[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 49, Volume 4] [Revised as of October 1, 2005] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 49CFR213.109] [Page 101-103] TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PART 213_TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents Subpart D_Track Structure Sec. 213.109 Crossties. (a) Crossties shall be made of a material to which rail can be securely fastened. (b) Each 39 foot segment of track shall have-- (1) A sufficient number of crossties which in combination provide effective support that will-- (i) Hold gage within the limits prescribed in Sec. 213.53(b); (ii) Maintain surface within the limits prescribed in Sec. 213.63; and (iii) Maintain alinement within the limits prescribed in Sec. 213.55. (2) The minimum number and type of crossties specified in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section effectively distributed to support the entire segment; and (3) At least one crosstie of the type specified in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section that is located at a joint location as specified in paragraph (f) of this section. (c) Each 39 foot segment of: Class 1 track shall have five crossties; Classes 2 and 3 track shall have eight crossties; and Classes 4 and 5 track shall have 12 crossties, which are not: (1) Broken through; (2) Split or otherwise impaired to the extent the crossties will allow the ballast to work through, or will not hold spikes or rail fasteners; (3) So deteriorated that the tie plate or base of rail can move laterally more than \1/2\ inch relative to the crossties; or (4) Cut by the tie plate through more than 40 percent of a ties' thickness. (d) Each 39 foot segment of track shall have the minimum number and type of crossties as indicated in the following table (this paragraph (d) is applicable September 21, 2000). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Turnouts Tangent and track and curved Class of track curves track <=2 over 2 degrees degrees ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Class 1 track..................................... 5 6 Class 2 track..................................... 8 9 Class 3 track..................................... 8 10 Class 4 and 5 track............................... 12 14 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (e) Crossties counted to satisfy the requirements set forth in the table in paragraph (d) of this section shall not be-- (1) Broken through; [[Page 102]] (2) Split or otherwise impaired to the extent the crossties will allow the ballast to work through, or will not hold spikes or rail fasteners; (3) So deteriorated that the tie plate or base of rail can move laterally \1/2\ inch relative to the crossties; or (4) Cut by the tie plate through more than 40 percent of a crosstie's thickness (this paragraph (e) is applicable September 21, 2000). (f) Class 1 and Class 2 track shall have one crosstie whose centerline is within 24 inches of each rail joint location, and Classes 3 through 5 track shall have one crosstie whose centerline is within 18 inches of each rail joint location or, two crossties whose centerlines are within 24 inches either side of each rail joint location. The relative position of these ties is described in the following diagrams: [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR22JN98.003 Each rail joint in Classes 1 and 2 track shall be supported by at least one crosstie specified in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section whose centerline is within 48 shown above. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR22JN98.004 Each rail joint in Classes 3 through 5 track shall be supported by either at least one crosstie specified in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section whose centerline is within 36 shown above, or: [[Page 103]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR22JN98.005 Two crossties, one on each side of the rail joint, whose centerlines are within 24 of the rail joint location shown above. (g) For track constructed without crossties, such as slab track, track connected directly to bridge structural components and track over servicing pits, the track structure shall meet the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this section. [63 FR 34029, June 22, 1998; 63 FR 46102, Aug. 28, 1998]