[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: 49CFR224.106] [Page 326-338] TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PART 224_REFLECTORIZATION OF RAIL FREIGHT ROLLING STOCK--Table of Contents Subpart B_Application, Inspection, and Maintenance of Retroreflective Material Sec. 224.106 Location of retroreflective sheeting. (a) Railroad freight cars. The retroreflective sheeting shall be applied along the length of each railroad freight car side in the manner provided by a uniform industry standard approved by the Associate Administrator that provides for distribution of material along the length of each car and as close as practicable to 42 inches above the top of rail. In the event such an industry standard is not proffered, or is not approved by the Associate Administrator, the criteria set forth in this subpart shall apply. Retroreflective sheeting applied under this part must be located clear of appurtenances and devices such as ladders and other safety appliances, pipes, or other attachments that may obscure its visibility. Retroreflective sheeting need not be applied to discontinuous surfaces such as bolts, rivets, door hinges, or other irregularly shaped areas that may prevent the sheeting from adhering to the car sides. In addition, retroreflective sheeting need not be applied over existing or required car stencils and markings. If necessary to avoid appurtenances, discontinuous surfaces, or existing or required car markings or stencils, a 4x18 inch strip of retroreflective sheeting may be separated into two 4x9 inch strips, or a 4x36 inch strip may be separated into four 4x9 inch strips, and applied on either side of the appurtenance, discontinuous surface, or car markings or stencils. (1) General rule. On railroad freight cars other than flat cars and tank cars, retroreflective sheeting shall be applied in either a vertical or horizontal pattern along the length of the car sides, with the bottom edge of the sheeting as close as practicable to 42 inches above the top of rail. Retroreflective sheeting shall not be applied below the side sill. (i) Vertical application. If retroreflective sheeting is applied in a vertical pattern, at least one 4x36 inch strip or two 4x18 inch strips, one above the other, shall be applied as close to each end of the car as practicable. Between these two vertical end strips, a minimum of one 4x18 inch strip shall be applied at least every 12 feet. See Figures 1, 2, and 3. [[Page 327]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR03JA05.000 [[Page 328]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR03JA05.001 [[Page 329]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR03JA05.002 (ii) Horizontal application. If retroreflective sheeting is applied in a horizontal pattern, at least two 4x18 inch strips, one above the other, shall be applied as close to each end of the car as practicable. Between these two end strips, a minimum of one 4x18 inch [[Page 330]] strip shall be applied at least every 12 feet. See Figures 4, 5, and 6. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR03JA05.003 [[Page 331]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR03JA05.004 [[Page 332]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR03JA05.005 (2) Tank cars. On tank cars, retroreflective sheeting shall be applied vertically to each car side and centered on the horizontal centerline of the tank, or as near as practicable. If it is not practicable to safely apply the sheeting centered vertically about the horizontal centerline of the tank, [[Page 333]] the sheeting may be applied vertically with its top edge no higher than the horizontal centerline of the tank. A minimum of either one 4x36 inch strip or two 4x18 inch strips, one above the other, shall be applied as close to each end of the car as practicable. Between these two end strips, a minimum of one 4x18 inch strip shall be applied at least every 12 feet. Retroreflective sheeting applied under this part shall not be located in the spillage area directly beneath the manway used to load and unload the tank. See Figures 7 and 8. [[Page 334]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR03JA05.006 [[Page 335]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR03JA05.007 (3) Flat cars. On flat cars, retroreflective sheeting shall be applied in a horizontal pattern along the length of the side sill with the bottom edge of the sheeting no lower than the bottom of the side sill and the top edge of the sheeting no higher than the top of the car deck or floor. At least two [[Page 336]] 4x18 inch strips, one above the other, shall be applied as close to each end of the car as practicable. If the side sill is less than 8 inches wide, the two 4x18 inch strips may be applied one next to the other, dividing the strips into nine inch segments as necessary in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section. Between the two end strips, a minimum of one 4x18 inch strip shall be applied at least every 12 feet. See Figure 4. If a car has a separate rack structure, retroreflective sheeting may be applied to the flatcar portion only in accordance with the requirements of this section. [[Page 337]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR03JA05.008 (4) Cars of special construction. This paragraph applies to any car the design of which is not compatible with the patterns of application otherwise provided in this section. Retroreflective sheeting shall conform as closely as practicable to the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this [[Page 338]] section and shall have the minimum amount of sheeting described in Sec. 224.105 distributed along the length of each car side. (b) Locomotives: Locomotives subject to this part shall be equipped with at least the minimum amounts of retroreflective sheeting required by Sec. 224.105 spaced as uniformly as practicable along the length of the locomotive sides as close as practicable to 42 inches from the top of the rail.