[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: 49CFR238.311]



[Page 683-684]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 

                             TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 238_PASSENGER EQUIPMENT SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents

 

 Subpart D_Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Requirements for Tier I 

                           Passenger Equipment

 

Sec. 238.311  Single car test.



    (a) Except for self-propelled passenger cars, single car tests of 

all passenger cars and all unpowered vehicles used in passenger trains 

shall be performed in accordance with either APTA Standard SS-M-005-98, 

``Code of Tests for Passenger Car Equipment Using Single Car Testing 

Device,'' published March, 1998; or an alternative procedure approved by 

FRA pursuant to Sec. 238.21. The incorporation by reference of this 

APTA standard was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 

accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may obtain a copy 

of the incorporated document from the American Public Transit 

Association, 1201 New York Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20005. You may 

inspect a copy of the document at the Federal Railroad Administration, 

Docket Clerk, 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW., Suite 7000, Washington, DC or at 

the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information 

on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go 

to: http://www.archives.gov/federal--register/code--of--federal--

regulations/ibr--locations.html.

    (b) Each single car test required by this section shall be performed 

by a qualified maintenance person.

    (c) A railroad shall perform a single car test of the brake system 

of a car or vehicle described in paragraph (a) of this section if the 

car or vehicle is found with one or more of the following wheel defects:

    (1) Built-up tread;

    (2) Slid flat wheel;

    (3) Thermal crack;

    (4) Overheated wheel; or

    (5) Shelling.

    (d) A railroad need not perform the single car test required in 

paragraph (c) of this section, if the railroad can establish that the 

wheel defect is other than built-up tread and is due to a cause other 

than a defective brake system on the car.

    (e) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, a railroad 

shall perform a single car test of the brake system of a car or vehicle 

described in paragraph (a) of this section when:

    (1) Except for private cars, a car or vehicle is placed in service 

after having been out of service for 30 days or more; or



[[Page 684]]



    (2) One or more of the following conventional air brake equipment 

items is removed, repaired, or replaced:

    (i) Relay valve;

    (ii) Service portion;

    (iii) Emergency portion; or

    (iv) Pipe bracket.

    (f) Exception. If the single car test cannot be made at the point 

where repairs are made, the car may be moved in passenger service to the 

next forward location where the test can be made. A railroad may move a 

car in this fashion only after visually verifying an application and 

release of the brakes on both sides of the car that was repaired, and 

provided that the car is appropriately tagged to indicate the need to 

perform a single car test. The single car test shall be completed prior 

to, or as a part of, the car's next calendar day mechanical inspection.

    (g) If one or more of the following conventional air brake equipment 

items is removed, repaired, or replaced only that portion which is 

renewed or replaced must be tested to satisfy the provisions of this 

section:

    (1) Brake reservoir;

    (2) Brake cylinder;

    (3) Piston assembly;

    (4) Vent valve;

    (5) Quick service valve;

    (6) Brake cylinder release valve;

    (7) Modulating valve or slack adjuster; or

    (8) Angle cock or cutout cock.



[64 FR 25660, May 12, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 41309, July 3, 2000]