorporated".
(Articles L 122-4 and L122-5 of the French Intellectual Property Code).
Ó International Union of Railways (UIC) - Paris, 2002

Printed by the International Union of Railways (UIC)

16, rue Jean Rey 75015 Paris - France, August 2002
Dépôt Légal August 2002

ISBN 2-7461-0323-0 (French version)

ISBN 2-7461-0324-9 (German version)
ISBN 2-7461-0325-7 (English version)

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