Daily load tons are a key metric used by Deutsche Bahn (DB) to determine track utilisation. In the course of DB's privatisation, a more economically driven use of the rail network was implemented, along with the decommissioning of less frequented sections. Concurrently, the redistribution of train services enabled a more efficient use of the remaining routes. This, in turn, led to a significant increase in overall track utilisation. Consequently, these utilisation figures allow the determination of load tons, the actual transported weight, and the number of axle crossings over structural components of the railway infrastructure. The present study is therefore based on the analysis of real data on track utilisation. The objective of the present study is twofold: first, to derive reliable load cycle numbers, and second, to develop forecasts for future loads. These numbers and forecasts can then be compared to existing design methods for infrastructure components. The work commences with an introduction and a presentation of the underlying data in the initial two chapters. The third chapter delineates the pertinent influencing factors and boundary conditions. In the fourth chapter, a comprehensive evaluation of the collected data is presented. The final chapter offers a summary and assessment of the key findings.