[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: 49CFR232.217]



[Page 547]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 

                             TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 232_BRAKE SYSTEM SAFETY STANDARDS for FREIGHT and OTHER 

NON-PASSENGER TRAINS and EQUIPMENT; END-of-TRAIN DEVICES--Table 

of Contents

 

              Subpart C_Inspection and Testing Requirements

 

Sec. 232.217  Train brake tests conducted using yard air.



    (a) When a train air brake system is tested from a yard air source, 

an engineer's brake valve or a suitable test device shall be used to 

provide any increase or reduction of brake pipe air pressure at the 

same, or slower, rate as an engineer's brake valve.

    (b) The yard air test device must be connected to the end of the 

train or block of cars that will be nearest to the controlling 

locomotive. However, if the railroad adopts and complies with written 

procedures to ensure that potential overcharge conditions to the train 

brake system are avoided, the yard air test device may be connected to 

other than the end nearest to the controlling locomotive.

    (c) Except as provided in this section, when yard air is used the 

train air brake system must be charged and tested as prescribed by Sec. 

232.205(c) and when practicable should be kept charged until road motive 

power is coupled to train, after which, a Class III brake test shall be 

performed as prescribed by Sec. 232.211.

    (1) If the cars are off air for more than four hours, the cars shall 

be retested in accordance with Sec. 232.205(c) through (f).

    (2) At a minimum, yard air pressure shall be 60 psi at the end of 

the consist or block of cars opposite from the yard test device and 

shall be within 15 psi of the regulator valve setting on yard test 

device.

    (3) If the air pressure of the yard test device is less than 80 psi, 

then a brake pipe leakage or air flow test shall be conducted at the 

operating pressure of the train when the locomotives are attached in 

accordance with Sec. 232.205(c)(1).

    (d) Mechanical yard air test devices and gauges shall be calibrated 

every 92 days. Electronic yard test devices and gauges shall be 

calibrated annually. Mechanical and electronic yard air test devices and 

gauges shall be calibrated so that they are accurate to within  3 psi.

    (e) If used to test a train, a yard air test device and any yard air 

test equipment shall be accurate and function as intended.



[66 FR 4193, Jan. 17, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 17583, Apr. 10, 2002]