[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: 49CFR238.211]

[Page 602]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 238_PASSENGER EQUIPMENT SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
     Subpart C_Specific Requirements for Tier I Passenger Equipment
 
Sec. 238.211  Collision posts.

    (a) Except as further specified in this paragraph and paragraphs (b) 
and (c) of this section--
    (1) All passenger equipment placed in service for the first time on 
or after September 8, 2000 shall have either:
    (i) Two full-height collision posts, located at approximately the 
one-third points laterally, at each end. Each collision post shall have 
an ultimate longitudinal shear strength of not less than 300,000 pounds 
at a point even with the top of the underframe member to which it is 
attached. 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; or
    (ii) An equivalent end structure that can withstand the sum of 
forces that each collision post in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section 
is required to withstand. For analysis purposes, the required forces may 
be assumed to be evenly distributed at the end structure at the 
underframe joint.
    (2) The requirements of this paragraph do not apply to unoccupied 
passenger equipment operating in a passenger train, or to the rear end 
of a locomotive if the end is unoccupied by design.
    (b) Each locomotive, including a cab car and an MU locomotive, 
ordered on or after September 8, 2000, or placed in service for the 
first time on or after September 9, 2002, shall have at its forward end, 
in lieu of the structural protection described in paragraph (a) of this 
section, either:
    (1) Two forward collision posts, located at approximately the one-
third points laterally, each capable of withstanding:
    (i) A 500,000-pound longitudinal force at the point even with the 
top of the underframe, without exceeding the ultimate strength of the 
joint; and
    (ii) A 200,000-pound longitudinal force exerted 30 inches above the 
joint of the post to the underframe, without exceeding the ultimate 
strength; or
    (2) An equivalent end structure that can withstand the sum of the 
forces that each collision post in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section 
is required to withstand.
    (c) The end structure requirements in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 
section apply only to the ends of a semi-permanently coupled consist of 
articulated units, provided that:
    (1) The railroad submits to the FRA Associate Administrator for 
Safety under the procedures specified in Sec. 238.21 a documented 
engineering analysis establishing that the articulated connection is 
capable of preventing disengagement and telescoping to the same extent 
as equipment satisfying the anti-climbing and collision post 
requirements contained in this subpart; and
    (2) FRA finds the analysis persuasive.

[64 FR 25660, May 12, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 19991, Apr. 23, 2002]