[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: 49CFR232.219]

[Page 502-503]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 232_BRAKE SYSTEM SAFETY STANDARDS for FREIGHT and OTHER NON-PASSENGER 
TRAINS and EQUIPMENT; END-of-TRAIN DEVICES--Table of Contents
 
              Subpart C_Inspection and Testing Requirements
 
Sec. 232.219  Double heading and helper service.

    (a) When more than one locomotive is attached to a train, the 
engineer of the controlling locomotive shall operate the brakes. In case 
it becomes necessary for the controlling locomotive to give up control 
of the train short of the destination of the train, a Class III brake 
test pursuant to Sec. 232.211 shall be made to ensure that the brakes 
are operative from the automatic brake valve of the locomotive taking 
control of the train.
    (b) When one or more helper locomotives are placed in a train, a 
visual inspection shall be made of each helper locomotive brake system 
to determine that the brake system operates as intended in response to a 
20-psi reduction initiated from the controlling locomotive of the train. 
A helper locomotive with inoperative or ineffective brakes shall be 
repaired prior to use or removed from the train.

[[Page 503]]

    (c) If a helper locomotive utilizes a Helper Link device or a 
similar technology, the locomotive and device shall be equipped, 
designed, and maintained as follows:
    (1) The locomotive engineer shall be notified by a distinctive alarm 
of any loss of communication between the device and the two-way end-of-
train device of more than 25 seconds;
    (2) A method to reset the device shall be provided in the cab of the 
helper locomotive that can be operated from the engineer's usual 
position during operation of the locomotive. Alternatively, the helper 
locomotive or the device shall be equipped with a means to automatically 
reset the device, provided that the automatic reset occurs within the 
period time permitted for manual reset of the device; and
    (3) The device shall be tested for accuracy and calibrated if 
necessary according to the manufacturer's specifications and procedures 
every 365 days. This shall include testing radio frequencies and 
modulation of the device. A legible record of the date and location of 
the last test or calibration shall be maintained with the device.

[66 FR 4193, Jan. 17, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 17584, Apr. 10, 2002]