Editing Loading gauge (section)

== Out of gauge ==
While it may be true that trains of a particular loading gauge can travel freely over tracks of a matching structure gauge, in practice, problems can still occur. In an accident at [[Moston station]], an old platform not normally used by freight trains was hit by a train that wasn't within its intended W6a gauge because two container fastenings were hanging over the side. Analysis showed that the properly configured train would have passed safely even though the platform couldn't handle the maximum design sway of W6a. Accepting reduced margins for old construction is normal practice if there have been no incidents but if the platform had met modern standards with greater safety margin the out of gauge train would have passed without incident.<ref>''[[The Railway Magazine]]'' April 2015, p12</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Here is a platform alteration|url=http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2015/here-is-a-platform-alteration/|work=rail.co.uk|date=17 February 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820111636/http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2015/here-is-a-platform-alteration/|archive-date=20 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Report 17/2015: Trains struck platform at Moston, Manchester|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/report-172015-trains-struck-platform-at-moston-manchester|website=gov.uk|publisher=Rail Accident Investigation Branch|date=7 October 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924053746/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/report-172015-trains-struck-platform-at-moston-manchester|archive-date=24 September 2016}}</ref>

Trains larger than the loading gauge, but not too large, can operate if the structure gauge is carefully measured, and the trip is subject to various special regulations.
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