Max. width of Locos & Cars

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Greetings,

Is there a standard dimension regarding the width of railcars and locomotives?

If so, does anyone know the maximum width and who regulates this standard?

Thanks, Robert

2

The maximum width for unrestricted movement in the US, Canada, and Mexico is 10 feet, 6 inches. Loads less than 11 feet wide can generally move without restriction as to train handling. As to maximum width of a load, there is a publication called “Railway Line Clearances” that list the maximum dimensions that can be handled on each line of track. This is NOT a rectangle - each clearance diagram looks more like an octagon. Also, as a rule, anything over 12 feet wide can only move in special train service, by itself. The AAR sets the “Plates” that govern the construction of cars, but it is up to each individual railroad to furnish line clearances.

3

Thanks for the great info Gregg!

At the risk of sounding uninformed, who is the AAR?

Thanks again,
Robert

4

Robert, it is The Association of American Railroads. For more information see http://www.aar.org

5

Actually, the maximum width for cars on Plate B (unrestricted) is 10 feet 8 inches for most cars, decreasing when the distance between truck centers increases beyond 46’3". That 10’8" width is the max on all of the other clearance-diagram plates (C, E, and F). Plate H, dealing with double-stack loads and tall auto racks, prescribes a maximum width of 9’11".