Fan openings, exposed gears and pinions, exposed moving parts of mechanisms, pipes carrying hot gases and high-voltage equipment, switches, circuit breakers, contactors, relays, grid resistors, and fuses shall be in non-hazardous locations or equipped with guards to prevent personal injury.

(a) Products of combustion shall be released entirely outside the cab and other compartments. Exhaust stacks shall be of sufficient height or other means provided to prevent entry of products of combustion into the cab or other compartments under usual operating conditions.

(b) Battery containers shall be vented and batteries kept from gassing excessively.

All systems and components on a locomotive shall be free of conditions that endanger the safety of the crew, locomotive or train. These conditions include: insecure attachment of components, including third rail shoes or beams, traction motors and motor gear cases, and fuel tanks; fuel, oil, water, steam, and other leaks and accumulations of oil on electrical equipment that create a personal injury hazard; improper functioning of components, including slack adjusters, pantograph operating cylinders, circuit breakers, contactors, relays, switches, and fuses; and cracks, breaks, excessive wear and other structural infirmities of components, including quill drives, axles, gears, pinions, pantograph shoes and horns, third rail beams, traction motor gear cases, and fuel tanks.

(a) Before each trip, the railroad shall know the following:

(1) The locomotive brakes and devices for regulating pressures, including but not limited to the automatic and independent brake control systems, operate as intended; and

(2) The water and oil have been drained from the air brake system of all locomotives in the consist.

(b) A locomotive with an inoperative or ineffective automatic or independent brake control system will be considered to be operating as intended for purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The locomotive is in a trailing position and is not the controlling locomotive in a distributed power train consist;

(2) The railroad has previously determined, in conjunction with the locomotive and/or airbrake manufacturer, that placing such a locomotive in trailing position adequately isolates the non-functional valves so as to allow safe operation of the brake systems from the controlling locomotive;

(3) If deactivation of the circuit breaker for the air brake system is required, it shall be specified in the railroad's operating rules;

(4) A tag shall immediately be placed on the isolation switch of the locomotive giving the date and location and stating that the unit may only be used in a trailing position and may not be used as a lead or controlling locomotive;

(5) The tag required in paragraph (b)(4) of this section remains attached to the isolation switch of the locomotive until repairs are made; and

(6) The inoperative or ineffective brake control system is repaired prior to or at the next periodic inspection.

(a) Except for locomotives with cabs designed for occupancy by only one person, each road locomotive shall be equipped with a brake pipe valve that is accessible to a member of the crew, other than the engineer, from that crew member's position in the cab. On car body type locomotives, a brake pipe valve shall be attached to the wall adjacent to each end exit door. The words “Emergency Brake Valve” shall be legibly stenciled or marked near each brake pipe valve or shall be shown on an adjacent badge plate.

(b) DMU, MU, and control cab locomotives operated in road service shall be equipped with an emergency brake valve that is accessible to another crew member in the passenger compartment or vestibule. The words “Emergency Brake Valve” shall be legibly stenciled or marked near each valve or shall be shown on an adjacent badge plate.

(a)(1) The main reservoir system of each locomotive shall be equipped with at least one safety valve that shall prevent an accumulation of pressure of more than 15 pounds per square inch above the maximum working air pressure fixed by the chief mechanical officer of the carrier operating the locomotive.

(2) Except for non-equipped MU locomotives built prior to January 1, 1981, each locomotive that has a pneumatically actuated system of power controls shall be equipped with a separate reservoir of air under pressure to be used for operating those power controls. The reservoir shall be provided with means to automatically prevent the loss of pressure in the event of a failure of main air pressure, have storage capacity for not less than three complete operating cycles of control equipment and be located where it is not exposed to damage.

(b) A governor shall be provided that stops and starts or unloads and loads the air compressor within 5 pounds per square inch above or below the maximum working air pressure fixed by the carrier.

(c) Each compressor governor used in connection with the automatic air brake system shall be adjusted so that the compressor will start when the main reservoir pressure is not less than 15 pounds per square inch above the maximum brake pipe pressure fixed by the carrier and will not stop the compressor until the reservoir pressure has increased at least 10 pounds.

(a) Aluminum main reservoirs used on locomotives shall be designed and fabricated as follows:

(1) The heads and shell shall be made of Aluminum Association Alloy No. 5083-0, produced in accordance with American Society of Mechnical Engineers (ASME) Specification SB-209, as defined in the “ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code” (1971 edition), section II, Part B, page 123, with a minimum tensile strength of 40,000 p.s.i. (40 k.s.i.).

(2) Each aluminum main reservoir shall be designed and fabricated in accordance with the “ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,” section VIII, Division I (1971 edition), except as otherwise provided in this part.

(3) An aluminum main reservoir shall be constructed to withstand at least five times its maximum working pressure or 800 p.s.i., whichever is greater.

(4) Each aluminum main reservoir shall have at least two inspection openings to permit complete circumferential visual observation of the interior surface. On reservoirs less than 18 inches in diameter, the size of each inspection opening shall be at least that of 1 1/2-inch threaded iron pipe, and on reservoirs 18 or more inches in diameter, the size of each opening shall be at least that of 2-inch threaded iron pipe.

(b) The following publications, which contain the industry standards incorporated by reference in paragraph (a) of this section, may be obtained from the publishers and are also on file in the Office of Safety of the Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, DC 20590. Sections II and VIII of the “ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code” (1971 edition) are published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, United Engineering Center, 345 East 47th Street, New York, New York 10017.

All mechanical gauges and all devices providing indication of air pressure electronically that are used by the engineer to aid in the control or braking of the train or locomotive shall be located so that they may be conveniently read from the engineer's usual position during operation of the locomotive. A gauge or device shall not be more than five percent or three pounds per square inch in error, whichever is less.

(a) Brake cylinder piston travel shall be sufficient to provide brake shoe clearance when the brakes are released.

(b) When the brakes are applied on a standing locomotive, the brake cylinder piston travel may not exceed 1 1/2 inches less than the total possible piston travel. The total possible piston travel for each locomotive shall be entered on Form FRA F 6180-49A.

(c) The minimum brake cylinder pressure shall be 30 pounds per square inch.

A lever, rod, brake beam, hanger, or pin may not be worn through more than 30 percent of its cross-sectional area, cracked, broken, or missing. All pins shall be secured in place with cotters, split keys, or nuts. Brake shoes shall be fastened with a brake shoe key and aligned in relation to the wheel to prevent localized thermal stress in the edge of the rim or the flange.

(a) Leakage from the main air reservoir and related piping may not exceed an average of 3 pounds per square inch per minute for 3 minutes after the pressure has been reduced to 60 percent of the maximum pressure.

(b) Brake pipe leakage may not exceed 5 pounds per square inch per minute.

(c) With a full service application at maximum brake pipe pressure and with communication to the brake cylinders closed, the brakes shall remain applied at least 5 minutes.

(d) Leakage from control air reservoir, related piping, and pneumatically operated controls may not exceed an average of 3 pounds per square inch per minute for 3 minutes.

(a) A coupler may not have any of the following conditions:

(1) A distance between the guard arm and the knuckle nose of more than 5 5/16 inches on D&E couplers.

(2) A crack or break in the side wall or pin bearing bosses outside of the shaded areas shown in Figure 1 or in the pulling face of the knuckle.

(3) A coupler assembly without anti-creep protection.

(4) Free slack in the coupler or drawbar not absorbed by friction devices or draft gears that exceeds one-half inches.

(5) A broken or cracked coupler carrier.

(6) A broken or cracked yoke.

(7) A broken draft gear.

(b) A device shall be provided under the lower end of all drawbar pins and articulated connection pins to prevent the pin from falling out of place in case of breakage.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), the total uncontrolled lateral motion between the hubs of the wheels and boxes, between boxes and pedestals or both, on any pair of wheels may not exceed 1 inch on non-powered axles and friction bearing powered axles, or 3/4 inch on all other powered axles.

(b) The total uncontrolled lateral motion may not exceed 1 1/4 inches on the center axle of three-axle trucks.

A plain bearing box shall contain visible free oil and may not be cracked to the extent that it will leak oil.

(a) Protective construction or safety hangers shall be provided to prevent spring planks, spring seats or bolsters from dropping to track structure in event of a hanger or spring failure.

(b) An elliptical spring may not have its top (long) leaf broken or any other three leaves broken, except when that spring is part of a nest of three or more springs and none of the other springs in the nest has its top leaf or any other three leaves broken. An outer coil spring or saddle may not be broken. An equalizer, hanger, bolt, gib, or pin may not be cracked or broken. A coil spring may not be fully compressed when the locomotive is at rest.

(c) A shock absorber may not be broken or leaking clearly formed droplets of oil or other fluid.

(a) The male center plate shall extend into the female center plate at least 3/4 inch. On trucks constructed to transmit tractive effort through the center plate or center pin, the male center plate shall extend into the female center plate at least 1 1/2 inches. Maximum lost motion in a center plate assemblage may not exceed 1/2 inch.

(b) Each locomotive shall have a device or securing arrangement to prevent the truck and locomotive body from separating in case of derailment.

(c) A truck may not have a loose tie bar or a cracked or broken center casting, motor suspension lug, equalizer, hanger, gib or pin. A truck frame may not be broken or have a crack in a stress area that may affect its structural integrity.

(a) Friction side bearings with springs designed to carry weight may not have more than 25 percent of the springs in any one nest broken.

(b) Friction side bearings may not be run in contact unless designed to carry weight. Maximum clearance of side bearings may not exceed one-fourth inch on each side or a total of one-half inch on both sides, except where more than two side bearings are used under the same rigid superstructure. The clearance on one pair of side bearings under the same rigid superstructure shall not exceed one-fourth inch on each side or a total of one-half inch on both sides; the other side bearings under the same rigid superstructure may have one-half inch clearance on each side or a total of 1 inch on both sides. These clearances apply where the spread of the side bearings is 50 inches or less; where the spread is greater, the side bearing clearance may only be increased proportionately.

No part or appliance of a locomotive except the wheels, flexible nonmetallic sand pipe extension tips, and trip cock arms may be less than 2 1/2 inches above the top of rail.

(a) The variation in the circumference of wheels on the same axle may not exceed 1/4 inch (two tape sizes) when applied or turned.

(b) The maximum variation in the diameter between any two wheel sets in a three-powered-axle truck may not exceed 3/4 inch, except that when shims are used at the journal box springs to compensate for wheel diameter variation, the maximum variation may not exceed 1 1/4 inch. The maximum variation in the diameter between any two wheel sets on different trucks on a locomotive that has three-powered-axle trucks may not exceed 1 1/4 inch. The diameter of a wheel set is the average diameter of the two wheels on an axle.

(c) On standard gauge locomotives, the distance between the inside gauge of the flanges on non-wide flange wheels may not be less than 53 inches or more than 53 1/2 inches. The distance between the inside gauge of the flanges on wide flange wheels may not be less than 53 inches or more than 53 1/4 inches.

(d) The distance back to back of flanges of wheels mounted on the same axle shall not vary more than 1/4 inch.

Wheels and tires may not have any of the following conditions:

(a) A single flat spot that is 2 1/2 inches or more in length, or two adjoining spots that are each two or more inches in length.

(b) A gouge or chip in the flange that is more than 1 1/2 inches in length and 1/2 inch in width.

(c) A broken rim, if the tread, measured from the flange at a point five-eighths inch above the tread, is less than 3 3/4 inches in width.

(d) A shelled-out spot 2 1/2 inches or more in length, or two adjoining spots that are each two or more inches in length.

(e) A seam running lengthwise that is within 3 3/4 inches of the flange.

(f) A flange worn to a 7/8 inch thickness or less, gauged at a point 3/8 inch above the tread.

(g) A tread worn hollow 5/16 inch or more on a locomotive in road service or 3/8 inch or more on a locomotive in switching service.

(h) A flange height of 1 1/2 inches or more measured from tread to the top of the flange.

(i) Tires less than 1 1/2 inches thick.

(j) Rims less than 1 inch thick on a locomotive in road service or less than 3/4 inch on a locomotive in yard service.

(k) A crack or break in the flange, tread, rim, plate, or hub.

(l) A loose wheel or tire.

(m) Fusion welding may not be used on tires or steel wheels of locomotives, except for the repair of flat spots and worn flanges on locomotives used exclusively in yard service. A wheel that has been welded is a welded wheel for the life of the wheel.

(a) Pantographs shall be so arranged that they can be operated from the engineer's normal position in the cab. Pantographs that automatically rise when released shall have an automatic locking device to secure them in the down position.

(b) Each pantograph operating on an overhead trolley wire shall have a device for locking and grounding it in the lowest position, that can be applied and released only from a position where the operator has a clear view of the pantograph and roof without mounting the roof.

When locomotives are equipped with both third rail and overhead collectors, third-rail shoes shall be deenergized while in yards and at stations when current collection is exclusively from the overhead conductor.

(a) Each locomotive equipped with a pantograph operating on an overhead trolley wire shall have an emergency pole suitable for operating the pantograph. Unless the entire pole can be safely handled, the part of the pole which can be safely handled shall be marked to so indicate. This pole shall be protected from moisture when not in use.

(b) Each locomotive equipped with third-rail shoes shall have a device for insulating the current collecting apparatus from the third rail.

All unguarded noncurrent-carrying metal parts subject to becoming charged shall be grounded or thoroughly insulated.

All doors, cover plates, or barriers providing direct access to high voltage equipment shall be marked “Danger-High Voltage” or with the word “Danger” and the normal voltage carried by the parts so protected.

All hand-operated switches carrying currents with a potential of more than 150 volts that may be operated while under load shall be covered and shall be operative from the outside of the cover. Means shall be provided to show whether the switches are open or closed. Switches that should not be operated while under load shall be legibly marked with the words “must not be operated under load” and the voltage carried.

(a) Jumpers and cable connections between locomotives shall be so located and guarded to provide sufficient vertical clearance. They may not hang with one end free.

(b) Cable and jumper connections between locomotive may not have any of the following conditions:

(1) Broken or badly chafed insulation.

(2) Broken plugs, receptacles or terminals.

(3) Broken or protruding strands of wire.

A motor or a generator may not have any of the following conditions:

(a) Be shorted or grounded.

(b) Throw solder excessively.

(c) Show evidence of coming apart.

(d) Have an overheated support bearing.

(e) Have an excessive accumulation of oil.

The fuel line shall have a safety cut-off device that—

(a) Is located adjacent to the fuel supply tank or in another safe location;

(b) Closes automatically when tripped and can be reset without hazard; and

(c) Can be hand operated from clearly marked locations, one inside the cab and one on each exterior side of the locomotive.

Fuel tank vent pipes may not discharge on the roof nor on or between the rails.

Fuel tanks and related piping shall be electrically grounded.

Drive shafts shall have safety hangers.

(a) The temperature and pressure alarms, controls and related switches of internal combustion engines shall function properly.

(b) Whenever an engine has been shut down due to mechanical or other problems, a distinctive warning notice giving reason for the shut-down shall be conspicuously attached near the engine starting control until repairs have been made.

(c) Wheel slip/slide protection shall be provided on a locomotive with an engine displaying a warning notice whenever required by § 229.115(b).

The safe working pressure for each steam generator shall be fixed by the chief mechanical officer of the carrier. The minimum factor of safety shall be four. The fixed safe working pressure shall be indicated on FRA Form F 6180-49A.

An identification number shall be marked on the steam generator's separator and that number entered on FRA Form F 6180-49A.

(a) Each steam generator shall have an illuminated steam gauge that correctly indicates the pressure. The steam pressure gauge shall be graduated to not less than one and one-half times the allowed working pressure of the steam generator.

(b) Each steam pressure gauge on a steam generator shall have a siphon that prevents steam from entering the gauge. The pipe connection shall directly enter the separator and shall be steam tight between the separator and the gauge.

Every steam generator shall be equipped with at least two safety valves that have a combined capacity to prevent an accumulation of pressure of more than five pounds per square inch above the allowed working pressure. The safety valves shall be independently connected to the separator and located as closely to the separator as possible without discharging inside of the generator compartment. The ends of the safety valve discharge lines shall be located or protected so that discharged steam does not create a hazard.

(a) Steam generators shall be equipped with an illuminated visual return water-flow indicator.

(b) Steam generators shall be equipped with an operable test valve or other means of determining whether the steam generator is filled with water. The fill test valve may not discharge steam or hot water into the steam generator compartment.

Whenever any steam generator has been shut down because of defects, a distinctive warning notice giving reasons for the shut-down shall be conspicuously attached near the steam generator starting controls until the necessary repairs have been made. The locomotive in which the steam generator displaying a warning notice is located may continue in service until the next periodic inspection.

(a) Periodic steam generator inspection. Except as provided in § 229.33, each steam generator shall be inspected and tested in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section at intervals not to exceed 92 days, unless the steam generator is isolated in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section. All non-complying conditions shall be repaired or the steam generator shall be isolated as prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section before the locomotive is used.

(b) Isolation of a steam generator. A steam generator will be considered isolated if the water suction pipe to the water pump and the leads to the main switch (steam generator switch) are disconnected, and the train line shut-off-valve is wired closed or a blind gasket is applied. Before an isolated steam generator is returned to use, it shall be inspected and tested pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section.

(c) Forms. Each periodic steam generator inspection and test shall be recorded on Form FRA F 6180-49A required by paragraph § 229.23. When Form FRA F 6180-49A for the locomotive is replaced, data for the steam generator inspections shall be transferred to the new Form FRA F6180-49A.

(d) Tests and requirements. Each periodic steam generator inspection and test shall include the following tests and requirements:

(1) All electrical devices and visible insulation shall be inspected.

(2) All automatic controls, alarms, and protective devices shall be inspected and tested.

(3) Steam pressure gauges shall be tested by comparison with a dead-weight tester or a test gauge designed for this purpose. The siphons to the steam gauges shall be removed and their connections examined to determine that they are open.

(4) Safety valves shall be set and tested under steam after the steam pressure gauge is tested.

(e) Annual steam generator tests. Each steam generator that is not isolated in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, shall be subjected to a hydrostatic pressure at least 25 percent above the working pressure and the visual return water-flow indicator shall be removed and inspected. The testing under this paragraph shall be performed at intervals that do not exceed 368 calendar days.

(a) Except for MU locomotives, each locomotive used in road service shall be equipped with a device that provides an audible or visual alarm in the cab of either slipping or sliding wheels on powered axles under power. When two or more locomotives are coupled in multiple or remote control, the wheel slip/slide alarm of each locomotive shall be shown in the cab of the controlling locomotive.

(b) Except as provided in § 229.9, an equipped locomotive may not be dispatched in road service, or continue in road service following a daily inspection, unless the wheel slip/slide protective device of whatever type—

(1) Is functioning for each powered axle under power; and

(2) Would function on each powered axle if it were under power.

(c) Effective January 1, 1981, all new locomotives capable of being used in road service shall be equipped with a device that detects wheel slip/slide for each powered axle when it is under power. The device shall produce an audible or visual alarm in the cab.

(a) After December 31, 1980, each locomotive used as a controlling locomotive at speeds in excess of 20 miles per hour shall be equipped with a speed indicator which is—

(1) Accurate within ±3 miles per hour of actual speed at speeds of 10 to 30 miles per hour and accurate within ±5 miles per hour at speeds above 30 miles per hour; and

(2) Clearly readable from the engineer's normal position under all light conditions.

(b) Each speed indicator required shall be tested as soon as possible after departure by means of speed test sections or equivalent procedures.

(a) Cab seats shall be securely mounted and braced. Cab doors shall be equipped with a secure and operable latching device.

(b) Cab windows of the lead locomotive shall provide an undistorted view of the right-of-way for the crew from their normal position in the cab. (See also, Safety Glazing Standards, 49 CFR part 223, 44 FR 77348, Dec. 31, 1979.)

(c) Floors of cabs, passageways, and compartments shall be kept free from oil, water, waste or any obstruction that creates a slipping, tripping or fire hazard. Floors shall be properly treated to provide secure footing.

(d) Any occupied locomotive cab shall be provided with proper ventilation and with a heating arrangement that maintains a temperature of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit 6 inches above the center of each seat in the cab compartment.

(e) Similar locomotives with open-end platforms coupled in multiple control and used in road service shall have a means of safe passage between them; no passageway is required through the nose of car body locomotives. There shall be a continuous barrier across the full width of the end of a locomotive or a continuous barrier between locomotives.

(f) Containers shall be provided for carrying fusees and torpedoes. A single container may be used if it has a partition to separate fusees from torpedoes. Torpedoes shall be kept in a closed metal container.

(g) Each locomotive or remanufactured locomotive placed in service for the first time on or after June 8, 2012, shall be equipped with an air conditioning unit in the locomotive cab compartment.

(h) Each air conditioning unit in the locomotive cab on a locomotive identified in paragraph (g) of this section shall be inspected and maintained to ensure that it operates properly and meets or exceeds the manufacturer's minimum operating specifications during the periodic inspection required for the locomotive pursuant to § 229.23 of this part.

(i) Each locomotive or remanufactured locomotive ordered on or after June 8, 2012, or placed in service for the first time on or after December 10, 2012, shall be equipped with a securement device on each exterior locomotive cab door that is capable of securing the door from inside of the cab.

(a) Performance standards for locomotives. (1) When tested for static noise in accordance with paragraph (a)(3) of this section, all locomotives of each design or model that are manufactured after October 29, 2007, shall average less than or equal to 85 dB(A), with an upper 99% confidence limit of 87 dB(A). The railroad may rely on certification from the equipment manufacturer for a production run that this standard is met. The manufacturer may determine the average by testing a representative sample of locomotives or an initial series of locomotives, provided that there are suitable manufacturing quality controls and verification procedures in place to ensure product consistency.

(2) In the maintenance of locomotives that are manufactured in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) of this section, a railroad shall not make any alterations that cause the average sound level for that locomotive design or model to exceed:

(i) 82 dB(A) if the average sound level for a locomotive design or model is less than 82 dB(A); or

(ii) 85 dB(A) if the average sound level for a locomotive design or model is 82 dB(A) to 85 dB(A), inclusive,

(3) The railroad or manufacturer shall follow the static test protocols set forth in appendix H of this part to determine compliance with paragraph (a)(1) of this section; and, to the extent reasonably necessary to evaluate the effect of alterations during maintenance, to determine compliance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

(b) Maintenance of locomotives. (1) If a railroad receives an excessive noise report, and if the condition giving rise to the noise is not required to be immediately corrected under part 229, the railroad shall maintain a record of the report, and repair or replace the item identified as substantially contributing to the noise:

(i) On or before the next periodic inspection required by § 229.23; or

(ii) If the railroad determines that the repair or replacement of the item requires significant shop or material resources that are not readily available, at the time of the next major equipment repair commonly used for the particular type of maintenance needed.

(2) Conditions that may lead a locomotive cab occupant to file an excessive noise report include, but are not limited to: defective cab window seals; defective cab door seals; broken or inoperative windows; deteriorated insulation or insulation that has been removed for other reasons; broken or inoperative doors; and air brakes that vent inside of the cab.

(3) A railroad has an obligation to respond to an excessive noise report that a locomotive cab occupant files. The railroad meets its obligation to respond to an excessive noise report, as set forth in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, if the railroad makes a good faith effort to identify the cause of the reported noise, and where the railroad is successful in determining the cause, if the railroad repairs or replaces the items cause the noise.

(4) Recordkeeping. (i) A railroad shall maintain a written or electronic record of any excessive noise report, inspection, test, maintenance, replacement, or repair completed pursuant to § 229.121(b) and the date on which that inspection, test, maintenance, replacement, or repair occurred. If a railroad elects to maintain an electronic record, the railroad must satisfy the conditions listed in § 227.121(a)(2)(i) through (v).

(ii) The railroad shall retain these records for 92 days if they are made pursuant to § 229.21, or for one year if they are made pursuant to § 229.23.

(iii) The railroad shall establish an internal, auditable, monitorable system that contains these records.

(a) Each lead locomotive shall be equipped with a pilot, snowplow, or end plate that extends across both rails. The minimum clearance above the rail of the pilot, snowplow or end plate shall be 3 inches. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the maximum clearance shall be 6 inches. When the locomotive is equipped with a combination of the equipment listed in this paragraph, each extending across both rails, only the lowest piece of that equipment must satisfy clearance requirements of this section.

(b) To provide clearance for passing over retarders, locomotives utilized in hump yard or switching service at hump yard locations may have pilot, snowplow, or end plate maximum height of 9 inches.

(1) Each locomotive equipped with a pilot, snowplow, or end plate with clearance above 6 inches shall be prominently stenciled at each end of the locomotive with the words “9-inch Maximum End Plate Height, Yard or Trail Service Only.”

(2) When operated in switching service in a leading position, locomotives with a pilot, snowplow, or end plate clearance above 6 inches shall be limited to 10 miles per hour over grade crossings.

(3) Train crews shall be notified in writing of the restrictions on the locomotive, by label or stencil in the cab, or by written operating instruction given to the crew and maintained in the cab of the locomotive.

(4) Pilot, snowplow, or end plate clearance above 6 inches shall be noted in the remarks section of Form FRA 6180-49a.

(5) Locomotives with a pilot, snowplow, or end plate clearance above 6 inches shall not be placed in the lead position when being moved under section § 229.9.

(a) Each lead locomotive used in road service shall illuminate its headlight while the locomotive is in use. When illuminated, the headlight shall produce a peak intensity of at least 200,000 candela and produce at least 3,000 candela at an angle of 7.5 degrees and at least 400 candela at an angle of 20 degrees from the centerline of the locomotive when the light is aimed parallel to the tracks. If a locomotive or locomotive consist in road service is regularly required to run backward for any portion of its trip other than to pick up a detached portion of its train or to make terminal movements, it shall also have on its rear a headlight that meets the intensity requirements above. Each headlight shall be aimed to illuminate a person at least 800 feet ahead and in front of the headlight. For purposes of this section, a headlight shall be comprised of either one or two lamps.

(1) If a locomotive is equipped with a single-lamp headlight, the single lamp shall produce a peak intensity of at least 200,000 candela and shall produce at least 3,000 candela at an angle of 7.5 degrees and at least 400 candela at an angle of 20 degrees from the centerline of the locomotive when the light is aimed parallel to the tracks. The following operative lamps meet the standard set forth in this paragraph: a single incandescent PAR-56, 200-watt, 30-volt lamp; a single halogen PAR-56, 200-watt, 30-volt lamp; a single halogen PAR-56, 350-watt, 75-volt lamp, or a single lamp meeting the intensity requirements given above.

(2) If a locomotive is equipped with a dual-lamp headlight, a peak intensity of at least 200,000 candela and at least 3,000 candela at an angle of 7.5 degrees and at least 400 candela at an angle of 20 degrees from the centerline of the locomotive when the light is aimed parallel to the tracks shall be produced by the headlight based either on a single lamp capable of individually producing the required peak intensity or on the candela produced by the headlight with both lamps illuminated. If both lamps are needed to produce the required peak intensity, then both lamps in the headlight shall be operational. The following operative lamps meet the standard set forth in this paragraph (a)(2): A single incandescent PAR-56, 200-watt, 30-volt lamp; a single halogen PAR-56, 200-watt, 30-volt lamp; a single halogen PAR-56, 350-watt, 75-volt lamp; two incandescent PAR-56, 350-watt, 75-volt lamps; or lamp(s) meeting the intensity requirements given above.

(i) A locomotive equipped with the two incandescent PAR-56, 350-watt, 75 volt lamps which has an en route failure of one lamp in the headlight fixture, may continue in service as a lead locomotive until its next daily inspection required by § 229.21 only if:

(A) Auxiliary lights burn steadily;

(B) Auxiliary lights are aimed horizontally parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive or aimed to cross no less than 400 feet in front of the locomotive.

(C) Second headlight lamp and both auxiliary lights continue to operate.

(ii) [Reserved]

(b) Each locomotive or locomotive consist used in yard service shall have two headlights, one located on the front of the locomotive or locomotive consist and one on its rear. Each headlight shall produce at least 60,000 candela and shall be arranged to illuminate a person at least 300 feet ahead and in front of the headlight.

(c) Headlights shall be provided with a device to dim the light.

(d) Effective December 31, 1997, each lead locomotive operated at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour over one or more public highway-rail crossings shall be equipped with operative auxiliary lights, in addition to the headlight required by paragraph (a) or (b) of this section. A locomotive equipped on March 6, 1996 with auxiliary lights in conformance with § 229.133 shall be deemed to conform to this section until March 6, 2000. All locomotives in compliance with § 229.133(c) shall be deemed to conform to this section. Auxiliary lights shall be composed as follows:

(1) Two white auxiliary lights shall be placed at the front of the locomotive to form a triangle with the headlight.

(i) The auxiliary lights shall be at least 36 inches above the top of the rail, except on MU locomotives and control cab locomotives where such placement would compromise the integrity of the car body or be otherwise impractical. Auxiliary lights on such MU locomotives and control cab locomotives shall be at least 24 inches above the top of the rail.

(ii) The auxiliary lights shall be spaced at least 36 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the auxiliary lights is 60 inches or more.

(iii) The auxiliary lights shall be spaced at least 60 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the auxiliary lights is less than 60 inches.

(2) Each auxiliary light shall produce a peak intensity of at least 200,000 candela or shall produce at least 3,000 candela at an angle of 7.5 degrees and at least 400 candela at an angle of 20 degrees from the centerline of the locomotive when the light is aimed parallel to the tracks. Any of the following operative lamps meet the standard set forth in this paragraph: an incandescent PAR-56, 200-watt, 30-volt lamp; a halogen PAR-56, 200-watt, 30-volt lamp; a halogen PAR-56, 350-watt, 75-volt lamp; an incandescent PAR-56, 350-watt, 75-volt lamp; or a single lamp having equivalent intensities at the specified angles.

(3) The auxiliary lights shall be aimed horizontally within 15 degrees of the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive.

(e) Auxiliary lights required by paragraph (d) of this section may be arranged

(1) To burn steadily or

(2) Flash on approach to a crossing.

If the auxiliary lights are arranged to flash;

(i) They shall flash alternately at a rate of at least 40 flashes per minute and at most 180 flashes per minute,

(ii) The railroad's operating rules shall set a standard procedure for use of flashing lights at public highway-rail grade crossings, and

(iii) The flashing feature may be activated automatically, but shall be capable of manual activation and deactivation by the locomotive engineer.

(f) Auxiliary lights required by paragraph (d) of this section shall be continuously illuminated immediately prior to and during movement of the locomotive, except as provided by railroad operating rules, timetable or special instructions, unless such exception is disapproved by FRA. A railroad may except use of auxiliary lights at a specific public highway-rail grade crossing by designating that exception in the railroad's operating rules, timetable, or a special order. Any exception from use of auxiliary lights at a specific public grade crossing can be disapproved for a stated cause by FRA's Associate Administrator for Safety or any one of FRA's Regional Administrators, after investigation by FRA and opportunity for response from the railroad.

(g) Movement of locomotives with defective auxiliary lights.

(1) A lead locomotive with only one failed auxiliary light must be repaired or switched to a trailing position before departure from the place where an initial terminal inspection is required for that train.

(2) A locomotive with only one auxiliary light that has failed after departure from an initial terminal, must be repaired not later than the next calendar inspection required by § 229.21.

(3) A lead locomotive with two failed auxiliary lights may only proceed to the next place where repairs can be made. This movement must be consistent with § 229.9.

(h) Any locomotive subject to Part 229, that was built before December 31, 1948, and that is not used regularly in commuter or intercity passenger service, shall be considered historic equipment and excepted from the requirements of paragraphs (d) through (h) of this section.

(a) Each locomotive shall have cab lights which will provide sufficient illumination for the control instruments, meters, and gauges to enable the engine crew to make accurate readings from their normal positions in the cab. These lights shall be located, constructed, and maintained so that light shines only on those parts requiring illumination and does not interfere with the crew's vision of the track and signals. Each controlling locomotive shall also have a conveniently located light that can be readily turned on and off by the persons operating the locomotive and that provides sufficient illumination for them to read train orders and timetables.

(b) Cab passageways and compartments shall have adequate illumination.

(a) Each lead locomotive shall be equipped with a locomotive horn that produces a minimum sound level of 96 dB(A) and a maximum sound level of 110 dB(A) at 100 feet forward of the locomotive in its direction of travel. The locomotive horn shall be arranged so that it can be conveniently operated from the engineer's usual position during operation of the locomotive.

(b)(1) Each locomotive built on or after September 18, 2006 shall be tested in accordance with this section to ensure that the horn installed on such locomotive is in compliance with paragraph (a) of this section. Locomotives built on or after September 18, 2006 may, however, be tested in accordance with an acceptance sampling scheme such that there is a probability of .05 or less of rejecting a lot with a proportion of defectives equal to an AQL of 1% or less, as set forth in 7 CFR part 43.

(2) Each locomotive built before September 18, 2006 shall be tested in accordance with this section before June 24, 2010 to ensure that the horn installed on such locomotive is in compliance with paragraph (a) of this section.

(3) Each remanufactured locomotive, as determined pursuant to § 229.5 of this part, shall be tested in accordance with this section to ensure that the horn installed on such locomotive is in compliance with paragraph (a).

(4)(i) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section, each locomotive equipped with a replacement locomotive horn shall be tested, in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section, before the next two annual tests required by § 229.27 of this part are completed.

(ii) Locomotives that have already been tested individually or through acceptance sampling, in accordance with paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), or (b)(3) of this section, shall not be required to undergo sound level testing when equipped with a replacement locomotive horn, provided the replacement locomotive horn is of the same model as the locomotive horn that was replaced and the mounting location and type of mounting are the same.

(c) Testing of the locomotive horn sound level shall be in accordance with the following requirements:

(1) A properly calibrated sound level meter shall be used that, at a minimum, complies with the requirements of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 61672-1 (2002-05) for a Class 2 instrument.

(2) An acoustic calibrator shall be used that, at a minimum, complies with the requirements of IEC standard 60942 (1997-11) for a Class 2 instrument.

(3) The manufacturer's instructions pertaining to mounting and orienting the microphone; positioning of the observer; and periodic factory recalibration shall be followed.

(4) A microphone windscreen shall be used and tripods or similar microphone mountings shall be used that minimize interference with the sound being measured.

(5) The test site shall be free of large reflective structures, such as barriers, hills, billboards, tractor trailers or other large vehicles, locomotives or rail cars on adjacent tracks, bridges or buildings, within 200 feet to the front and sides of the locomotive. The locomotive shall be positioned on straight, level track.

(6) Measurements shall be taken only when ambient air temperature is between 32 degrees and 104 degrees Fahrenheit inclusively; relative humidity is between 20 percent and 95 percent inclusively; wind velocity is not more than 12 miles per hour and there is no precipitation.

(7) With the exception of cab-mounted or low-mounted horns, the microphone shall be located 100 feet forward of the front knuckle of the locomotive, 15 feet above the top of the rail, at an angle no greater than 20 degrees from the center line of the track, and oriented with respect to the sound source according to the manufacturer's recommendations. For cab-mounted and low-mounted horns, the microphone shall be located 100 feet forward of the front knuckle of the locomotive, four feet above the top of the rail, at an angle no greater than 20 degrees from the center line of the track, and oriented with respect to the sound source according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The observer shall not stand between the microphone and the horn.

(8) Background noise shall be minimal: the sound level at the test site immediately before and after each horn sounding event shall be at least 10 dB(A) below the level measured during the horn sounding.

(9) Measurement procedures. The sound level meter shall be set for A-weighting with slow exponential response and shall be calibrated with the acoustic calibrator immediately before and after compliance tests. Any change in the before and after calibration levels shall be less than 0.5 dB. After the output from the locomotive horn system has reached a stable level, the A-weighted equivalent sound level (slow response) for a 10-second duration (LAeq, 10s) shall be obtained either directly using an integrating-averaging sound level meter, or recorded once per second and calculated indirectly. The arithmetic-average of a series of at least six such 10-second duration readings shall be used to determine compliance. The standard deviation of the readings shall be less than 1.5 dB.

(10) Written reports of locomotive horn testing required by this part shall be made and shall reflect horn type; the date, place, and manner of testing; and sound level measurements. These reports, which shall be signed by the person who performs the test, shall be retained by the railroad, at a location of its choice, until a subsequent locomotive horn test is completed and shall be made available, upon request, to FRA as provided by 49 U.S.C. 20107.

(d) This section does not apply to locomotives of rapid transit operations which are otherwise subject to this part.

(a) Prior to departure from an initial terminal, each locomotive, except for MU locomotives, shall be equipped with operative sanders that deposit sand on each rail in front of the first power operated wheel set in the direction of movement or shall be handled in accordance with the requirements contained in § 229.9.

(b) A locomotive being used in road service with sanders that become inoperative after departure from an initial terminal shall be handled in accordance with the following:

(1) A lead locomotive being used in road service that experiences inoperative sanders after departure from an initial terminal may continue in service until the earliest of the following occurrences:

(i) Arrival at the next initial terminal;

(ii) Arrival at a location where it is placed in a facility with a sand delivery system;

(iii) The next periodic inspection under § 229.23; or

(iv) Fourteen calendar days from the date the sanders are first discovered to be inoperative; and

(2) A trailing locomotive being used in road service that experiences inoperative sanders after departure from an initial terminal may continue in service until the earliest of the following occurrence:

(i) Arrival at the next initial terminal;

(ii) Arrival at a location where it is placed in a facility with a sand delivery system; or

(iii) The next periodic inspection under § 229.23.

(c) A locomotive being used in switching service shall be equipped with operative sanders that deposit sand on each rail in front of the first power operated wheel set in the direction of movement. If the sanders become inoperative, the locomotive shall be handled in accordance with the following:

(1) A locomotive being used in switching service at a location not equipped with a sand delivery system may continue in service for seven calendar days from the date the sanders are first discovered inoperative or until its next periodic inspection under § 229.23, which ever occurs first; and

(2) A locomotive being used in switching service at locations equipped with a sand delivery system shall be handled in accordance with the requirements contained in § 229.9.

(d) A locomotive being handled under the provisions contained in paragraph (b) and (c)(1) of this section shall be tagged in accordance with § 229.9(a).

(a) A locomotive at the head of a train or other movement is authorized to be equipped with auxiliary external lights, additional to the headlight required by § 229.125, for the purpose of improved conspicuity. A locomotive that is equipped with auxiliary external lights in conformance with the specifications or performance standards set forth in paragraph (b) of this section on the date of issuance of a final rule that requires additional or other external lights on locomotives for improved conspicuity, as required by section 202(u) of the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970, shall be deemed to conform to the requirements of the final rule for four years following the date of issuance of that final rule.

(b) Each qualifying arrangement of auxiliary external lights shall conform to one of the following descriptions:

(1) Strobe lights. (i) Strobe lights shall consist of two white stroboscopic lights, each with “effective intensity,” as defined by the Illuminating Engineering Society's Guide for Calculating the Effective Intensity of Flashing Signal Lights (November 1964), of at least 500 candela.

(ii) The flash rate of strobe lights shall be at least 40 flashes per minute and at most 180 flashes per minute.

(iii) Strobe lights shall be placed at the front of the locomotive, at least 48 inches apart, and at least 36 inches above the top of the rail.

(2) Oscillating light. (i) An oscillating light shall consist of:

(A) One steadily burning white light producing at least 200,000 candela in a moving beam that depicts a circle or a horizontal figure “8” to the front, about the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive; or

(B) Two or more white lights producing at least 200,000 candela each, at one location on the front of the locomotive, that flash alternately with beams within five degrees horizontally to either side of the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive.

(ii) An oscillating light may incorporate a device that automatically extinguishes the white light if display of a light of another color is required to protect the safety of railroad operations.

(3) Crossing lights. (i) Crossing lights shall consist of two white lights, placed at the front of the locomotive, at least 36 inches above the top of the rail.

(ii) Crossing lights shall be spaced at least 36 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the ditch lights is 60 inches or more.

(iii) Crossing lights shall be spaced at least 60 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the ditch lights is less than 60 inches.

(iv) Each crossing light shall produce at least 200,000 candela, either steadily burning or alternately flashing.

(v) The flash rate of crossing lights shall be at least 40 flashes per minute and at most 180 flashes per minute.

(vi) Crossing lights shall be focused horizontally within 15 degrees of the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive.

(4) Oscillating light. (i) An oscillating light shall consist of:

(A) One steadily burning white light producing at least 200,000 candela in a moving beam that depicts a circle or a horizontal figure “8” to the front, about the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive; or

(B) Two or more white lights producing at least 200,000 candela each, at one location on the front of the locomotive, that flash alternately with beams within five degrees horizontally to either side of the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive.

(ii) An oscillating light may incorporate a device that automatically extinguishes the white light if display of a light of another color is required to protect the safety of railroad operations.

(c)(1) Any lead locomotive equipped with oscillating lights as described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section that were ordered for installation on that locomotive prior to January 1, 1996, is considered in compliance with § 229.125(d)(1) through (3).

(2) Any lead locomotive equipped with strobe lights as described in paragraph (b)(1) and operated at speeds no greater than 40 miles per hour, is considered in compliance with § 229.125(d)(1) through (3) until the locomotive is retired or rebuilt, whichever comes first.

(3) Any lead locomotive equipped with two white auxiliary lights spaced at least 44 inches apart on at least one axis which was equipped with these auxiliary lights before May 30, 1994, will be considered in compliance with § 229.125(d) (1) through (3) until the locomotive is retired or rebuilt, whichever comes first.

(a) Duty to equip and record. Except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, a train operated faster than 30 miles per hour shall have an in-service event recorder, of the type described in paragraph (b) of this section, in the lead locomotive. The presence of the event recorder shall be noted on Form FRA F6180-49A (by writing the make and model of event recorder with which the locomotive is equipped) under the REMARKS section, except that an event recorder designed to allow the locomotive to assume the lead position only if the recorder is properly functioning is not required to have its presence noted on Form FRA F6180-49A. For the purpose of this section, “train” includes a locomotive or group of locomotives with or without cars. The duty to equip the lead locomotive may be met with an event recorder located elsewhere than the lead locomotive provided that such event recorder monitors and records the required data as though it were located in the lead locomotive. The event recorder shall record the most recent 48 hours of operation of the electrical system of the locomotive on which it is installed.

(b) Equipment requirements. Event recorders shall monitor and record data elements required by this paragraph with at least the accuracy required of the indicators displaying any of the required elements to the engineer.

(1) A lead locomotive originally ordered before October 1, 2006, and placed in service before October 1, 2009, including a controlling remote distributed power locomotive, a lead manned helper locomotive, a DMU locomotive, and an MU locomotive, except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, shall have an in-service event recorder that records the following data elements:

(i) Train speed;

(ii) Selected direction of motion;

(iii) Time;

(iv) Distance;

(v) Throttle position;

(vi) Applications and operations of the train automatic air brake;

(vii) Applications and operations of the independent brake;

(viii) Applications and operations of the dynamic brake, if so equipped; and

(ix) Cab signal aspect(s), if so equipped and in use.

(2) A locomotive originally manufactured before October 1, 2006, and equipped with an event recorder that uses magnetic tape as its recording medium shall have the recorder removed from service on or before October 1, 2009 and replaced with an event recorder with a certified crashworthy event recorder memory module that meets the requirements of appendix D of this part and that records at least the same number of data elements as the recorder it replaces.

(3) A lead locomotive, a lead manned helper locomotive, and a controlling remotely distributed power locomotive, other than a DMU or MU locomotive, originally ordered on or after October 1, 2006 or placed in service on or after October 1, 2009, shall be equipped with an event recorder with a certified crashworthy event recorder memory module that meets the requirements of Appendix D of this part. The certified event recorder memory module shall be mounted for its maximum protection. (Although other mounting standards may meet this standard, an event recorder memory module mounted behind and below the top of the collision posts and above the platform level is deemed to be mounted “for its maximum protection.”) The event recorder shall record, and the certified crashworthy event recorder memory module shall retain, the following data elements:

(i) Train speed;

(ii) Selected direction of motion;

(iii) Time;

(iv) Distance;

(v) Throttle position;

(vi) Applications and operations of the train automatic air brake, including emergency applications. The system shall record, or provide a means of determining, that a brake application or release resulted from manipulation of brake controls at the position normally occupied by the locomotive engineer. In the case of a brake application or release that is responsive to a command originating from or executed by an on-board computer (e.g., electronic braking system controller, locomotive electronic control system, or train control computer), the system shall record, or provide a means of determining, the involvement of any such computer;

(vii) Applications and operations of the independent brake;

(viii) Applications and operations of the dynamic brake, if so equipped;

(ix) Cab signal aspect(s), if so equipped and in use;

(x) End-of-train (EOT) device loss of communication front to rear and rear to front;

(xi) Electronic controlled pneumatic braking (ECP) message (and loss of such message), if so equipped;

(xii) EOT armed, emergency brake command, emergency brake application;

(xiii) Indication of EOT valve failure;

(xiv) EOT brake pipe pressure (EOT and ECP devices);

(xv) EOT marker light on/off;

(xvi) EOT “low battery” status;

(xvii) Position of on/off switch for headlights on lead locomotive;

(xviii) Position of on/off switch for auxiliary lights on lead locomotive;

(xix) Horn control handle activation;

(xx) Locomotive number;

(xxi) Locomotive automatic brake valve cut in;

(xxii) Locomotive position in consist (lead or trail);

(xxiii) Tractive effort;

(xxiv) Cruise control on/off, if so equipped and in use; and

(xxv) Safety-critical train control data routed to the locomotive engineer's display with which the engineer is required to comply, specifically including text messages conveying mandatory directives and maximum authorized speed. The format, content, and proposed duration for retention of such data shall be specified in the Product Safety Plan or PTC Safety Plan submitted for the train control system under subparts H or I, respectively, of part 236 of this chapter, subject to FRA approval under this paragraph. If it can be calibrated against other data required by this part, such train control data may, at the election of the railroad, be retained in a separate certified crashworthy memory module.

(4) A DMU locomotive and an MU locomotive originally ordered on or after October 1, 2006 or placed in service on or after October 1, 2009, shall be equipped with an event recorder with a certified crashworthy event recorder memory module that meets the requirements of Appendix D of this part. The certified event recorder memory module shall be mounted for its maximum protection. (Although other mounting standards may meet this standard, an event recorder memory module mounted behind the collision posts and above the platform level is deemed to be mounted “for its maximum protection.”) The event recorder shall record, and the certified crashworthy event recorder memory module shall retain, the following data elements:

(i) Train speed;

(ii) Selected direction of motion;

(iii) Time;

(iv) Distance;

(v) Throttle position;

(vi) Applications and operations of the train automatic air brake, including emergency applications. The system shall record, or provide a means of determining, that a brake application or release resulted from manipulation of brake controls at the position normally occupied by the locomotive engineer. In the case of a brake application or release that is responsive to a command originating from or executed by an on-board computer (e.g., electronic braking system controller, locomotive electronic control system, or train control computer), the system shall record, or provide a means of determining, the involvement of any such computer;

(vii) Applications and operations of the independent brake, if so equipped;

(viii) Applications and operations of the dynamic brake, if so equipped;

(ix) Cab signal aspect(s), if so equipped and in use;

(x) Emergency brake application(s);

(xi) Wheel slip/slide alarm activation (with a property-specific minimum duration);

(xii) Lead locomotive headlight activation switch on/off;

(xiii) Lead locomotive auxiliary lights activation switch on/off;

(xiv) Horn control handle activation;

(xv) Locomotive number;

(xvi) Locomotive position in consist (lead or trail);

(xvii) Tractive effort;

(xviii) Brakes apply summary train line;

(xix) Brakes released summary train line;

(xx) Cruise control on/off, if so equipped and used; and

(xxi) Safety-critical train control data routed to the locomotive engineer's display with which the engineer is required to comply, specifically including text messages conveying mandatory directives and maximum authorized speed. The format, content, and proposed duration for retention of such data shall be specified in the Product Safety Plan or PTC Safety Plan submitted for the train control system under subparts H or I, respectively, of part 236 of this chapter, subject to FRA approval under this paragraph. If it can be calibrated against other data required by this part, such train control data may, at the election of the railroad, be retained in a separate certified crashworthy memory module.

(5) A locomotive equipped with an event recorder that is remanufactured, as defined in this part, on or after October 1, 2007, shall be equipped with an event recorder with a certified crashworthy event recorder memory module that meets the requirements of appendix D to this part and is capable of recording, at a minimum, the same data as the recorder that was on the locomotive before it was remanufactured.

(6) An event recorder originally manufactured after January 1, 2010, that is installed on any locomotive identified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section shall be an event recorder with a certified crashworthy event recorder memory module that meets the requirements of appendix D to this part and that is capable of recording, at a minimum, the same data as the event recorder that was previously on the locomotive.

(c) Removal from service. Notwithstanding the duty established in paragraph (a) of this section to equip certain locomotives with an in-service event recorder, a railroad may remove an event recorder from service and, if a railroad knows that an event recorder is not monitoring or recording required data, shall remove the event recorder from service. When a railroad removes an event recorder from service, a qualified person shall record the date that the device was removed from service on Form FRA F6180-49A, under the REMARKS section, unless the event recorder is designed to allow the locomotive to assume the lead position only if the recorder is properly functioning.

(d) Response to defective equipment. Notwithstanding the duty established in paragraph (a) of this section to equip certain locomotives with an in-service event recorder, a locomotive on which the event recorder has been taken out of service as provided in paragraph (c) of this section may remain as the lead locomotive only until the next calendar-day inspection. A locomotive with an inoperative event recorder is not deemed to be in improper condition, unsafe to operate, or a non-complying locomotive under §§ 229.7 and 229.9, and, other than the requirements of appendix D of this part, the inspection, maintenance, and testing of event recorders are limited to the requirements set forth in §§ 229.25(e) and 229.27(d).

(e) Preserving accident data. If any locomotive equipped with an event recorder, or any other locomotive-mounted recording device or devices designed to record information concerning the functioning of a locomotive or train, is involved in an accident/incident that is required to be reported to FRA under part 225 of this chapter, the railroad that was using the locomotive at the time of the accident shall, to the extent possible, and to the extent consistent with the safety of life and property, preserve the data recorded by each such device for analysis by FRA. This preservation requirement permits the railroad to extract and analyze such data, provided the original downloaded data file, or an unanalyzed exact copy of it, shall be retained in secure custody and shall not be utilized for analysis or any other purpose except by direction of FRA or the National Transportation Safety Board. This preservation requirement shall expire one (1) year after the date of the accident unless FRA or the Board notifies the railroad in writing that the data are desired for analysis.

(f) Relationship to other laws. Nothing in this section is intended to alter the legal authority of law enforcement officials investigating potential violation(s) of State criminal law(s), and nothing in this chapter is intended to alter in any way the priority of National Transportation Safety Board investigations under 49 U.S.C. 1131 and 1134, nor the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to investigate railroad accidents under 49 U.S.C. 5121, 5122, 20107, 20111, 20112, 20505, 20702, 20703, and 20902.

(g) Disabling event recorders. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, any individual who willfully disables an event recorder is subject to civil penalty and to disqualification from performing safety-sensitive functions on a railroad as provided in § 218.55 of this chapter, and any individual who tampers with or alters the data recorded by such a device is subject to a civil penalty as provided in appendix B of part 218 of this chapter and to disqualification from performing safety-sensitive functions on a railroad if found unfit for such duties under the procedures in part 209 of this chapter.

(a) Duty to equip and record. (1) Effective October 12, 2027, each lead locomotive of a train used in commuter or intercity passenger service must be equipped with an image recording system to record images of activities ahead of the locomotive in the direction of travel (outward-facing image recording device), and of activities inside the cab of the locomotive (inward-facing image recording device).

(i) If the lead locomotive is equipped with an image recording system, the system must be turned on and recording whenever a train is in motion, at all train speeds.

(ii) If operating circumstances cause the controlling locomotive to be other than the lead locomotive, railroads must also record images of activities inside the cab of the controlling locomotive.

(iii) Both cabs of a dual-cab locomotive shall be equipped with inward- and outward-facing image recording systems. Image recordings for only a dual-cab locomotive's active cab and the leading end of the locomotive's movement are required to be made and retained.

(2) Image recording systems installed after October 12, 2024, on new, remanufactured, or existing lead locomotives used in commuter or intercity passenger service shall meet the requirements of this section. Lead locomotives used in commuter or intercity passenger service must be equipped with an image recording system meeting the requirements of this section no later than October 12, 2027.

(3) For lead locomotives in commuter or intercity passenger service, railroads must note the presence of any image or audio recording systems in the REMARKS section of Form FRA F 6180-49AP in the locomotive cab.

(4) As required under paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section, the image recording system shall record at least the most recent 12 hours of operation of a lead locomotive in commuter or intercity passenger service.

(5) Locomotive recording device data for each lead locomotive used in commuter or intercity passenger service shall be recorded on a memory module meeting the requirements for a certified crashworthy event recorder memory module described in appendix D to this part, or on an alternative, remote storage system that provides at least equivalent data protections and is approved by FRA under paragraph (g) of this section.

(i) Paragraph (a)(5) of this section applies to locomotive image recording systems as required under paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section.

(ii) Audio recording systems installed after October 12, 2024, on new, remanufactured, or existing lead locomotives used in commuter or intercity passenger service shall meet the requirements of paragraph (a)(5) of this section. Audio recording systems installed on lead locomotives in commuter or intercity passenger service must meet the requirements of paragraph (a)(5) of this section no later than October 12, 2027.

(b) Outward-facing recording system requirements for lead locomotives in commuter or intercity passenger service. (1) As required under paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section, the image recording system shall:

(i) Include an image recording device aimed parallel to the centerline of tangent track within the gauge on the front end of the locomotive;

(ii) Be able to distinguish the signal aspects displayed by wayside signals;

(iii) Record at a minimum frame rate of 15 frames per second (or its equivalent) and have sufficient resolution to record the position of switch points 50 feet in front of the locomotive;

(iv) Be able to capture images in daylight or with normal nighttime illumination from the headlight of the locomotive; and

(v) Include an accurate time and date stamp on image recordings.

(2) If a lead locomotive in commuter or intercity passenger service experiences a technical failure of its outward-facing image recording system, then the system shall be removed from service and handled in accordance with paragraph (i) of this section.

(c) Inward-facing image recording system requirements for lead locomotives in commuter or intercity passenger service. (1) As required under paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section, the image recording system shall include an image recording device positioned to provide complete coverage of all areas of the controlling locomotive cab where a crewmember typically may be positioned, including complete coverage of the instruments and controls required to operate the controlling locomotive in normal use, and:

(i) Have sufficient resolution to record crewmember actions;

(ii) Record at a minimum frame rate of 5 frames per second;

(iii) Be capable of using ambient light in the cab, and when ambient light levels drop too low for normal operation, automatically switch to infrared or another operating mode that enables the recording sufficient clarity to comply with the requirements of this paragraph (c)(1); and

(iv) Include an accurate time and date stamp on image recordings.

(2) No image recordings may be made of any activities within a locomotive's sanitation compartment as defined in § 229.5, and no image recording device shall be installed in a location where the device can record activities within a sanitation compartment.

(3) If a lead locomotive in commuter or intercity passenger service experiences a technical failure of its inward-facing image recording system, the system shall be removed from service and handled in accordance with paragraph (i) of this section.

(d) Image and audio recording system protection requirements for lead locomotives in commuter or intercity passenger service. Railroads must provide convenient wired or wireless connections to allow authorized railroad personnel to download audio or image recordings from any certified crashworthy event recorder memory module in a lead locomotive in commuter or intercity passenger service. The railroads must use electronic security measures, and apply appropriate cybersecurity measures, to prevent unauthorized access to, and download, deletion, or alteration of, the recording system or its recordings.

(1) Paragraph (d) of this section applies to locomotive image recording systems as required under paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section.

(2) Audio recording systems installed after October 12, 2024, on new, remanufactured, or existing lead locomotives used in commuter or intercity passenger service shall meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section. Audio recording devices installed on lead locomotives in commuter or intercity passenger service must meet the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section no later than October 12, 2027.

(e) Inspection, testing, and maintenance for image recording systems on lead locomotives in commuter or intercity passenger service. As required under paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section, the image recording system shall have self-monitoring features to assess whether the system is operating properly, including whether the system is powered on.

(1) If a fault with the image recording system is detected, the locomotive may be used in the lead position only in accordance with paragraph (i) of this section.

(2) As required under paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section, at each annual test required under § 229.27, the railroad conducting the inspection shall take sample download(s) from the image recording system's crashworthy event recorder memory module, or an FRA-approved equivalent under paragraph (g) of this section, to confirm proper operation of the system, and, if necessary, repair the system to full operation.

(f) Handling of recordings—(1) Chain-of-custody procedure. Each railroad with locomotives in commuter or intercity passenger service subject to this section shall adopt, maintain, and comply with a chain-of-custody procedure governing the handling and the release of the locomotive image recordings described in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section and any locomotive audio recordings. The chain-of-custody procedure must specifically address the preservation and handling requirements for post-accident/incident recordings provided to FRA or other Federal agencies under paragraph (f)(2) of this section.

(2) Accident/incident preservation. If any locomotive in commuter or intercity passenger service equipped with an image or audio recording system is involved in an accident/incident that must be reported to FRA under part 225 of this chapter, the railroad that was using the locomotive at the time of the accident shall, to the extent possible, and to the extent consistent with the safety of life and property, preserve the data recorded by each such device for analysis by FRA or other Federal agencies. A railroad must either provide the image and/or audio data in a format readable by FRA or other Federal agencies; or make available to FRA or other Federal agencies any platform, software, media device, etc., that is required to play back the image and/or audio data. This preservation requirement shall expire one (1) year after the date of the accident, unless FRA or another Federal agency notifies the railroad in writing that it must preserve the recording longer. Railroads may extract and analyze such data for the purposes described in paragraph (f)(3) of this section, only if:

(i) The original downloaded data file, or an unanalyzed exact copy of it, is retained in secure custody under the railroad's procedure adopted under paragraph (f)(1) of this section; and

(ii) The original downloaded data file, or an unanalyzed exact copy of it, is not utilized for any other purpose, except by direction of FRA or another Federal agency.

(3) Recording uses. A railroad may use the image and audio recordings from a locomotive in commuter or intercity passenger service subject to this section to:

(i) Investigate an accident/incident that is required to be reported to FRA under part 225 of this chapter;

(ii) Investigate a violation of a Federal railroad safety law, regulation, or order, or a railroad's operating rules and procedures;

(iii) Conduct an operational test under § 217.9 of this chapter;

(iv) Monitor for unauthorized occupancy of a locomotive's cab or a control cab locomotive's operating compartment;

(v) Investigate a violation of a criminal law;

(vi) Assist Federal agencies in the investigation of a suspected or confirmed act of terrorism; or

(vii) Perform inspection, testing, maintenance, or repair activities to ensure the proper installation and functioning of an image or audio recorder.

(g) Locomotive image recording system approval process. Each railroad with locomotives in commuter or intercity passenger service subject to this section must provide the FRA Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and Chief Safety Officer with a description of the technical aspects of any locomotive image recording system installed to comply with this section. The required description must be submitted via electronic mail to the following email address: [email protected].

(1) The description must include information specifically addressing the image recording system's:

(i) Minimum 12-hour continuous recording capability;

(ii) Crashworthiness; and

(iii) Post-accident accessibility of the system's recordings.

(2) The railroad must submit the statement not less than 90 days before the installation of such image recording system, or, for existing systems, not more than 60 days after November 13, 2023.

(3) The FRA Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and Chief Safety Officer will review a railroad's submission and must approve any locomotive image recording system intended to comply with this section before the system can be installed or put into service. FRA may disapprove any locomotive image recording systems that do not meet the requirements of this section.

(h) Relationship to other laws. Nothing in this section is intended to alter the legal authority of law enforcement officials investigating potential violation(s) of State criminal law(s), and nothing in this section is intended to alter in any way the priority of investigations under 49 U.S.C. 1131 and 1134, or the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to investigate railroad accidents under 49 U.S.C. 5121, 5122, 20107, 20111, 20112, 20505, 20702, 20703, and 20902.

(i) Removal of device from service and handling for repair. A railroad may remove from service an image recording device on a locomotive in commuter or intercity passenger service, and must remove the device from service if the railroad knows the device is not properly recording. When a railroad removes a locomotive image recording device from service, a qualified person shall record the date the device was removed from service on Form FRA F 6180-49AP, under the REMARKS section. Except as provided in this paragraph, a locomotive on which an image recording device has been taken out of service as provided in this paragraph may remain as the lead locomotive only until the next calendar-day inspection required under § 229.21. A locomotive with an inoperative image recording device alone is not deemed to be in an improper condition, unsafe to operate, or a non-complying locomotive under §§ 229.7 and 229.9. A locomotive in a long-distance intercity passenger train, as defined in § 238.5 of this chapter, with a non-operational image recording device may remain as the lead locomotive until arrival at its destination terminal or its nearest forward point of repair, whichever occurs first.

(j) Disabling or interfering with locomotive-mounted audio and video recording equipment. Any individual who willfully disables or interferes with the intended functioning of locomotive-mounted image or audio recording system equipment on a passenger locomotive, or who tampers with or alters the data recorded by such equipment, is subject to a civil penalty and to disqualification from performing safety-sensitive functions on a railroad as provided in parts 209 and 218 of this chapter.

(k) As used in this section—Train means (1) A single locomotive;

(2) Multiple locomotives coupled together; or

(3) One or more locomotives coupled with one or more cars.

(l) Freight rescue locomotives. The requirements of this section do not apply to a freight locomotive when used to haul a passenger train due to the failure of a passenger locomotive.

(a) Sanitation compartment. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, all lead locomotives in use shall be equipped with a sanitation compartment. Each sanitation compartment shall be:

(1) Adequately ventilated;

(2) Equipped with a door that:

(i) Closes, and

(ii) Possesses a modesty lock by [18 months after publication of the final rule];

(3) Equipped with a toilet facility, as defined in this part;

(4) Equipped with a washing system, as defined in this part, unless the railroad otherwise provides the washing system to employees upon reporting for duty or occupying the cab for duty, or where the locomotive is equipped with a stationary sink that is located outside of the sanitation compartment;

(5) Equipped with toilet paper in sufficient quantity to meet employee needs, unless the railroad otherwise provides toilet paper to employees upon reporting for duty or occupying the cab for duty; and

(6) Equipped with a trash receptacle, unless the railroad otherwise provides portable trash receptacles to employees upon reporting for duty or occupying the cab for duty.

(b) Exceptions. (1) Paragraph (a) of this section shall not apply to:

(i) Locomotives engaged in commuter service or other short-haul passenger service and commuter work trains on which employees have ready access to railroad-provided sanitation facilities outside of the locomotive or elsewhere on the train, that meet otherwise applicable sanitation standards, at frequent intervals during the course of their work shift;

(ii) Locomotives engaged in switching service on which employees have ready access to railroad-provided sanitation facilities outside of the locomotive, that meet otherwise applicable sanitation standards, at frequent intervals during the course of their work shift;

(iii) Locomotives engaged in transfer service on which employees have ready access to railroad-provided sanitation facilities outside of the locomotive, that meet otherwise applicable sanitation standards, at frequent intervals during the course of their work shift;

(iv) Locomotives of Class III railroads engaged in operations other than switching service or transfer service, that are not equipped with a sanitation compartment as of June 3, 2002. Where an unequipped locomotive of a Class III railroad is engaged in operations other than switching or transfer service, employees shall have ready access to railroad-provided sanitation facilities outside of the locomotive that meet otherwise applicable sanitation standards, at frequent intervals during the course of their work shift, or the railroad shall arrange for enroute access to such facilities;

(v) Locomotives of tourist, scenic, historic, or excursion railroad operations, which are otherwise covered by this part because they are not propelled by steam power and operate on the general railroad system of transportation, but on which employees have ready access to railroad-provided sanitation facilities outside of the locomotive, that meet otherwise applicable sanitation standards, at frequent intervals during the course of their work shift; and

(vi) Except as provided in § 229.14 of this part, DMU, MU, and control cab locomotives designed for passenger occupancy and used in intercity push-pull service that are not equipped with sanitation facilities, where employees have ready access to railroad-provided sanitation in other passenger cars on the train at frequent intervals during the course of their work shift.

(2) Paragraph (a)(3) of this section shall not apply to:

(i) Locomotives of a Class I railroad which, prior to [the effective date of this section], were equipped with a toilet facility in which human waste falls via gravity to a holding tank where it is stored and periodically emptied, which does not conform to the definition of toilet facility set forth in this section. For these locomotives, the requirements of this section pertaining to the type of toilet facilities required shall be effective as these toilets become defective or are replaced with conforming units, whichever occurs first. All other requirements set forth in this section shall apply to these locomotives as of June 3, 2002; and

(ii) With respect to the locomotives of a Class I railroad which, prior to June 3, 2002, were equipped with a sanitation system other than the units addressed by paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, that contains and removes human waste by a method that does not conform with the definition of toilet facility as set forth in this section, the requirements of this section pertaining to the type of toilet facilities shall apply on locomotives in use on July 1, 2003. However, the Class I railroad subject to this exception shall not deliver locomotives with such sanitation systems to other railroads for use, in the lead position, during the time between June 3, 2002, and July 1, 2003. All other requirements set forth in this section shall apply to the locomotives of this Class I railroad as of June 3, 2002.

(c) Defective, unsanitary toilet facility; prohibition in lead position. Except as provided in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of this section, if the railroad determines during the daily inspection required by § 229.21 that a locomotive toilet facility is defective or is unsanitary, or both, the railroad shall not use the locomotive in the lead position. The railroad may continue to use a lead locomotive with a toilet facility that is defective or unsanitary as of the daily inspection only where all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The unsanitary or defective condition is discovered at a location where there are no other suitable locomotives available for use, ie., where it is not possible to switch another locomotive into the lead position, or the location is not equipped to clean the sanitation compartment if unsanitary or repair the toilet facility if defective;

(2) The locomotive, while noncompliant, did not pass through a location where it could have been cleaned if unsanitary, repaired if defective, or switched with another compliant locomotive, since its last daily inspection required by this part;

(3) Upon reasonable request of a locomotive crewmember operating a locomotive with a defective or unsanitary toilet facility, the railroad arranges for access to a toilet facility outside the locomotive that meets otherwise applicable sanitation standards;

(4) If the sanitation compartment is unsanitary, the sanitation compartment door shall be closed and adequate ventilation shall be provided in the cab so that it is habitable; and

(5) The locomotive shall not continue in service in the lead position beyond a location where the defective or unsanitary condition can be corrected or replaced with another compliant locomotive, or the next daily inspection required by this part, whichever occurs first.

(d) Defective, unsanitary toilet facility; use in trailing position. If the railroad determines during the daily inspection required by § 229.21 that a locomotive toilet facility is defective or is unsanitary, or both, the railroad may use the locomotive in trailing position. If the railroad places the locomotive in trailing position, they shall not haul employees in the unit unless the sanitation compartment is made sanitary prior to occupancy. If the toilet facility is defective and the unit becomes occupied, the railroad shall clearly mark the defective toilet facility as unavailable for use.

(e) Defective, sanitary toilet facility; use in switching, transfer service. If the railroad determines during the daily inspection required by § 229.21 that a locomotive toilet facility is defective, but sanitary, the railroad may use the locomotive in switching service, as set forth in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, or in transfer service, as set forth in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section for a period not to exceed 10 days. In this instance, the railroad shall clearly mark the defective toilet facility as unavailable for use. After expiration of the 10-day period, the locomotive shall be repaired or used in the trailing position.

(f) Lack of toilet paper, washing system, trash receptacle. If the railroad determines during the daily inspection required by § 229.21 that the lead locomotive is not equipped with toilet paper in sufficient quantity to meet employee needs, or a washing system as required by paragraph (a)(4) of this section, or a trash receptacle as required by paragraph (a)(6) of this section, the locomotive shall be equipped with these items prior to departure.

(g) Inadequate ventilation. If the railroad determines during the daily inspection required by § 229.21 that the sanitation compartment of the lead locomotive in use is not adequately ventilated as required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the railroad shall repair the ventilation prior to departure, or place the locomotive in trailing position, in switching service as set forth in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, or in transfer service as set forth in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section.

(h) Door closure and modesty lock. If the railroad determines during the daily inspection required by § 229.21 that the sanitation compartment on the lead locomotive is not equipped with a door that closes, as required by paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section, the railroad shall repair the door prior to departure, or place the locomotive in trailing position, in switching service as set forth in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, or in transfer service as set forth in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section. If the railroad determines during the daily inspection required by § 229.21 that the modesty lock required by paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section is defective, the modesty lock shall be repaired pursuant to the requirements of § 229.139(e).

(i) Equipped units; retention and maintenance. Except where a railroad downgrades a locomotive to service in which it will never be occupied, where a locomotive is equipped with a toilet facility as of [the effective date of the final rule], the railroad shall retain and maintain the toilet facility in the locomotive consistent with the requirements of this part, including locomotives used in switching service pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, and in transfer service pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section.

(j) Newly manufactured units; in-cab facilities. All locomotives manufactured after June 3, 2002, except switching units built exclusively for switching service and locomotives built exclusively for commuter service, shall be equipped with a sanitation compartment accessible to cab employees without exiting to the out-of-doors for use. No railroad may use a locomotive built after June 3, 2002, that does not comply with this subsection.

(k) Potable water. The railroad shall utilize potable water where the washing system includes the use of water.

(a) The sanitation compartment of each lead locomotive in use shall be sanitary.

(b) All components required by § 229.137(a) for the lead locomotive in use shall be present consistent with the requirements of this part, and shall operate as intended such that:

(1) All mechanical systems shall function;

(2) Water shall be present in sufficient quantity to permit flushing;

(3) For those systems that utilize chemicals for treatment, the chemical (chlorine or other comparable oxidizing agent) used to treat waste must be present; and

(4) No blockage is present that prevents waste from evacuating the bowl.

(c) The sanitation compartment of each occupied locomotive used in switching service pursuant to § 229.137(b)(1)(ii), in transfer service pursuant to § 229.137(b)(1)(iii), or in a trailing position when the locomotive is occupied, shall be sanitary.

(d) Where the railroad uses a locomotive pursuant to § 229.137(e) in switching or transfer service with a defective toilet facility, such use shall not exceed 10 calendar days from the date on which the defective toilet facility became defective. The date on which the toilet facility becomes defective shall be entered on the daily inspection report.

(e) Where it is determined that the modesty lock required by § 229.137(a)(2) is defective, the railroad shall repair the modesty lock on or before the next 92-day inspection required by this part.

(a) Except for locomotives covered by part 238 of this chapter, each of the following locomotives shall be equipped with a functioning alerter as described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section:

(1) A locomotive that is placed in service for the first time on or after June 10, 2013, when used as a controlling locomotive and operated at speeds in excess of 25 mph.

(2) All controlling locomotives operated at speeds in excess of 25 mph on or after January 1, 2017.

(b) The alerter on locomotives subject to paragraph (a) of this section shall be equipped with a manual reset and the alerter warning timing cycle shall automatically reset as the result of any of the following operations, and at least three of the following automatic resets shall be functional at any given time:

(1) Movement of the throttle handle;

(2) Movement of the dynamic brake control handle;

(3) Movement of the operator's horn activation handle;

(4) Movement of the operator's bell activation switch;

(5) Movement of the automatic brake valve handle; or

(6) Bailing the independent brake by depressing the independent brake valve handle.

(c) All alerters shall provide an audio alarm upon expiration of the timing cycle interval. An alerter on a locomotive that is placed in service for the first time on or after June 10, 2013, shall display a visual indication to the operator at least five seconds prior to an audio alarm. The visual indication on an alerter so equipped shall be visible to the operator from their normal position in the cab.

(d) Alerter warning timing cycle interval shall be within 10 seconds of the calculated setting utilizing the formula (timing cycle specified in seconds = 2400 ÷ track speed specified in miles per hour). For locomotives operating at speeds below 20 mph, the interval shall be between 110 seconds and 130 seconds.

(e) Any locomotive that is equipped with an alerter shall have the alerter functioning and operating as intended when the locomotive is used as a controlling locomotive.

(f) A controlling locomotive equipped with an alerter shall be tested prior to departure from each initial terminal, or prior to being coupled as the lead locomotive in a locomotive consist by allowing the warning timing cycle to expire that results in an application of the locomotive brakes at a penalty rate.

(a) MU locomotives built new after April 1, 1956 that are operated in trains having a total empty weight of 600,000 pounds or more shall have a body structure designed to meet or exceed the following minimum specifications:

(1) The body structure shall resist a minimum static end load of 800,000 pounds at the rear draft stops ahead of the bolster on the center line of draft, without developing any permanent deformation in any member of the body structure.

(2) An anti-climbing arrangement shall be applied at each end that is designed so that coupled MU locomotives under full compression shall mate in a manner that will resist one locomotive from climbing the other. This arrangement shall resist a vertical load of 100,000 pounds without exceeding the yield point of its various parts or its attachments to the body structure.

(3) The coupler carrier and its connections to the body structure shall be designed to resist a vertical downward thrust from the coupler shank of 100,000 pounds for any horizontal position of the coupler, without exceeding the yield points of the materials used. When yielding type of coupler carrier is used, an auxiliary arrangement shall be provided that complies with these requirements.

(4) The outside end of each locomotive shall be provided with two main vertical members, one at each side of the diaphragm opening; each main member shall have an ultimate shear value of not less than 300,000 pounds at a point even with the top of the underframe member to which it is attached. The attachment of these members at bottom shall be sufficient to develop their full shear value. If reinforcement is used to provide the shear value, the reinforcement shall have full value for a distance of 18 inches up from the underframe connection and then taper to a point approximately 30 inches above the underframe connection.

(5) The strength of the means of locking the truck to the body shall be at least the equivalent of an ultimate shear value of 250,000 pounds.

(6) On or after November 8, 1999, paragraph (a)(1) of this section does not apply to “passenger equipment” as defined in § 238.5 of this chapter, unless such equipment is excluded from the requirements of §§ 238.203 through 238.219, and § 238.223 of this chapter by operation of § 238.201(a)(2) of this chapter. Paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(4) of this section do not apply to “passenger equipment” as defined in § 238.5 of this chapter that is placed in service for the first time on or after September 8, 2000, unless such equipment is excluded from the requirements of §§ 238.203 through 238.219, and § 238.223 of this chapter by operation of § 238.201(a)(2) of this chapter.

(b) MU locomotives built new after April 1, 1956 that are operated in trains having a total empty weight of less than 600,000 pounds shall have a body structure designed to meet or exceed the following minimum specifications:

(1) The body structure shall resist a minimum static end load of 400,000 pounds at the rear draft stops ahead of the bolster on the center line of draft, without developing any permanent deformation in any member of the body structure.

(2) An anti-climbing arrangement shall be applied at each end that is designed so that coupled locomotives under full compression shall mate in a manner that will resist one locomotive from climbing the other. This arrangement shall resist a vertical load of 75,000 pounds without exceeding the yield point of its various parts or its attachments to the body structure.

(3) The coupler carrier and its connections to the body structure shall be designed to resist a vertical downward thrust from the coupled shank of 75,000 pounds for any horizontal position of the coupler, without exceeding the yield points of the materials used. When a yielding type of coupler carrier is used, an auxiliary arrangement shall be provided that complies with these requirements.

(4) The outside end of each MU locomotive shall be provided with two main vertical members, one at each side of the diaphragm opening; each main member shall have an ultimate shear value of not less than 200,000 pounds at a point even with the top of the underframe member to which it is attached. The attachment of these members at bottom shall be sufficient to develop their full shear value, the reinforcement shall have full value for a distance of 18 inches up from the underframe connection and then taper to a point approximately 30 inches above the underframe connection.

(5) The strength of the means of locking the truck to the body shall be at least the equivalent of an ultimate shear value of 250,000 pounds.

(6) On or after November 8, 1999, paragraph (a)(1) of this section does not apply to “passenger equipment” as defined in § 238.5 of this chapter, unless such equipment is excluded from the requirements of §§ 238.203 through 238.219, and § 238.223 of this chapter by operation of § 238.201(a)(2) of this chapter. Paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(4) of this section do not apply to “passenger equipment” as defined in § 238.5 of this chapter that is placed in service for the first time on or after September 8, 2000, unless such equipment is excluded from the requirements of §§ 238.203 through 238.219, and § 238.223 of this chapter by operation of § 238.201(a)(2) of this chapter.