Flat spot

This article is about the rail transport fault. For other uses, see Flat spot (disambiguation).

A flat spot, or wheel flat, also called spalling or shelling, is a fault in railroad wheel shape. A flat spot occurs when a rolling stock's wheelset stops rotating while the train is still in motion. Friction causes the part of the wheel against the hardened steel of the rails to ablate. Flat spots are usually caused on the rail transport when emergency brake are applied, or when conditions (such as during autumn (leaves) and winter (ice)) create slippery rails causing wheels to lock up while the train is still moving.

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