Purpose. To determine the effect of the force components acting in the axle box and the central spring suspension on the stresses occurring in the side frame of the three-piece bogie. Methodology. To assess the effect of the forces acting on the side frame on the stresses in it, we developed a finite element model of the side frame. After that, we carried out an assessment of its stress-strain state under loading conditions corresponding to the І and ІІІ design modes. According to the results obtained, we determined the stress concentration points in the construction, which are selected as check ones for further studies. Also, as checkpoints we took the points corresponding to the sensor locations when estimating the stresses in the side frame during the tests. At the next stage, we applied unit loads in sequence at the interaction points of the side frame with the boxes and the central spring group. To obtain a more accurate result, the unit forces were balanced by the corresponding forces and moments of inertia. With each loading variant, tensors of stresses arising from the action of unit loads were obtained at checkpoints. On the basis of the stress tensors obtained, we determined the corresponding equivalent stressesthe sensitivity coefficients. Findings. The paper determines the stress sensitivity coefficients in the three-piece bogie side frame to external loads acting on the side frame from the side of axle box and central spring group. Based on the results of the assessment of the coefficients obtained, we determined the forces having the greatest influence on individual sections of the side frame. We estimated the possibility of using the obtained results in optimizing the parameters of the bogie spring suspension to increase the strength and durability of the side frame. Originality. For the first time, the effect of individual components of the forces acting on the side frame on the stresses in it has been estimated. Practical value. The obtained result can be used in the design and optimization of three-piece bogies, to improve the side frame durability. The stress tensors obtained can be used to estimate the effect of complex loading on the side frame strength and durability.