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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 Bizarre Reason Trains in Switzerland Can’t Have 256 Axles" title="The Bizarre Reason Trains in Switzerland Can’t Have 256 Axles" decoding="async"/><br />
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<p>Have you ever wondered why trains in Switzerland can have a maximum of 255 axles? It’s a quirky rule, but here’s the twist: they can also have more than 257 axles. So, does that mean a train could sport exactly 256 axles? The answer is a resounding no!</p><br />
<p>According to a guideline from the Historic Railways of Switzerland (HECH), having exactly 256 axles is off-limits. You might be curious about the reason behind this unusual restriction. It relates to the method used for counting axles along the railway tracks. Special detectors are strategically placed to count the wheels that roll over them, and this information is vital for train operators to know if a track segment is free or occupied.</p><br />
<p>The problem stems from Switzerland's unique counting system, which utilizes an 8-digit binary format. When the count hits 11111111, it resets to 00000000. This means that a train with precisely 256 axles would effectively vanish from the counting system, increasing the risk of undetected trains sharing the same track.</p><br />
<p>To avert possible accidents and collisions, the Swiss rail system prohibits trains from having 256 axles. Allowing this would mean multiple trains could be mistakenly given the go-ahead to occupy the same track. Instead of overhauling the counting system—which would be both expensive and time-consuming—Swiss authorities opted for the simpler solution of banning 256 axles altogether.</p><br />
<p>So, the next time you catch a glimpse of a train in Switzerland, remember that this peculiar regulation is all about prioritizing safety and minimizing the chances of mishaps on their tracks.</p><br />
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