Meaning of ruling gradient | Babel Free

Definitions

The steepest uphill gradient in one direction on a section of railway line.

Examples

“For the next mile, the line falls, and then rises again, at a gradient of 1 in 50, the ruling gradient of the line.”

“In the next 65 miles the train⟳ climbs 2,470ft to the Arizona Divide⟳ on a ruling gradient of 1 in 70 and in steam days a fleet of helper engines was kept busy assisting the heavy trains over this section.”

“Minor changes to control⟳ gear include⟳ the provision of automatic wheelslip protection, since these units will be operated on lines with ruling gradients of 1 in 60 or 1 in 80.”

CEFR level