49 Cfr 233, 235, 236

49 CFR

Part 233

Signal Systems Reporting Requirements

233.5

Accidents resulting from signal failure.

Each carrier shall report within 24 hours to the Federal Railroad Administration by toll free telephone, number 800-424-0201, whenever it learns of the occurrence of an accident/incident arising from the failure of an appliance, device, method or system to function or indicate as required by part 236 of this title that results in a more favorable aspect than intended or other condition hazardous to the movement of a train.

233.7

Signal failure reports.

Each carrier shall report within 15 days each failure of an appliance, device, method, or system to function or indicate as required by part 236 of this title that results in a more favorable aspect than intended or other condition hazardous to the movement of a train. Form FRA F6180-14, "Signal Failure Report,'' shall be used for this purpose and completed in accordance with instructions printed on the form.

233.9

Reports.

Not later than April 1, 1997 and every 5 years thereafter, each carrier shall file with FRA a signal system status report "Signal System Five-year Report" on a form to be provided by FRA in accordance with instructions and definitions provided on the report.

[61 FR 33870, July 01, 1996]

Part 235

Instructions Governing Applications for Approval of a Discontinuance or Material Modification of a Signal System or Relief from the Requirements of Part 236

235.5

Changes requiring filing of application.

(a) Except as provided in § 235.7, applications shall be filed to cover the following:

(1) The discontinuance of a block signal system, interlocking, traffic control system, automatic train stop, train control, or cab signal system or other similar appliance or device;

(2) The decrease of the limits of a block signal system, interlocking, traffic control system, automatic train stop, train control, or cab signal system; or

(3) The modification of a block signal system, interlocking, traffic control system, automatic train stop, train control, or cab signal system.

235.8

Relief from the requirements of part 236 of this title.

Relief from the requirements of the rules, standards and instructions contained in part 236 of this title will be granted upon a adequate showing by an individual carrier. Relief heretofore granted to any carrier shall constitute relief to the same extent as relief granted under the requirements of this part.

[61 FR 33870, July 01, 1996]

235.20

Protests.

(a) A protest against the granting of an application shall set forth specifically the grounds upon which it is made, and contain a concise statement of the interest of protestant in the proceeding.

(b) The original and two copies of any protest shall be filed with the Associate Administrator for Safety, Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, DC 20590, and one copy shall be furnished to each applicant.

(c) Protests should be filed within the time limit set forth in the public notice.

(d) The protestant shall certify that service of a copy of its protest was made upon each applicant.

(e) Request for hearing must be accompanied with a showing why the protestant is unable to properly present his or her position by written statements.

Part 236

Rules, Standards, and Instructions Governing the Installation, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Signal and Train Control Systems, Devices, and Appliances

Part 236 Subpart A

Rules and Instructions: All Systems

General

236.110

Results of tests.

(a) Results of tests made in compliance with § § 236.102 to 236.109, inclusive; 236.376 to 236.387, inclusive; 236.576; 236.577; 236.586 to 236.589, inclusive; and 236.917(a) must be recorded on preprinted forms provided by the railroad or by electronic means, subject to approval by the FRA Associate Administrator for Safety. These records must show the name of the railroad, place and date, equipment tested, results of tests, repairs, replacements, adjustments made, and condition in which the apparatus was left. Each record must be:

(1) Signed by the employee making the test, or electronically coded or identified by number of the automated test equipment (where applicable);

(2) Unless otherwise noted, filed in the office of a supervisory official having jurisdiction; and

(3) Available for inspection and replication by FRA and FRA-certified State inspectors.

(b) Results of tests made in compliance with § 236.587 must be retained for 92 days.

(c) Results of tests made in compliance with § 236.917(a) must be retained as follows:

(1) Results of tests that pertain to installation or modification must be retained for the life-cycle of the equipment tested and may be kept in any office designated by the railroad; and

(2) Results of periodic tests required for maintenance or repair of the equipment tested must be retained until the next record is filed but in no case less than one year.

(d) Results of all other tests listed in this section must be retained until the next record is filed but in no case less than one year.

(e) Electronic or automated tracking systems used to meet the requirements contained in paragraph (a) of this section must be capable of being reviewed and monitored by FRA at any time to ensure the integrity of the system. FRA's Associate Administrator for Safety may prohibit or revoke a railroad's authority to utilize an electronic or automated tracking system in lieu of preprinted forms if FRA finds that the electronic or automated tracking system is not properly secured, is inaccessible to FRA, FRA-certified State inspectors, or railroad employees requiring access to discharge their assigned duties, or fails to adequately track and monitor the equipment. The Associate Administrator for Safety will provide the affected railroad with a written statement of the basis for his or her decision prohibiting or revoking the railroad from utilizing an electronic or automated tracking system.

[53 FR 37313, Sept. 26, 1988; 70 FR 11052, March 07, 2005]

Subpart E

Automatic Train Stop, Train Control and Cab Signal Systems

Standards

236.587

Departure test.

(a) The automatic train stop, train control, or cab signal apparatus on each locomotive, except a locomotive or a multiple-unit car equipped with mechanical trip stop, shall be tested using one of the following methods:

(1) Operation over track elements;

(2) Operation over test circuit;

(3) Use of portable test equipment; or

(4) Use of onboard test device.

(b) The test shall be made on departure of the locomotive from its initial terminal unless that apparatus will be cut out between the initial terminal and the equipped territory. If the apparatus is cut out between the initial terminal and the equipped territory the test shall be made prior to entering equipped territory.

(c) If a locomotive makes more than one trip in any 24-hour period, only one departure test is required in such 24-hour period.

(d)

(1) Whoever performs the test shall certify in writing that such test was properly performed. The certification and the test results shall be posted in the cab of the locomotive and a copy of the certification and test results left at the test location for filing in the office of the supervisory official having jurisdiction.

(2) If it is impractical to leave a copy of the certification and test results at the location of the test, the test results shall be transmitted to either (i) the dispatcher or (ii) one other designated individual at each location, who shall keep a written record of the test results and the name of the person performing the test. These records shall be retained for at least 92 days.

[49 FR 3387, Jan. 26, 1984, as amended at 53 FR 37313, Sept. 26, 1988]

236.590

Pneumatic apparatus.

Automatic train stop, train control, or cab signal pneumatic apparatus shall be inspected, cleaned, and the results of such inspection recorded as provided by 229.29(a). When a locomotive with automatic train stop, train control, or cab signal pneumatic apparatus receives out-of-use credit pursuant to § 229.33, the automatic train stop, train control, or cab signal apparatus shall be tested in accordance with § 236.588 prior to the locomotive being placed in service.

[49 FR 3387, Jan. 26, 1984; 61 FR 33870, July 01, 1996]

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