The International Union of Railways has defined a standard wheel diameter of 920 mm (36 in), although smaller sizes are used in some rapid transit railway systems and on ro-ro carriages.
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Depending on the railcar's size, wheelset diameters may vary. The standard set by the International Union of Railways is 36 inches. Some railcars may be equipped with smaller diameter wheels like auto racks utilizing 28-inch diameter wheels to reduce the overall height of the railcar.
How heavy is a train wheel? Standard wheel assemblies made of steel and ductile alloy can weigh between 235 to 480 pounds. The lighter-weight assemblies have an average load capacity of 10,000 pounds, while the heavier assemblies have an average capacity of 40,000 pounds.
Generally, a single wheel of a freight train can weigh anywhere between 250 to 500 pounds (113 to 227 kilograms). However, it's important to note that this is just an average range, and the actual weight can differ based on factors such as wheel design, size, and material composition.
To help the wheels stay on the track their shape is usually slightly conical. This means that the inside of the wheel has a larger circumference than the outside of the wheel. (They also have a flange, or raised edge, on the inner side to prevent the train from falling off the tracks.)
The wheels were part of the mechanical advantage, the “gearing” if you will. Passenger locomotives, designed for high speeds had the large wheels. Big wheels, more track covered with one revolution. Freight locomotives, designed to pull heavy loads more slowly, had smaller wheels.
The life expectancy of diesel-electric and electric locomotives is expected to be similar—about 25 years. Both types of motive power are subject to technological obsolescence.