[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: 49CFR213.307]



[Page 119]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 

                             TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 213_TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents

 

        Subpart G_Train Operations at Track Classes 6 and Higher

 

Sec. 213.307  Class of track: operating speed limits.



    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and 

Sec. Sec. 213.329, 213.337(a) and 213.345(c), the following maximum 

allowable operating speeds apply:



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

     Over track that meets all of the          The maximum allowable

 requirements prescribed in this subpart     operating speed for trains

                  for--                               \1\ is--

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

Class 6 track............................  110 m.p.h.

Class 7 track............................  125 m.p.h.

Class 8 track............................  160 m.p.h.\2\

Class 9 track............................  200 m.p.h.

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

\1\ Freight may be transported at passenger train speeds if the

  following conditions are met:

(1) The vehicles utilized to carry such freight are of equal dynamic

  performance and have been qualified in accordance with Sections

  213.345 and 213.329(d) of this subpart.

(2) The load distribution and securement in the freight vehicle will not

  adversely affect the dynamic performance of the vehicle. The axle

  loading pattern is uniform and does not exceed the passenger

  locomotive axle loadings utilized in passenger service operating at

  the same maximum speed.

(3) No carrier may accept or transport a hazardous material, as defined

  at 49 CFR 171.8, except as provided in Column 9A of the Hazardous

  Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101) for movement in the same train as a

  passenger-carrying vehicle or in Column 9B of the Table for movement

  in a train with no passenger-carrying vehicles.

\2\ Operating speeds in excess of 150 m.p.h. are authorized by this part

  only in conjunction with a rule of particular applicability addressing

  other safety issues presented by the system.



    (b) If a segment of track does not meet all of the requirements for 

its intended class, it is to be reclassified to the next lower class of 

track for which it does meet all of the requirements of this subpart. If 

a segment does not meet all of the requirements for Class 6, the 

requirements for Classes 1 through 5 apply.