[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: 49CFR238.211]



[Page 670]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 

                             TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 238_PASSENGER EQUIPMENT SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents

 

     Subpart C_Specific Requirements for Tier I Passenger Equipment

 

Sec. 238.211  Collision posts.



    (a) Except as further specified in this paragraph and paragraphs (b) 

and (c) of this section--

    (1) All passenger equipment placed in service for the first time on 

or after September 8, 2000 shall have either:

    (i) Two full-height collision posts, located at approximately the 

one-third points laterally, at each end. Each collision post shall have 

an ultimate longitudinal shear strength of not less than 300,000 pounds 

at a point even with the top of the underframe member to which it is 

attached. If reinforcement is used to provide the shear value, the 

reinforcement shall have full value for a distance of 18 inches up from 

the underframe connection and then taper to a point approximately 30 

inches above the underframe connection; or

    (ii) An equivalent end structure that can withstand the sum of 

forces that each collision post in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section 

is required to withstand. For analysis purposes, the required forces may 

be assumed to be evenly distributed at the end structure at the 

underframe joint.

    (2) The requirements of this paragraph do not apply to unoccupied 

passenger equipment operating in a passenger train, or to the rear end 

of a locomotive if the end is unoccupied by design.

    (b) Each locomotive, including a cab car and an MU locomotive, 

ordered on or after September 8, 2000, or placed in service for the 

first time on or after September 9, 2002, shall have at its forward end, 

in lieu of the structural protection described in paragraph (a) of this 

section, either:

    (1) Two forward collision posts, located at approximately the one-

third points laterally, each capable of withstanding:

    (i) A 500,000-pound longitudinal force at the point even with the 

top of the underframe, without exceeding the ultimate strength of the 

joint; and

    (ii) A 200,000-pound longitudinal force exerted 30 inches above the 

joint of the post to the underframe, without exceeding the ultimate 

strength; or

    (2) An equivalent end structure that can withstand the sum of the 

forces that each collision post in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section 

is required to withstand.

    (c) The end structure requirements in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 

section apply only to the ends of a semi-permanently coupled consist of 

articulated units, provided that:

    (1) The railroad submits to the FRA Associate Administrator for 

Safety under the procedures specified in Sec. 238.21 a documented 

engineering analysis establishing that the articulated connection is 

capable of preventing disengagement and telescoping to the same extent 

as equipment satisfying the anti-climbing and collision post 

requirements contained in this subpart; and

    (2) FRA finds the analysis persuasive.



[64 FR 25660, May 12, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 19991, Apr. 23, 2002]