Ruling Gradient
The ruling gradient of a section of railway line between two major stations is the gradient of the steepest stretch. The ruling gradient governs the tonnage of the load that the locomotive can haul reliably.
Read more about this topic: Hillclimbing (railway)
Famous quotes containing the word ruling:
“Unrecognized alcoholism is the ruling pathology among writers and intellectuals.”
—Diana Trilling (b. 1905)