[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: 49CFR215.305]
[Page 182-187]
TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
PART 215_RAILROAD FREIGHT CAR SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents
Subpart D_Stenciling
Sec. 215.305 Stenciling of maintenance-of-way equipment.
(a) Maintenance-of-way equipment (including self-propelled
maintenance-of-way equipment) described in Sec. 215.3(c)(3) shall be
stenciled, or marked--
(1) In clearly legible letters; and
(2) In accordance with paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) The letters ``MW'' must be--
(1) At least 2 inches high; and
(2) Placed on each side of the car.
[44 FR 77340, Dec. 31, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 26711, Apr. 21, 1980]
Appendix A to Part 215--Railroad Freight Car Components
List of components whose use is restricted by Sec. 215.203 of this
part.
A. Air brakes:
The ``K'' type.
B. Axles:
1. Former AAR alternate standard tubular type.
2. Axle with letters ``RJ'' stamped on the end of the journal.
C. Couplers:
1. AAR type ``D'', top or bottom operated.
2. AAR type ``E'' with 5 by 7 shank.
D. Draft arrangement:
1. Miner FR-16 and FR-19-F draft gears.
2. Farlow draft attachment.
E. Plain journal bearings:
Cartridge type.
F. Roller bearings:
1. Nippon Sieko Kabushiki Kaish (NSK) size 6\1/2\ by
12 (marked ``AAR 11'').
2. Hyatt cylindrical bearing, all sizes (marked ``AAR 2'').
3. SKF ``Piggybacker'' spherical roller, size 6 by
11 (marked ``AAR 7'').
G. Trucks:
1. Arch bar type.
2. Truck with cast steel pedestal side frame, short wheel base, and
no bolster.
H. Truck bolsters:
1. A bolster with one of the following pattern numbers listed
according to manufacturer:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dresser Lenoir car
A.S.F. (Symington) Birdsboro works
------------------------------------------------------------------------
21183-B............................ BO 5234 1458 CS-184.
........... 1468
21183-N............................ BO 5263 1471 CS-611.
BO 7076
21648-C............................ BO 7076-A
22056-E............................ BO 7115
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Bolster cast before 1927.
3. Bolster without an identification mark or pattern number.
I. 1. Truck side frames:
A side frame with one of the following pattern numbers listed
according to manufacturer:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National
A.S.F. castings Buckeye Dominion
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7273................................ 33793-1B 3-1776 TF-5100
7323................................ .......... F-420
21362 (cast prior to June 1941).....
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadian
Pittsburgh steel foundry Scullin Bettendorf steel
steel foundry
------------------------------------------------------------------------
31673............................... 42-CS-180 UT 456 26565
4-1862..............................
3-1674.............................. 4665
4-2045.............................. 4770
12897............................... 4942
12921............................... 5220
21263............................... 5364
5364-C
5364-E
5811-A
5869-B
6577-A
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Side frame cast before 1927.
3. Side frame without an identification mark or pattern number.
4. Side frame with an ``I'', ``T'', or ``L'' section compression or
tension member.
J. Wheels:
1. Cast iron wheel.
2. Cast steel wheel marked ``AAR X-2.''
3. Southern cast steel wheel manufactured before May 7, 1958.
4. Griffin, three-riser cast steel wheel, ball rim design, 70-ton
capacity.
5. Griffin, three-riser cast steel wheel, two-wear, 70- and 50-ton
capacity, 33 inch, (marked X-5 or CS-2).
6. Wrought steel wheel manufactured before 1927, as indicated by
marking on wheel.
7. Cast steel wheel marked AAR X-4.
8. Davis cast steel wheel.
9. One-wear, 70-ton Southern (ABEX) U1 cast steel wheels dated May
7, 1958 through December 31, 1969.
A. Wheels dated May 7, 1958, to January 1, 1964, are marked with the
symbol ``70T'' cast on the back of the wheel plate; they are not marked
``U-1.''
[[Page 183]]
B. Wheels dated January 1, 1964 through December 31, 1969, are
marked with the symbols ``CJ-33'' and ``U-1'' or ``70T'' and ``U-1''
cast on the back of the wheel plate.
K. Yokes:
1. Riveted type.
2. Keyless type.
3. Vertical key type.
Appendix B to Part 215--Schedule of Civil Penalties \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Willful
Section Violation violation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart A--General:
215.9 Movement for repair:
(a), (c).............................. (\1\) (\1\)
(b)................................... $2,500 $5,000
215.11 Designation of qualified persons... 2,500 5,000
215.13 Pre-departure inspection........... 2,000 4,000
Subpart B--Freight Car Components:
215.103 Defective wheel:
(a) Flange thickness of:
(1) 7/8 or less but 2,500 5,000
more than \13/16\.....
(2) \13/16\ or less.... 5,000 7,500
(b) Flange height of:
(1) 1\1/2\ or greater 2,500 5,000
but less than 1\5/8\..
(2) 1\5/8\ or more..... 5,000 7,500
(c) Rim thickness of:
(1) \11/16\ or less but 2,500 5,000
more than \5/8\.......
(2) \5/8\ or less...... 5,000 7,500
(d) Wheel rim, flange plate hub width:
(1) Crack of less than 1..............................
(2) Crack of 1 or more. 5,000 7,500
(3) Break......................... 5,000 7,500
(e) Chip or gouge in flange of:
(1) 1\1/2\ or more but 2,500 5,000
less than 1\5/8\ in
length; and \1/2\ or
more but less than \5/8\ in width.....................
(2) 1\5/8\ or more in 5,000 7,500
length; or \5/8\ or
more in width....................
(f) Slid flat or shelled spot(s):
(1)(i) One spot more than 2\1/ 2,500 5,000
2\, but less than 3, in length...............
(ii) One spot 3 or 5,000 7,500
more in length...................
(2)(i) Two adjoining spots each of 2,500 5,000
which is more than 2
but less than 2\1/2\
in length........................
(ii) Two adjoining spots both of 5,000 7,500
which are at least 2
in length, if either spot is 2\1/
2\, or more in length.
(g) Loose on axle 6,000 8,500
(h) Overheated; discoloration
extending:
(1) more than 4 but 2,500 5,000
less than 4\1/2\......
(2) 4\1/2\ or more..... 5,000 7,500
(i) Welded 5,000 7,500
215.105 Defective axle:
(a)(1) Crack of 1 or less.. 2,500 5,000
(2) Crack of more than 1.. 5,000 7,500
(3) Break............................ 6,000 8,500
(b) Gouge in surface that is between 2,500 5,000
the wheel seats and is more than \1/
8\ in depth...............
(c) End collar with crack or break.... 2,500 5,000
(d) Journal overheated................ 5,000 7,500
(e) Journal surface has: a ridge; a 2,500 5,000
depression; a circumferential score;
corrugation; a scratch; a continuous
streak; pitting; rust; or etching....
215.107 Defective plain bearing box:
general:
(a)(1) No visible free oil............ 1,500 3,000
(2) Lubricating pad dry (no 5,000 7,500
expression of oil observed when pad
is compressed).......................
(b) Box lid is missing, broken, or 1,000 2,000
open except to receive servicing.....
(c) Contains foreign matter that can 2,500 5,000
be expected to damage the bearing or
have a detrimental effect on the
lubrication of the journal and
bearing..............................
215.109 Defective plain bearing box:
journal lubrication system:
(a) Lubricating pad has a tear........ 1,000 2,000
(b) Lubricating pad scorched, burned, 2,500 5,000
or glazed............................
(c) Lubricating pad contains decaying 2,500 5,000
or deteriorating fabric..............
(d) Lubricating pad has an exposed 2,500 5,000
center core or metal parts contacting
the journal..........................
(e) Lubricating pad is missing or not 5,000 7,500
in contact with the journal..........
215.111 Defective plain bearing:
(a) Missing........................... 5,000 7,500
(b) Bearing liner is loose or has 2,500 5,000
piece broken out.....................
[[Page 184]]
(c) Overheated........................ 5,000 7,500
215.113 Defective plain bearing wedge:
(a) Missing........................... 5,000 7,500
(b) Cracked........................... 2,500 5,000
(c) Broken............................ 5,000 7,500
(d) Not located in its design position 5,000 7,500
215.115 Defective roller bearing:
(a)(1) Overheated..................... 5,000 7,500
(2) (i) Cap screw(s) loose........... 2,500 5,000
(ii) Cap screw lock broken, 1,000 2,000
missing or improperly applied....
(3) Seal is loose or damaged, or 2,500 5,000
permits leakage of lubricant.........
(b)(1) Not inspected and tested after 2,500 5,000
derailment...........................
(2) Not disassembled after derailment 2,500 5,000
(3) Not repaired or replaced after 5,000 7,500
derailment...........................
215.117 Defective roller bearing adapter:
(a) Cracked or broken................. 2,500 5,000
(b) Not in its design position........ 5,000 7,500
(c) Worn on the crown................. 2,500 5,000
215.119 Defective freight car truck:
(a)(1) A side frame or bolster that is 5,000 7,500
broken...............................
(2)(i) Side frame or bolster with 2,500 5,000
crack of: \1/4\ or more,
but less than 1...........
(ii) 1 or more........ 5,000 7,500
(b) A snubbing device that is 2,500 5,000
ineffective or missing...............
(c) Side bearing(s):
(1) Assembly missing or broken.... 5,000 7,500
(2) In contact except by design... 5,000 7,500
(3), (4) Total clearance at one
end or at diagonally opposite
sides of:........................
(i) more than \3/4\ 2,500 5,000
but not more than 1...
(ii) more than 1...... 5,000 7,500
(d) Truck spring(s):
(1) Do not maintain travel or load 2,500 5,000
(2) Compressed solid.............. 2,500 5,000
(3) Outer truck springs broken or
missing:
(i) Two outer springs............ 2,500 5,000
(ii) Three or more outer springs. 5,000 7,500
(e) Truck bolster-center plate 5,000 7,500
interference.........................
(f) Brake beam shelf support worn..... 2,500 5,000
215.121 Defective car body:
(a) Has less than 2\1/2\ 2,500 5,000
clearance from the top of rail.......
(b) Car center sill is:
(1) Broken........................ 6,000 8,500
(2) Cracked more than 6 2,500 5,000
(3) Bent or buckled more than 2\1/ 2,500 5,000
2\ in any 6' length...
(c) Coupler carrier that is broken or 2,500 5,000
missing..............................
(d) Car door not equipped with 5,000 7,500
operative safety hangers.............
(e)(1) Center plate not properly 5,000 7,500
secured..............................
(2) Portion missing.................. 2,500 5,000
(3) Broken........................... 5,000 7,500
(4) Two or more cracks............... 2,500 5,000
(f) Broken sidesill, crossbearer, or 2,500 5,000
body bolster.........................
215.123 Defective couplers:
(a) Shank bent out of alignment....... 1,000 2,000
(b) Crack in highly stressed junction 2,500 5,000
area.................................
(c) Coupler knuckle broken or cracked. 2,500 5,000
(d) Coupler knuckle pin or thrower 2,500 5,000
that is missing or inoperative.......
(e) Coupler retainer pin lock that is 1,000 2,000
missing or broken....................
(f) Coupler with following conditions: 2,500 5,000
locklift inoperative; no anticreep
protection; or coupler lock is
missing, inoperative, bent, cracked,
or broken............................
215.125 Defective uncoupling device....... 2,500 5,000
215.127 Defective draft arrangement:
(a) Draft gear that is inoperative.... 2,500 5,000
(b) Yoke that is broken............... 2,500 5,000
(c) End of car cushioning unit is 2,500 5,000
leaking or inoperative...............
(d) Vertical coupler pin retainer 5,000 7,500
plate missing or has missing fastner.
(e) Draft key or draft key retainer 5,000 7,500
that is inoperative or missing.......
(f) Follower plate that is missing or 2,500 5,000
broken...............................
215.129 Defective cushioning device....... 2,500 5,000
Subpart C--Restricted equipment:
215.203 Restricted cars................... 2,500 5,000
Subpart D--Stencilling:
215.301 General........................... 1,000 2,000
215.303 Stencilling of restricted cars.... 1,000 2,000
[[Page 185]]
215.305 Stencilling of maintenance-of-way. 1,000 2,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ A penalty may be assessed against an individual only for a willful
violation. Generally, when two or more violations of these regulations
are discovered with respect to a single freight car that is placed or
continued in service by a railroad, the appropriate penalties set
forth above are aggregated up to a maximum of $10,000 per day.
However, a failure to perform, with respect to a particular freight
car, the predeparture inspection required by Sec. 215.13 of this
part will be treated as a violation separate and distinct from, and in
addition to, any substantive violative conditions found on the car.
The Administrator reserves the right to assess a penalty of up to
$27,000 for any violation where circumstances warrant. See 49 CFR part
209, appendix A.
Failure to observe any condition for movement set forth in paragraphs
(a) and (c) of Sec. 215.9 will deprive the railroad of the benefit
of the movement-for-repair provision and make the railroad and any
responsible individuals liable for penalty under the particular
regulatory section(s) concerning the substantive defect(s) present on
the freight car at the time of movement.
Maintenance-of-way equipment not stenciled in accordance with Sec.
215.305 is subject to all requirements of this part. See Sec.
215.3(c)(3).
[53 FR 52925, Dec. 29, 1988, as amended at 63 FR 11620, Mar. 10, 1998;
69 FR 30593, May 28, 2004]
Appendix C to Part 215--FRA Freight Car Standards Defect Code
The following defect code has been established for use by FRA and
State inspectors to report defects observed during inspection of freight
cars. The purpose of the code is to establish a uniform language among
FRA, States, and the railroad industry that will facilitate
communication, recordkeeping, and statistical analyses. The code may not
be substituted for the description of defects on bad order tags affixed
to cars being moved for repair under Sec. 215.9. However, it may be
used to supplement that description.
Index
General
215.009 Improper Movement of Defective Cars.
215.011 Designation of Qualified Persons.
215.013 Failure to Perform a Pre-departure Inspection.
215.015 Failure to Complete Initial Periodic Inspection as Required.
Freight Car Components
Suspension System
215.103 Defective Wheel.
215.105 Defective Axle.
215.107 Defective Plain Bearing Box: General.
215.109 Defective Plain Bearing Box: Journal Lubrication System.
215.111 Defective Plain Bearing.
215.113 Defective Plain Bearing Wedge.
215.115 Defective Roller Bearing.
215.117 Defective Roller Bearing Adapter.
215.119 Defective Freight Car Truck.
Car Bodies
215.121 Defective Car Body.
Draft System
215.123 Defective Couplers.
215.125 Defective Uncoupling Device.
215.127 Defective Draft Arrangement.
215.129 Defective Cushioning Device.
Restricted Equipment
215.203 Restricted Cars.
Stenciling
215.301 Improper Stenciling.
215.303 Improper Stenciling of Restricted Cars.
215.305 Improper Stenciling of Maintenance-of-Way Equipment.
Description of Defects
215.009 Failure to meet conditions for movement of defective cars for
repairs.
215.011 Designation of Qualified Persons.
(A)(1) Railroad fails to designate persons qualified to inspect
freight cars;
(2) Persons designated does not have knowledge and ability to
inspect freight cars for compliance with the requirements of this part.
(B) Railroad fails to maintain written record of:
(1) Each designation in effect;
(2) The basis for this designation.
215.013 Failure to perform pre-departure inspection.
215.015 Periodic Inspection.
(A) Railroad fails to perform the periodic inspection as required by
June 30, 1980 on:
(1) High utilization car built prior to December 31, 1977;
(2) Non-high utilization car built prior to December 31, 1971;
(B) A freight car improperly stenciled for periodic inspection.
215.103 Defective Wheel.
(A)(1) Flanges \7/8\ or less at \3/8\ above
the tread;
(2) Flanges \13/16\ or less at \3/8\ above the
tread;
(3) Flanges \3/4\ or less at \3/8\ above the
tread;
(B)(1) Flange is 1\1/2\ or more from the tread to top of
flange;
(2) Flange is 1\5/8\ or more from the tread to top of
flange;
(3) Flange is 1\3/4\.
(C)(1) Rim thickness is \11/16\ or less;
[[Page 186]]
(2) Rim thickness is \5/8\ or less;
(3) Rim thickness is \9/16\ or less;
(D) Wheel cracked or broken in: (1) rim, (2) flange, (3) plate or
(4) hub area.
(E) Wheel chip or gouge in flange:
(1) 1\1/2\ length and \1/2\ in width or more;
(2) 1\5/8\ length and \5/8\ in width or more;
(3) 1\3/4\ in length and \3/4\ in width or
more.
(F) Wheel has slid flat spot or shelled spot:
(1) 2\1/2\ in length or more;
(2) Has two adjoining flat spots each of which is 2 in
length or greater;
(3) A single flat spot 3 in length or more;
(4) Has two adjoining flat spots one of which is at least
2 in length and the other is 2\1/2\ or greater.
(G) Has a loose wheel.
(H) Overheated with discoloration extending: (1) More than
4; (2) 4\1/2\ or more.
(I) A welded wheel on car that is not moving for repairs.
215.105 Defective Axle.
(A) Cracked or broken:
(1) Cracked 1' or less;
(2) Cracked greater than 1;
(3) Broken or cracked with visible separation of metal.
(B) Gouge between wheel seats more than \1/8\ in depth:
(C) Broken or cracked end collar on plain bearing axle.
(D) Overheated journal.
(E) Surface of plain bearing journal or fillet has (1) ridge, (2)
depression, (3) circumferential score, (4) corrugation, (5) scratch, (6)
continuous streak, (7) pitting, (8) rust, (9) etching.
215.107 Defective plain bearing box.
(A) (1) Does not contain visible free oil;
(2) A journal box with dry pad.
(B) Lid is missing, broken or open except to receive service.
(C) Box has foreign matter that will damage bearing or prevent
lubrication.
215.109 Defective plain bearing box: journal lubrication system.
(A) Pad torn half the length or width.
(B) Scorched, burned or glazed.
(C) Contains decaying or deteriorated fabric.
(D) Has exposed core except by design of metal parts in contact with
journal.
(E)(1) Missing;
(2) Not in contact with journal.
215.111 Defective plain bearing.
(A) Missing, cracked or broken.
(B)(1) Bearing lining is loose;
(2) Broken out piece.
(C) Overheated as evidenced by:
(1) Melted babbit;
(2) Smoke from hot oil;
(3) Journal surface damaged.
215.113 Defective plain bearing wedge.
(A) Missing.
(B) Cracked.
(C) Broken.
(D) Not located in design position.
215.115 Defective roller bearing.
(A)(1) Overheated;
(2) Loose or missing cap screw;
(3) Roller bearing seal loose or damaged permitting loss of
lubricant;
(4) Two or more missing cap screws.
(B)(1) Failure to inspect if involved in derailment;
(2) Failure to disassemble if required under this part;
(3) Failure to repair or replace defective roller bearings.
215.117 Defective roller bearing adapter.
(A) Cracked or broken.
(B) Not in design position.
(C) Worn excessively as shown on Figure 1 in relief portion.
215.119 Defective freight car trucks.
(A)(1) Side frame or bolster broken;
(2) Cracked \1/4\ or more in transverse direction on
tension member;
(3) Cracked 1 or more in transverse direction on tension
member.
(B) Has ineffective snubbing devices.
(C)(1) Missing or broken side bearing;
(2) Side bearing in contact except by design;
(3) Excessive side bearing clearance at one end of car;
(4) Excessive side bearing clearance on opposite sides at diagonal
ends of car.
(D)(1) Has truck springs that will not maintain travel or load;
(2) Truck springs that are compressed solid;
(3) Has two springs broken in a cluster;
(4) Has three or more springs broken.
(E) Truck bolster and center plate interference preventing rotation.
(F) Has broken beam shelf supports worn so that shelf will not
support beam.
215.121 Defective car body.
(A) Improper clearance--less than 2\1/2\ from top of
rail.
(B) Center sill is:
(1) Broken;
(2) Cracked more than 6;
(3) Bent or buckled more than 2\1/2\ in any 6-foot
length.
(C) Coupler carrier is:
(1) Broken;
(2) Missing;
(3) Non-resilient when used with coupler with F head.
(D) Car door not equipped with operative safety hangers.
(E) If center plate:
(1) Any portion missing;
(2) Broken or cracked as defined in this part.
(F) Broken side sills, crossbars or body bolster.
215.123 Defective couplers.
(A) Coupler shank bent.
(B) Coupler cracked in highly stressed area of head and shank.
(C) Coupler knuckle broken.
[[Page 187]]
(D) Coupler knuckle pin or knuckle throw:
(1) Missing;
(2) Inoperative.
(E) Coupler retainer pin lock:
(1) Missing;
(2) Broken.
(F)(1) Coupler locklift is inoperative;
(2) No anti-creep protection;
(3) Coupler lock is (i) missing, (ii) inoperative, (iii) bent, (iv)
cracked or (v) broken.
215.125 Defective uncoupling device.
(A) Fouling on curve.
(B) Unintentional uncoupling.
215.127 Defective draft arrangement.
(A) Draft gear inoperative.
(B) Broken yoke.
(C) End of car cushioning unit:
(1) Leaking;
(2) Inoperative.
(D) Vertical coupler pin retainer plate:
(1) Missing;
(2) Has missing fastener.
(E) Draft key or key retainer:
(1) Inoperative;
(2) Missing.
(F) Follower plate missing or broken.
215.129 Defective cushioning device unless effectively immobilized.
(A) Broken.
(B) Inoperative.
(C) Missing parts.
215.203 Operating a restricted car, except under conditions approved by
FRA.
Stenciling
215.301 Failure to stencil car number and built date on freight car as
required.
215.303 Failure to stencil restricted car as required.
215.305 Failure to stencil maintenance-of-way equipment as required.
Appendix D to Part 215--Pre-departure Inspection Procedure
At each location where a freight car is placed in a train and a
person designated under Sec. 215.11 is not on duty for the purpose of
inspecting freight cars, the freight car shall, as a minimum, be
inspected for the imminently hazardous conditions listed below that are
likely to cause an accident or casualty before the train arrives at its
destination. These conditions are readily discoverable by a train crew
member in the course of a customary inspection.
1. Car body:
(a) Leaning or listing to side.
(b) Sagging downward.
(c) Positioned improperly on truck.
(d) Object dragging below.
(e) Object extending from side.
(f) Door insecurely attached.
(g) Broken or missing safety appliance.
(h) Lading leaking from a placarded hazardous material car.
2. Insecure coupling.
3. Overheated wheel or journal.
4. Broken or extensively cracked wheel.
5. Brake that fails to release.
6. Any other apparent safety hazard likely to cause an accident or
casualty before the train arrives at its destination.
[45 FR 26711, Apr. 21, 1980]