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<img post-id="1109" fifu-featured="1" width="1200" src="https://i2.wp.com/assets.iflscience.com/assets/articleNo/77693/aImg/81561/train-meta.png?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="The Strange Reason Why Trains In Switzerland Can’t Have 256 Axles" title="The Strange Reason Why Trains In Switzerland Can’t Have 256 Axles" decoding="async"/> <br />
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<p>Have you ever heard that trains in Switzerland can have up to 255 axles? It’s true! But here’s where it gets interesting: they can actually have trains with 257 axles or more. So, does that mean that a train with exactly 256 axles is permitted? Absolutely not!</p><br />
<p>According to guidelines from the Historic Railways of Switzerland (HECH), having exactly 256 axles is off the table. You might wonder why that is. The explanation lies in the way axles are counted along the railway tracks. There are specialized detectors placed at various intervals along the track that count the number of wheels that pass over them. This data is essential for train operators to know if a track section is clear or currently occupied.</p><br />
<p>The counting system employed in Switzerland utilizes an 8-digit binary format. When the count reaches 11111111, it resets to 00000000. This peculiar situation means that a train with precisely 256 axles would essentially vanish from the counting system, leading to the alarming possibility of undetected trains occupying the same track.</p><br />
<p>To avert accidents and ensure the safety of all passengers, the Swiss rail system has deemed it necessary to restrict trains from having 256 axles. This regulation helps prevent multiple trains from being on the same track at once. Instead of undergoing a costly and lengthy system upgrade, authorities decided that banning 256 axles outright was the best course of action.</p><br />
<p>So, the next time you spot a train in Switzerland, remember—it’s all about keeping the tracks safe and avoiding any potential disasters.</p><br />
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