This part of BS 5892 specifies requirements for the manufacture, inspection and testing of forged and/or rolled axles (solid or hollow) in the unmachined, part machined or ready for assembly condition for traction and trailing stock. This part of BS 5892 includes requirements for the dimensions, tolerances and surface finish that are to be adopted unless otherwise specified in the design drawing.

This part of BS 5892 is not applicable to axles designed to BS EN 13103 and BS EN 13104, the manufacture, inspection and testing of which are specified in BS EN 13261.