[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 4]

[Revised as of October 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR218.5]



[Page 198-199]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 

                             TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 218_RAILROAD OPERATING PRACTICES--Table of Contents

 

                            Subpart A_General

 

Sec.  218.5  Definitions.



    Absolute block means a block in which no train is permitted to enter 

while it is occupied by another train.

    Blue signal means a clearly distinguishable blue flag or blue light 

by day and a blue light at night. When attached to the operating 

controls of a locomotive, it need not be lighted if the inside of the 

cab area of the locomotive is sufficiently lighted so as to make the 

blue signal clearly distinguishable.

    Camp car means any on-track vehicle, including outfit, camp, or bunk 

cars or modular homes mounted on flat cars used to house rail employees. 

It does not include wreck trains.

    Car shop repair track area means one or more tracks within an area 

in which the testing, servicing, repair, inspection, or rebuilding of 

railroad rolling equipment is under the exclusive control of mechanical 

department personnel.

    Controlling Locomotive means a locomotive arranged as having the 

only controls over all electrical, mechanical and pneumatic functions 

for one or more locomotives, including controls transmitted by radio 

signals if so equipped. It does not include two or more locomotives 

coupled in multiple which can be moved from more than one set of 

locomotive controls.



[[Page 199]]



    Designated crew member means an individual designated under the 

railroad's operating rules as the point of contact between a train or 

yard crew and a utility employee working with that crew.

    Effective locking device when used in relation to a manually 

operated switch or a derail means one which is:

    (1) Vandal resistant;

    (2) Tamper resistant; and

    (3) Capable of being locked and unlocked only by the class, craft or 

group of employees for whom the protection is being provided.

    Flagman's signals means a red flag by day and a white light at 

night, and a specified number of torpedoes and fusees as prescribed in 

the railroad's operating rules.

    Group of workers means two or more workers of the same or different 

crafts assigned to work together as a unit under a common authority and 

who are in communication with each other while the work is being done.

    Interlocking limits means the tracks between the opposing home 

signals of an interlocking.

    Locomotive means a self-propelled unit of equipment designed for 

moving other railroad rolling equipment in revenue service including a 

self-propelled unit designed to carry freight or passenger traffic, or 

both, and may consist of one or more units operated from a single 

control.

    Locomotive servicing track area means one or more tracks, within an 

area in which the testing, servicing, repair, inspection, or rebuilding 

of locomotives is under the exclusive control of mechanical department 

personnel.

    Main track means a track, other than an auxiliary track, extending 

through yards or between stations, upon which trains are operated by 

timetable or train order or both, or the use of which is governed by a 

signal system.

    Rolling equipment includes locomotives, railroad cars, and one or 

more locomotives coupled to one or more cars.

    Switch providing access means a switch which if traversed by rolling 

equipment could permit that rolling equipment to couple to the equipment 

being protected.

    Train or yard crew means one or more railroad employees assigned a 

controlling locomotive, under the charge and control of one crew member; 

called to perform service covered by Section 2 of the Hours of Service 

Act; involved with the train or yard movement of railroad rolling 

equipment they are to work with as an operating crew; reporting and 

working together as a unit that remains in close contact if more than 

one employee; and subject to the railroad operating rules and program of 

operational tests and inspections required in Sec. Sec.  217.9 and 

217.11 of this chapter.

    Utility employee means a railroad employee assigned to and 

functioning as a temporary member of a train or yard crew whose primary 

function is to assist the train or yard crew in the assembly, 

disassembly or classification of rail cars, or operation of trains 

(subject to the conditions set forth in Sec.  218.22 of this chapter).

    Worker means any railroad employee assigned to inspect, test, 

repair, or service railroad rolling equipment, or their components, 

including brake systems. Members of train and yard crews are excluded 

except when assigned such work on railroad rolling equipment that is not 

part of the train or yard movement they have been called to operate (or 

been assigned to as ``utility employees''). Utility employees assigned 

to and functioning as temporary members of a specific train or yard crew 

(subject to the conditions set forth in Sec.  218.22 of this chapter), 

are excluded only when so assigned and functioning.



    Note: Servicing does not include supplying cabooses, locomotives, or 

passenger cars with items such as ice, drinking water, tools, sanitary 

supplies, stationery, or flagging equipment.



    Testing does not include (i) visual observations made by an employee 

positioned on or alongside a caboose, locomotive, or passenger car; or 

(ii) marker inspections made in accordance with the provisions of Sec.  

221.16(b) of this chapter.



[58 FR 43292, Aug. 16, 1993, as amended at 60 FR 11049, Mar. 1, 1995]



[[Page 200]]