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:
“Still doth the soul, from its lone fastness high,
Upon our life a ruling effluence send.
And when it fails, fight as we will, we die;
And while it lasts, we cannot wholly end.”
—Matthew Arnold (1822–1888)