[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: 49CFR213.233]



[Page 114-115]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 

                             TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 213_TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents

 

                          Subpart F_Inspection

 

Sec. 213.233  Track inspections.



    (a) All track shall be inspected in accordance with the schedule 

prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section by a person designated under 

Sec. 213.7.

    (b) Each inspection shall be made on foot or by riding over the 

track in a vehicle at a speed that allows the person making the 

inspection to visually inspect the track structure for compliance with 

this part. However, mechanical, electrical, and other track inspection 

devices may be used to supplement visual inspection. If a vehicle is 

used for visual inspection, the speed of the vehicle may not be more 

than 5 miles per hour when passing over track crossings and turnouts, 

otherwise, the inspection vehicle speed shall be at the sole discretion 

of the inspector, based on track conditions and inspection requirements. 

When riding over the track in a vehicle, the inspection will be subject 

to the following conditions--

    (1) One inspector in a vehicle may inspect up to two tracks at one 

time provided that the inspector's visibility remains unobstructed by 

any cause and that the second track is not centered more than 30 feet 

from the track upon which the inspector is riding;

    (2) Two inspectors in one vehicle may inspect up to four tracks at a 

time provided that the inspectors' visibility remains unobstructed by 

any cause and that each track being inspected is centered within 39 feet 

from the track upon which the inspectors are riding;

    (3) Each main track is actually traversed by the vehicle or 

inspected on foot at least once every two weeks, and each siding is 

actually traversed by the vehicle or inspected on foot at least once 

every month. On high density commuter railroad lines where track time 

does not permit an on track vehicle inspection, and where track centers 

are 15 foot or less, the requirements of this paragraph (b)(3) will not 

apply; and

    (4) Track inspection records shall indicate which track(s) are 

traversed by the vehicle or inspected on foot as outlined in paragraph 

(b)(3) of this section.

    (c) Each track inspection shall be made in accordance with the 

following schedule--



[[Page 115]]







------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Class of track             Type of track      Required frequency

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Excepted track and Class 1,   Main track and        Weekly with at least

 2, and 3 track.               sidings.              3 calendar days

                                                     interval between

                                                     inspections, or

                                                     before use, if the

                                                     track is used less

                                                     than once a week,

                                                     or twice weekly

                                                     with at least 1

                                                     calendar day

                                                     interval between

                                                     inspections, if the

                                                     track carries

                                                     passenger trains or

                                                     more than 10

                                                     million gross tons

                                                     of traffic during

                                                     the preceding

                                                     calendar year.

Excepted track and Class 1,   Other than main       Monthly with at

 2, and 3 track.               track and sidings.    least 20 calendar

                                                     days interval

                                                     between

                                                     inspections.

Class 4 and 5 track.........  ....................  Twice weekly with at

                                                     least 1 calendar

                                                     day interval

                                                     between

                                                     inspections.

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    (d) If the person making the inspection finds a deviation from the 

requirements of this part, the inspector shall immediately initiate 

remedial action.



    Note to Sec. 213.233: Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this 

section, no part of this section will in any way be construed to limit 

the inspector's discretion as it involves inspection speed and sight 

distance.