[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR213.122]

[Page 111-112]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 213--TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
                       Subpart D--Track Structure
 
Sec. 213.122  Torch cut rail.

    (a) Except as a temporary repair in emergency situations no rail 
having a torch cut end shall be used in Classes 3 through 5 track. When 
a rail end is torch cut in emergency situations, train speed over that 
rail end shall not exceed the maximum allowable for Class 2 track. For 
existing torch cut

[[Page 112]]

rail ends in Classes 3 through 5 track the following shall apply--
    (1) Within one year of September 21, 1998, all torch cut rail ends 
in Class 5 track shall be removed;
    (2) Within two years of September 21, 1998, all torch cut rail ends 
in Class 4 track shall be removed; and
    (3) Within one year of September 21, 1998, all torch cut rail ends 
in Class 3 track over which regularly scheduled passenger trains 
operate, shall be inventoried by the track owner.
    (b) Following the expiration of the time limits specified in 
paragraphs (a)(1), (2), and (3) of this section, any torch cut rail end 
not removed from Classes 4 and 5 track, or any torch cut rail end not 
inventoried in Class 3 track over which regularly scheduled passenger 
trains operate, shall be removed within 30 days of discovery. Train 
speed over that rail end shall not exceed the maximum allowable for 
Class 2 track until removed.