[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: 49CFR229.49]



[Page 391]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 

                             TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 229_RAILROAD LOCOMOTIVE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents

 

                      Subpart C_Safety Requirements

 

Sec. 229.49  Main reservoir system.



    (a)(1) The main reservoir system of each locomotive shall be 

equipped with at least one safety valve that shall prevent an 

accumulation of pressure of more than 15 pounds per square inch above 

the maximum working air pressure fixed by the chief mechanical officer 

of the carrier operating the locomotive.

    (2) Except for non-equipped MU locomotives built prior to January 1, 

1981, each locomotive that has a pneumatically actuated system of power 

controls shall be equipped with a separate reservoir of air under 

pressure to be used for operating those power controls. The reservoir 

shall be provided with means to automatically prevent the loss of 

pressure in the event of a failure of main air pressure, have storage 

capacity for not less than three complete operating cycles of control 

equipment and be located where it is not exposed to damage.

    (b) A governor shall be provided that stops and starts or unloads 

and loads the air compressor within 5 pounds per square inch above or 

below the maximum working air pressure fixed by the carrier.

    (c) Each compressor governor used in connection with the automatic 

air brake system shall be adjusted so that the compressor will start 

when the main reservoir pressure is not less than 15 pounds per square 

inch above the maximum brake pipe pressure fixed by the carrier and will 

not stop the compressor until the reservoir pressure has increased at 

least 10 pounds.