[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR213.121]

[Page 111]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 213_TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
                        Subpart D_Track Structure
 
Sec. 213.121  Rail joints.

    (a) Each rail joint, insulated joint, and compromise joint shall be 
of a structurally sound design and dimensions for the rail on which it 
is applied.
    (b) If a joint bar on Classes 3 through 5 track is cracked, broken, 
or because of wear allows excessive vertical movement of either rail 
when all bolts are tight, it shall be replaced.
    (c) If a joint bar is cracked or broken between the middle two bolt 
holes it shall be replaced.
    (d) In the case of conventional jointed track, each rail shall be 
bolted with at least two bolts at each joint in Classes 2 through 5 
track, and with at least one bolt in Class 1 track.
    (e) In the case of continuous welded rail track, each rail shall be 
bolted with at least two bolts at each joint.
    (f) Each joint bar shall be held in position by track bolts 
tightened to allow the joint bar to firmly support the abutting rail 
ends and to allow longitudinal movement of the rail in the joint to 
accommodate expansion and contraction due to temperature variations. 
When no-slip, joint-to-rail contact exists by design, the requirements 
of this paragraph do not apply. Those locations when over 400 feet in 
length, are considered to be continuous welded rail track and shall meet 
all the requirements for continuous welded rail track prescribed in this 
part.
    (g) No rail shall have a bolt hole which is torch cut or burned in 
Classes 2 through 5 track. For Class 2 track, this paragraph (g) is 
applicable September 21, 1999.
    (h) No joint bar shall be reconfigured by torch cutting in Classes 3 
through 5 track.