This European Standard specifies the characteristics of axles for use for all track gauges. This standard can also apply to light rail and tramway applications. It defines characteristics of forged or rolled solid and hollow axles@ made from vacuum-degassed steel grade EA1N1)@ EA1T1) and EA4T1). For hollow axles@ this standard applies only to those that are manufactured by machining of a hole in a forged or rolled solid axle. Two categories of axle are defined@ category 1 and category 2. Generally@ category 1 is chosen when the operational speed is higher than 200 km/h. This standard is applicable to axles that are designed in accordance with the requirements of EN 13103- 1. This standard also permits variations of the material characteristics linked to alternative manufacturing processes (e.g. cold rolling@ shot peening@ thermal spraying@ steel cleanliness@ reduction ratio@ improved material properties from melting and heat treatment process@ etc.).