Does UIC 552 apply to all rolling stock types?

Yes, it applies to freight wagons, passenger coaches, and locomotives for standardized wheelset and axle maintenance.

How does UIC 552 relate to EN 13979?

UIC 552 complements EN 13979 by providing detailed guidance for inspection, maintenance, and documentation of wheelsets and axles.

Who should implement UIC Leaflet 552?

Railway operators, rolling stock manufacturers, maintenance teams, and certification authorities follow UIC 552 to ensure safe and reliable wheelset operations.

Ensuring Safe Rails: UIC Leaflet 552 on Wheelset and Axle Maintenance Explained

UIC Leaflet 552 specifies inspection, maintenance, and operational requirements for wheelsets and axles of railway vehicles to ensure safety, reliability, and interoperability.

September 29, 2023 10:32 am

What Is UIC Leaflet 552?

UIC Leaflet 552 is a standard issued by the International Union of Railways (UIC) that defines inspection, maintenance, and operational requirements for wheelsets and axles of railway vehicles.
It ensures the safety, reliability, and interoperability of rolling stock across European rail networks.

Importance of UIC Leaflet 552

Wheelsets and axles are essential for train stability, ride comfort, and safety.
UIC 552 standardizes maintenance procedures, inspection intervals, and defect reporting to prevent failures and reduce wear on both vehicles and tracks.

Specifies inspection procedures for wheelsets and axles
Defines maintenance intervals and corrective actions
Ensures safe and reliable operation of rolling stock
Supports interoperability across European networks

Scope and Technical Coverage

The leaflet applies to all railway vehicles including freight wagons, passenger coaches, and locomotives.
It covers preventive and corrective maintenance, monitoring of wear and fatigue, and documentation requirements.

Wheel diameter, flange, and tread wear limits
Axle geometry, alignment, and fatigue monitoring
Inspection and testing procedures
Corrective maintenance and replacement actions
Documentation for traceability and compliance

Key Technical Parameters

Parameter	Description	Operational Impact
Wheel Diameter and Profile	Limits on wear, flange thickness, and tread geometry	Ensures safe contact with rails and reduces derailment risk
Axle Alignment	Geometric correctness of axles and bearings	Maintains stability, reduces wear, and improves ride quality
Inspection Frequency	Regular intervals for preventive maintenance	Prevents failures and prolongs wheelset lifespan
Documentation	Records of inspections, repairs, and replacements	Supports traceability and regulatory compliance

Relationship with Other Standards

UIC 552 complements EN 13979 (wheelset maintenance), UIC 540 (maintenance documentation), and EN 15273 (track gauge compatibility).
It ensures wheelsets and axles operate safely with rolling stock and infrastructure systems.

Supports EN 13979 wheelset inspection requirements
Integrates with UIC 540 maintenance documentation standards
Ensures compatibility with track geometry standards like EN 15273

Who Uses UIC Leaflet 552?

The standard is applied by rolling stock manufacturers, railway operators, maintenance workshops, and certification authorities to ensure safe and reliable wheelset operation.