Is there any rules that regulate what the condition track has to be for what the railroad hauls on it? Like corn and non hazards the track can be so so. But it to has to be in certain shape for propane tank cars[%-)]?
Yes there are. Trains even has a little write-up on it, that explains it better than I can:
http://www.trains.com/trn/default.aspx?c=a&id=232
THowever, their definition for excepted track leaves out a very important part: you can have no more than 5 placarded hazmat cars on your train to go down FRA excepted track.
We run on some excpeted track. Most of it is a sppur going to one or two (non-hazmat) customers. Excepted track can be best descried as “2 rails stuck in the mud”.
The contents of the Title 49–Transportation of the ‘‘Code of Federal Regulations’’ (“CFR”) - CHAPTER II–FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - PART 213–TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS, can be found at -
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_08/49cfr213_08.html
The ‘‘Excepted Track’’ provision that zugmann correctly describes is Sec. 213.4, and can be found at - it’s less than 1 page -
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2008/octqtr/49cfr213.4.htm
The pertinent provision is Sec. 213.4 Excepted Track., (e) -
‘’(3) No freight train shall be operated that contains more than five
cars required
(You failed to mention the little gem in there about bridges and road crossings not allowed to be excepted track that blows-up a lot of the uninformed arguments…among others, the paving in of track in rails/trails scenario…49CFR214(d))
Except for excepted track, the FRA track standards do not include the type of freight shipped in the track standards. The standards are based upon the maximum train speed to be operated on the trackage.
Passengers do impact the standards to some extent, as trains speeds for each class of track are different for passenger trains
Part D: (d) The identified segment of track is not located on a bridge
including the track approaching the bridge for 100 feet on either side,
or located on a public street or highway, if railroad cars containing
commodities required to be placarded by the Hazardous Materials
Regulations (49 CFR part 172), are moved over the track; and (emphasis, mine - zug)
What does it mean by “ON”? Are we talking about grade crossings, or are we talking about street running?
BOTH
I may be dumb, but I’m not blind. Easy on the font size. Just like all federal writing… enough to get someone in trouble, but not enough to be clear.
Thanks for the info everyone.
FRA’s new “PTC” signal rules will ultimately restrict what track can be used for “toxic by inhalation” haz mat, and scheduled intercity and commuter passenger service. The rules were just announced, but it will liikely be a few years before they impact these services.
I am high-jacking this thread! [}:)] I have come across tracks that the local road crews have paved over. Do they need permission to do that? If the railroad decides to use the tracks, who is responsible (or pays) for the clearing of the rails?
If the track is “out of service” or “embargoed” or other such term, most likely the railroad will when the line is reactivated.
If the line is still in service, then whoever put the asphalt down will be paying for its removal, after the lawyers figure out who that was. Depending upon the mix (grade) of asphalt, a locomotive can recut the flangway if it’s less than 2" over the rail, at less than walking speed.
It was not that long ago in Santa Ana CA where an SP/UP switch engine came around the curve in an industrial park and found a paved over crossing and derailed into a warehouse building. A few weks later another engine turned on its side after encountering flangeways paved-in up by Chino.
If the railroad allowed-it to be paved-in is one thing, if it’s an uppity government’s rubber tired bubbas entity paving it in without the railroad’s knowledge & consent, they get what’s coming to them.
(What did the contract or PUC decision say?)
If you guys will permit me, I am curious about the particular practice of leaving rails and ties under a street, when the line is removed on either side of the street. Here in Kansas they seem to do this on a regular basis, to also include cases where an upaved road is involved.
I was told once by a person who I thought was informed, that the rail section was left under the street so the railroad could reclain the operation at any time they wanted to relay the line. I often suspected it was because the people who took up the line dis not want to have to replace the street or mess with local politics.
Can anyone tell me what the real situation is? THANKS!
The railroad doesn’t what’s in the paved over track unless it’s new. The cost of removing it is more than the scrap value (and it is scrap rail with baseworn rail usually - not re-usable, the ties and the OTM is toast.)
Somebody (pick 'em) is being cheap. Probably is a a better foundation than the rest of the road.
[%-)] If a line is “out of service” or “embargoed,” municipalities can do what they please?
If “by doing whatever they please” you mean “ignore federal, state, and local law, and seize private property without due compensation,” why then yes, they can do whatever they please so long as they don’t mind being in violation of law, paying fines, paying damages, etc.
There is law that applies to at-grade crossings and railroad lines that are out-of-service or embargoed.
RWM
RWM, thanks. It amazes me how complicated things are in the world of railroads.
RWM, thanks. It amazes me how complicated things are in the world of railroads.
Oh, you have no idea…
But seriously, thanks for the best laugh I’ve had in a while. You, sir, are a master of understatement.
After reading the link above, I am wondering, what is the highest class of track possible for a jointed rail main, today?