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[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
[CITE: 49CFR215]

[Page 171-186]
 

TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PART 215--RAILROAD FREIGHT CAR SAFETY STANDARDS


                           Subpart A--General

Sec.
215.1 Scope of part.
215.3 Application.
215.5 Definitions.
215.7 Prohibited acts.
215.9 Movement of defective cars for repair.
215.11 Designated inspectors.
215.13 Pre-departure inspection.
215.15 Periodic inspection.

[[Page 172]]

                    Subpart B--Freight Car Components

215.101 Scope.

                            Suspension System

215.103 Defective wheel.
215.105 Defective axle.
215.107 Defective plain bearing box: General.
215.109 Defective plain bearing box: Journal lubrication system.
215.111 Defective plain bearing.
215.113 Defective plain bearing wedge.
215.115 Defective roller bearing.
215.117 Defective roller bearing adapter.
215.119 Defective freight car truck.

                               Car Bodies

215.121 Defective car body.

                              Draft System

215.123 Defective couplers.
215.125 Defective uncoupling device.
215.127 Defective draft arrangement.
215.129 Defective cushioning device.

                     Subpart C--Restricted Equipment

215.201 Scope.
215.203 Restricted cars.

                          Subpart D--Stenciling

215.301 General.
215.303 Stenciling of restricted cars.
215.305 Stenciling of maintenance-of-way equipment.

Appendix A to Part 215--Railroad Freight Car Components
Appendix B to Part 215--Schedule of Civil Penalties
Appendix C to Part 215--FRA Freight Car Standards Defect Code
Appendix D to Part 215--Pre-Departure Inspection Procedure

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 20103, 20107; 28 U.S.C. 2461, note; and 49 CFR 
1.49.

    Source: 44 FR 77340, Dec. 31, 1979, unless otherwise noted.

                           Subpart A--General

Sec. 215.1  Scope of part.

    This part prescribes minimum Federal safety standards for railroad 
freight cars.

Sec. 215.3  Application.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, 
this part applies to each railroad freight car in service on:
    (1) Standard gage track of a railroad; or
    (2) Any other standard gage track while the car is being operated 
by, or is otherwise under the control of, a railroad.
    (b) Sections 215.15 and 215.303 of this part do not apply to any 
car:
    (1) Owned by a Canadian or Mexican Railroad; and
    (2) Having a Canadian or Mexican reporting mark and car number.
    (c) This part does not apply to a railroad freight car that is:
    (1) Operated solely on track inside an industrial or other non-
railroad installation; or
    (2) Used exclusively in dedicated service as defined in 
Sec. 215.5(d) of this part; or
    (3) Maintenance-of-way equipment (including self-propelled 
maintenance-of-way equipment) if that equipment is not used in revenue 
service and is stenciled in accordance with Sec. 215.305 of this part.
    (4) Operated in a passenger train and that is inspected, tested, 
maintained, and operated pursuant to the requirements contained in part 
238 of this chapter.

[44 FR 77340, Dec. 31, 1979, as amended at 65 FR 41305, July 3, 2000]

Sec. 215.5  Definitions.

    As used in this part:
    (a) Break means a fracture resulting in complete separation into 
parts;
    (b) Cracked means fractured without complete separation into parts, 
except that castings with shrinkage cracks or hot tears that do not 
significantly diminish the strength of the member are not considered to 
be ``cracked'';
    (c) Railroad freight car means a car designed to carry freight, or 
railroad personnel, by rail and includes a:
    (1) Box car;
    (2) Refrigerator car;
    (3) Ventilator car;
    (4) Stock car;
    (5) Gondola car;
    (6) Hopper car;
    (7) Flat car;
    (8) Special car;
    (9) Caboose car;
    (10) Tank car; and
    (11) Yard car.

[[Page 173]]

    (d) Dedicated service means the exclusive assignment of cars to the 
transportation of freight between specified points under the following 
conditions:
    (1) The cars are operated--
    (i) Primarily on track that is inside an industrial or other non-
railroad installation; and
    (ii) Only occasionally over track of a railroad;
    (2) The cars are not operated--
    (i) At speeds of more than 15 miles per hour; and
    (ii) Over track of a railroad--
    (A) For more than 30 miles in one direction; or
    (B) On a round trip of more than 60 miles;
    (3) The cars are not freely interchanged among railroads;
    (4) The words ``Dedicated Service'' are stenciled, or otherwise 
displayed, in clearly legible letters on each side of the car body;
    (5) The cars have been examined and found safe to operate in 
dedicated service; and
    (6) The railroad must--
    (i) Notify the FRA in writing that the cars are to be operated in 
dedicated service;
    (ii) Identify in that notice--
    (A) The railroads affected;
    (B) The number and type of cars involved;
    (C) The commodities being carried; and
    (D) The territorial and speed limits within which the cars will be 
operated; and
    (iii) File the notice required by this paragraph not less than 30 
days before the cars operate in dedicated service;
    (e) In service when used in connection with a railroad freight car, 
means each railroad freight car subject to this part unless the car:
    (1) Has a ``bad order'' or ``home shop for repairs'' tag or card 
containing the prescribed information attached to each side of the car 
and is being handled in accordance with Sec. 215.9 of this part;
    (2) Is in a repair shop or on a repair track;
    (3) Is on a storage track and is empty; or
    (4) Has been delivered in interchange but has not been accepted by 
the receiving carrier.
    (f) Railroad means all forms of non-highway ground transportation 
that run on rails or electromagnetic guideways, including (1) commuter 
or other short-haul rail passenger service in a metropolitan or suburban 
area, and (2) high speed ground transportation systems that connect 
metropolitan areas, without regard to whether they use new technologies 
not associated with traditional railroads. Such term does not include 
rapid transit operations within an urban area that are not connected to 
the general railroad system of transportation.
    (g) State inspector means an inspector who is participating in 
investigative and surveillance activities under section 206 of the 
Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (45 U.S.C. 435).

[44 FR 77340, Dec. 31, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 26710, Apr. 21, 1980; 
54 FR 33228, Aug. 14, 1989]

Sec. 215.7  Prohibited acts.

    Any person (an entity of any type covered under 1 U.S.C. 1, 
including but not limited to the following: a railroad; a manager, 
supervisor, official, or other employee or agent of a railroad; any 
owner, manufacturer, lessor, or lessee of railroad equipment, track, or 
facilities; any independent contractor providing goods or services to a 
railroad; and any employee of such owner, manufacturer, lessor, lessee, 
or independent contractor) who violates any requirement of this part or 
causes the violation of any such requirement is subject to a civil 
penalty of at least $500 and not more than $11,000 per violation, except 
that: Penalties may be assessed against individuals only for willful 
violations, and, where a grossly negligent violation or a pattern of 
repeated violations has created an imminent hazard of death or injury to 
persons, or has caused death or injury, a penalty not to exceed $22,000 
per violation may be assessed. Each day a violation continues shall 
constitute a separate offense. See appendix B to this

[[Page 174]]

part for a statement of agency civil penalty policy.

[53 FR 28599, July 28, 1988, as amended at 53 FR 52925, Dec. 29, 1988; 
63 FR 11620, Mar. 10, 1998]

Sec. 215.9  Movement of defective cars for repair.

    (a) A railroad freight car which has any component described as 
defective in this part may be moved to another location for repair only 
after the railroad has complied with the following:
    (1) A person designated under Sec. 215.11 shall determine:
    (i) That it is safe to move the car; and
    (ii) The maximum speed and other restrictions necessary for safely 
conducting the movement;
    (2)(i) The person in charge of the train in which the car is to be 
moved shall be notified in writing and inform all other crew members of 
the presence of the defective car and the maximum speed and other 
restrictions determined under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section.
    (ii) A copy of the tag or card described in paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section may be used to provide the notification required by paragraph 
(a)(2)(i) of this section.
    (3) A tag or card bearing the words ``bad order'' or ``home shop for 
repairs'' and containing the following information, shall be securely 
attached to each side of the car--
    (i) The reporting mark and car number;
    (ii) The name of the inspecting railroad;
    (iii) The inspection location and date;
    (iv) The nature of each defect;
    (v) Movement restrictions;
    (vi) The destination for shopping or repair; and
    (vii) The signature of a person designated under Sec. 215.11.
    (b)(1) The tag or card required by paragraph (a)(3) of this section 
may only be removed from the car by a person designated under 
Sec. 215.11 of this part.
    (2) A record or copy of each tag or card attached to or removed from 
a car shall be retained for 90 days and, upon request, shall be made 
available within 15 calendar days for inspection by FRA or State 
inspectors.
    (3) Each tag or card removed from a car shall contain a notification 
stating the date, location, reason for its removal, and the signature of 
the person who removed it from the car. These recordkeeping requirements 
have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget in accordance 
with the Federal Reports Act of 1942.
    (c) Movement of a freight car under paragraph (a) of this section 
may be made only for the purpose of effecting repairs. If the car is 
empty, it may not be placed for loading. If the car is loaded, it may 
not be placed for unloading unless unloading is consistent with 
determinations made and restrictions imposed under paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section and--
    (1) The car is consigned for a destination on the line of haul 
between the point where the car was found defective and the point where 
repairs are made; or
    (2) Unloading is necessary for the safe repair of the car.
    (d) Nothing in this section authorizes the movement of a freight car 
subject to a Special Notice for Repairs unless the movement is made in 
accordance with the restrictions contained in the Special Notice.

[44 FR 77340, Dec. 31, 1979; 45 FR 26710, Apr. 21, 1980]

Sec. 215.11  Designated inspectors.

    (a) Each railroad that operates railroad freight cars to which this 
part applies shall designate persons qualified to inspect railroad 
freight cars for compliance with this part and to make the 
determinations required by Sec. 215.9 of this part.
    (b) Each person designated under this section shall have 
demonstrated to the railroad a knowledge and ability to inspect railroad 
freight cars for compliance with the requirements of this part and to 
make the determinations required by Sec. 215.9 of this part.
    (c) With respect to designations under this section, each railroad 
shall maintain written records of:
    (1) Each designation in effect; and
    (2) The basis for each designation.

[45 FR 26710, Apr. 21, 1980]

[[Page 175]]

Sec. 215.13  Pre-departure inspection.

    (a) At each location where a freight car is placed in a train, the 
freight car shall be inspected before the train departs. This inspection 
may be made before or after the car is placed in the train.
    (b) At a location where an inspector designated under Sec. 215.11 is 
on duty for the purpose of inspecting freight cars, the inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this section shall be made by that 
inspector to determine whether the car is in compliance with this part.
    (c) At a location where a person designated under Sec. 215.11 is not 
on duty for the purpose of inspecting freight cars, the inspection 
required by paragraph (a) shall, as a minimum, be made for those 
conditions set forth in appendix D to this part.
    (d) Performance of the inspection prescribed by this section does 
not relieve a railroad of its liability under Sec. 215.7 for failure to 
comply with any other provision of this part.

[45 FR 26710, Apr. 21, 1980]

Sec. 215.15  Periodic inspection.

    (a) After June 30, 1980, a railroad may not place or continue in 
service a freight car that has not received an initial periodic 
inspection in accordance with 49 CFR 215.25, as in effect on October 6, 
1976 (41 FR 44044), unless--
    (1) The car is a high utilization car built or reconditioned after 
December 31, 1977; or
    (2) The car is a non-high utilization car built or reconditioned 
after December 31, 1971.
    (b) A freight car that has received an initial periodic inspection 
under paragraph (a) of this section shall be stenciled to so indicate in 
accordance with 49 CFR 215.11 and appendix C of this part, as in effect 
on October 6, 1976 (41 FR 44044). This stenciling need not be retained 
on the car after June 30, 1981.
    (c) As used in this section, ``high utilization car'' means a car--
    (1) Specifically equipped to carry trucks, automobiles, containers, 
trailers, or removable trailer bodies for the transportation of freight; 
or
    (2) Assigned to a train that operates in a continuous round trip 
cycle between the same two points.

                    Subpart B--Freight Car Components

Sec. 215.101  Scope.

    This subpart contains safety requirements prohibiting a railroad 
from placing or continuing in service a freight car that has certain 
defective components.

                            Suspension System

Sec. 215.103  Defective wheel.

    A railroad may not place or continue in service a car, if--
    (a) A wheel flange on the car is worn to a thickness of \7/8\ of an 
inch, or less, at a point \3/8\ of an inch above the tread of the wheel;
    (b) The height of a wheel flange on the car, from the tread to the 
top of the flange, is 1\1/2\ inches, or more;
    (c) The thickness of a rim of a wheel on the car is \11/16\ of an 
inch, or less;
    (d) A wheel rim, flange, plate, or hub area on the car has a crack 
or break;
    (e) A wheel on the car has a chip or gouge in the flange that is 
1\1/2\ inches in length and \1/2\ inch in width, or more;
    (f) A wheel on the car has--
    (1) A slid flat or shelled spot that is more than 2\1/2\ inches in 
length; or
    (2) Two adjoining flat or shelled spots each of which is more than 
two inches in length;
    (g) A wheel on the car shows evidence of being loose such as oil 
seepage on the back hub or back plate;
    (h) A wheel on the car shows signs of having been overheated as 
evidenced by a reddish brown discoloration, to a substantially equal 
extent on both the front and the back face of the rim, that extends on 
either face more than four inches into the plate area measured from the 
inner edge of the front or back face of the rim; or,
    (i) A wheel on the car has been welded unless the car is being moved 
for repair in accordance with Sec. 215.9 of this part.

[44 FR 77340, Dec. 31, 1979, as amended at 50 FR 13382, Apr. 4, 1985]

Sec. 215.105  Defective axle.

    A railroad may not place or continue in service a car, if--
    (a) An axle on the car has a crack or is broken;

[[Page 176]]

    (b) An axle on the car has a gouge in the surface that is--
    (1) Between the wheel seats; and
    (2) More than one-eighth inch in depth;
    (c) An axle on the car, used in conjunction with a plain bearing, 
has an end collar that is broken or cracked;
    (d) A journal on the car shows evidence of overheating, as evidenced 
by a pronounced blue black discoloration; or
    (e) The surface of the plain bearing journal on the axle, or the 
fillet on the axle, has--
    (1) A ridge;
    (2) A depression;
    (3) A circumferential score;
    (4) Corrugation;
    (5) A scratch;
    (6) A continuous streak;
    (7) Pitting;
    (8) Rust; or
    (9) Etching.

Sec. 215.107  Defective plain bearing box: General.

    A railroad may not place or continue in service a car, if the car 
has--
    (a) A plain bearing box that does not contain visible free oil;
    (b) A plain bearing box lid that is missing, broken, or open except 
to receive servicing; or
    (c) A plain bearing box containing foreign matter, such as dirt, 
sand, or coal dust, that can reasonably be expected to--
    (1) Damage the bearing; or
    (2) Have a detrimental effect on the lubrication of the journal and 
the bearings.

Sec. 215.109  Defective plain bearing box: Journal lubrication system.

    A railroad may not place or continue in service a car, if the car 
has a plain bearing box with a lubricating pad that--
    (a) Has a tear extending half the length or width of the pad, or 
more;
    (b) Shows evidence of having been scorched, burned, or glazed;
    (c) Contains decaying or deteriorated fabric that impairs proper 
lubrication of the pad;
    (d) Has--
    (1) An exposed center core (except by design); or
    (2) Metal parts contacting the journal; or
    (e) Is--
    (1) Missing; or
    (2) Not in contact with the journal.

Sec. 215.111  Defective plain bearing.

    A railroad may not place or continue in service a car, if the car 
has a plain bearing--
    (a) That is missing, cracked, or broken;
    (b) On which the bearing liner--
    (1) Is loose; or
    (2) Has a broken out piece; or
    (c) That shows signs of having been overheated, as evidenced by--
    (1) Melted babbitt;
    (2) Smoke from hot oil; or
    (3) Journal surface damage.

Sec. 215.113  Defective plain bearing wedge.

    A railroad may not place or continue in service a car, if a plain 
bearing wedge on that car is--
    (a) Missing;
    (b) Cracked;
    (c) Broken; or
    (d) Not located in its design position.

Sec. 215.115  Defective roller bearing.

    (a) A railroad may not place or continue in service a car, if the 
car has--
    (1) A roller bearing that shows signs of having been overheated as 
evidenced by--
    (i) Discoloration; or
    (ii) Other telltale signs of overheating such as damage to the seal 
or distortion of any bearing component;
    (2) A roller bearing with a--
    (i) Loose or missing cap screw; or
    (ii) Broken, missing, or improperly applied cap screw lock; or
    (3) A roller bearing with a seal that is loose or damaged, or 
permits leakage of lubricant in clearly formed droplets.
    (b)(1) A railroad may not continue in service a car that has a 
roller bearing whose truck was involved in a derailment unless the 
bearing has been inspected and tested by:
    (i) Visual examination to determine whether it shows any sign of 
damage; and

[[Page 177]]

    (ii) Spinning freely its wheel set or manually rotating the bearing 
to determine whether the bearing makes any unusual noise.
    (2) The roller bearing shall be disassembled from the axle and 
inspected internally if--
    (i) It shows any external sign of damage;
    (ii) It makes any unusual noise when its wheel set is spun freely or 
the bearing is manually rotated;
    (iii) Its truck was involved in a derailment at a speed of more than 
10 miles per hour; or
    (iv) Its truck was dragged on the ground for more than 200 feet.
    (3) Each defective roller bearing shall be repaired or replaced 
before the car is placed back in service.

[44 FR 77340, Dec. 31, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 26711, Apr. 21, 1980]

Sec. 215.117  Defective roller bearing adapter.

    A railroad may not place or continue in service a car, if the car 
has a roller bearing adapter that is--
    (a) Cracked or broken;
    (b) Not in its design position; or
    (c) Worn on the crown of the adapter to the extent that the frame 
bears on the relief portion of the adapter, as shown in the figure below 
(see figure 1).

Sec. 215.119  Defective freight car truck.

    A railroad may not place or continue in service a car, if the car 
has--
    (a) A side frame or bolster that--
    (1) Is broken; or
    (2) Has a crack of \1/4\ of an inch or more in the transverse 
direction on a tension member;
    (b) A truck equipped with a snubbing device that is ineffective, as 
evidenced by--
    (1) A snubbing friction element that is worn beyond a wear 
indicator;
    (2) A snubber wear plate that is loose, missing (except by design), 
or worn through;
    (3) A broken or missing snubber activating spring; or
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC01AP91.002
    

[[Page 178]]


    (4) Snubber unit that is broken, or in the case of hydraulic units, 
is broken or leaking clearly formed droplets of oil or other fluid.
    (c) A side bearing in any of the following conditions:
    (1) Part of the side bearing assembly is missing or broken;
    (2) The bearings at one end of the car, on both sides, are in 
contact with the body bolster (except by design);
    (3) The bearings at one end of the car have a total clearance from 
the body bolster of more than \3/4\ of an inch; or
    (4) At diagonally opposite sides of the car, the bearings have a 
total clearance from the body bolsters of more than \3/4\ of an inch;
    (d) Truck springs--
    (1) That do not maintain travel or load;
    (2) That are compressed solid; or
    (3) More than one outer spring of which is broken, or missing, in 
any spring cluster;
    (e) Interference between the truck bolster and the center plate that 
prevents proper truck rotations; or
    (f) Brake beam shelf support worn so excessively that it does not 
support the brake beam.

                               Car Bodies

Sec. 215.121  Defective car body.

    A railroad may not place or continue in service a car, if:
    (a) Any portion of the car body, truck, or their appurtenances 
(except wheels) has less than a 2\1/2\ inch clearance from the top of 
rail;
    (b) The car center sill is:
    (1) Broken;
    (2) Cracked more than 6 inches; or
    (3) Permanently bent or buckled more than 2\1/2\ inches in any six 
foot length;
    (c) The car has a coupler carrier that is:
    (1) Broken;
    (2) Missing;
    (3) Non-resilient and the coupler has a type F head.
    (d) After December 1, 1983, the car is a box car and its side doors 
are not equipped with operative hangers, or the equivalent, to prevent 
the doors from becoming disengaged.
    (e) The car has a center plate:
    (1) That is not properly secured;
    (2) Any portion of which is missing; or
    (3) That is broken; or
    (4) That has two or more cracks through its cross section 
(thickness) at the edge of the plate that extend to the portion of the 
plate that is obstructed from view while the truck is in place; or
    (f) The car has a broken sidesill, crossbearer, or body bolster.

[44 FR 77340, Dec. 31, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 53737, Dec. 29, 1982]

                              Draft System

Sec. 215.123  Defective couplers.

    A railroad may not place or continue in service a car, if--
    (a) The car is equipped with a coupler shank that is bent out of 
alignment to the extent that the coupler will not couple automatically 
with the adjacent car;
    (b) The car has a coupler that has a crack in the highly stressed 
junction area of the shank and head as shown in the figure below (see 
figure 2).
    (c) The car has a coupler knuckle that is broken or cracked on the 
inside pulling face of the knuckle.
    (d) The car has a knuckle pin or knuckle thrower that is:
    (1) Missing; or
    (2) Inoperative; or
    (e) The car has a coupler retainer pin lock that is--

[[Page 179]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC01AP91.003

    (1) Missing; or
    (2) Broken; or
    (f) The car has a coupler with any of the following conditions:
    (1) The locklift is inoperative;
    (2) The coupler assembly does not have anticreep protection to 
prevent unintentional unlocking of the coupler lock; or
    (3) The coupler lock is--
    (i) Missing;
    (ii) Inoperative;
    (iii) Bent;
    (iv) Cracked; or
    (v) Broken.

Sec. 215.125  Defective uncoupling device.

    A railroad may not place or continue in service a car, if the car 
has an uncoupling device without sufficient vertical and lateral 
clearance to prevent--
    (a) Fouling on curves; or
    (b) Unintentional uncouplings.

Sec. 215.127  Defective draft arrangement.

    A railroad may not place or continue in service a car, if--
    (a) The car has a draft gear that is inoperative;
    (b) The car has a broken yoke;
    (c) An end of car cushioning unit is--
    (1) Leaking clearly formed droplets; or
    (2) Inoperative;
    (d) A vertical coupler pin retainer plate--
    (1) Is missing (except by design); or
    (2) Has a missing fastener;
    (e) The car has a draft key, or draft key retainer, that is--

[[Page 180]]

    (1) Inoperative; or
    (2) Missing; or
    (f) The car has a missing or broken follower plate.

Sec. 215.129  Defective cushioning device.

    A railroad may not place or continue in service a car if it has a 
cushioning device that is--
    (a) Broken;
    (b) Inoperative; or
    (c) Missing a part--

unless its sliding components have been effectively immobilized.

                     Subpart C--Restricted Equipment

Sec. 215.201  Scope.

    This subpart contains requirements restricting the use of certain 
railroad freight cars.

215.203  Restricted cars.

    (a) This section restricts the operation of any railroad freight car 
that is--
    (1) More than 50 years old, measured from the date of original 
construction;
    (2) Equipped with any design or type component listed in appendix A 
to this part; or
    (3) Equipped with a Duryea underframe constructed before April 1, 
1950, except for a caboose which is operated as the last car in a train.
    (b) A railroad may not place or continue in service a railroad 
freight car described in paragraph (a) of this section, except under 
conditions approved by the Federal Railroad Administrator.
    (c) A railroad may petition the Administrator to continue in service 
a car described in paragraph (a) of this section. Each petition shall be
    (1) Be submitted not less than 90 days before the car is to be 
operated;
    (2) Be submitted in triplicate; and
    (3) State or describe the following:
    (i) The name and principal business address of the petitioning 
railroad.
    (ii) The name and address of the entity that controls the operation 
and maintenance of the car involved.
    (iii) The number, type, capacity, reporting marks, and car numbers 
of the cars, their condition, status, and age measured from the date of 
original construction.
    (iv) The design, type component, or other item that causes the car 
to be restricted.
    (v) The maximum load the cars would carry.
    (vi) The maximum speed at which the cars would be operated.
    (vii) That each car has been examined and found to be safe to 
operate under the conditions set forth in the petition.
    (viii) The territorial limits within which the cars are to be 
operated and the name of each railroad that will receive the cars in 
interchange.

                          Subpart D--Stenciling

Sec. 215.301  General.

    The railroad or private car owner reporting mark, the car number, 
and built date shall be stenciled, or otherwise displayed, in clearly 
legible letters and numbers not less than seven inches high, except 
those of the built date which shall not be less than one inch high:
    (a) On each side of each railroad freight car body; and
    (b) In the case of a tank car, in any location that is visible to a 
person walking at track level beside the car.

Sec. 215.303  Stenciling of restricted cars.

    (a) Each restricted railroad freight car that is described in 
Sec. 215.205(a) of this part shall be stenciled, or marked--
    (1) In clearly legible letters; and
    (2) In accordance with paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
    (b) The letter ``R'' shall be--
    (1) Placed immediately below or to the right of the car number;
    (2) The same color as the reporting mark; and
    (3) The same size as the reporting mark.
    (c) The following terms, to the extent needed to completely indicate 
the basis for the restricted operation of the car, shall be placed on 
the car following the symbol ``R'' in letters not less than one inch 
high:
    (1) Age.
    (2) Coupler.
    (3) Draft.
    (4) Bearings.
    (5) Truck.

[[Page 181]]

    (6) Underframe.
    (7) Wheels.
    (8) Yoke.

Sec. 215.305  Stenciling of maintenance-of-way equipment.

    (a) Maintenance-of-way equipment (including self-propelled 
maintenance-of-way equipment) described in Sec. 215.3(c)(3) shall be 
stenciled, or marked--
    (1) In clearly legible letters; and
    (2) In accordance with paragraph (b) of this section.
    (b) The letters ``MW'' must be--
    (1) At least 2 inches high; and
    (2) Placed on each side of the car.

[44 FR 77340, Dec. 31, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 26711, Apr. 21, 1980]

         Appendix A to Part 215--Railroad Freight Car Components

    List of components whose use is restricted by Sec. 215.203 of this 
part.

A. Air brakes:
    The ``K'' type.

B. Axles:
    1. Former AAR alternate standard tubular type.
    2. Axle with letters ``RJ'' stamped on the end of the journal.

C. Couplers:
    1. AAR type ``D'', top or bottom operated.
    2. AAR type ``E'' with 5<gr-thn-eq> by 7<gr-thn-eq> shank.

D. Draft arrangement:
    1. Miner FR-16 and FR-19-F draft gears.
    2. Farlow draft attachment.

E. Plain journal bearings:
    Cartridge type.

F. Roller bearings:
    1. Nippon Sieko Kabushiki Kaish (NSK) size 6\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> by 
12<gr-thn-eq> (marked ``AAR 11'').
    2. Hyatt cylindrical bearing, all sizes (marked ``AAR 2'').
    3. SKF ``Piggybacker'' spherical roller, size 6<gr-thn-eq> by 
11<gr-thn-eq> (marked ``AAR 7'').

G. Trucks:
    1. Arch bar type.
    2. Truck with cast steel pedestal side frame, short wheel base, and 
no bolster.

H. Truck bolsters:
    1. A bolster with one of the following pattern numbers listed 
according to manufacturer:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Dresser                Lenoir car
               A.S.F.                (Symington)   Birdsboro     works
------------------------------------------------------------------------
21183-B............................      BO 5234        1458     CS-184.
                                     ...........        1468
21183-N............................      BO 5263        1471     CS-611.
                                         BO 7076
21648-C............................    BO 7076-A
22056-E............................      BO 7115
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. Bolster cast before 1927.
    3. Bolster without an identification mark or pattern number.
I. 1. Truck side frames:
    A side frame with one of the following pattern numbers listed 
according to manufacturer:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       National
               A.S.F.                  castings     Buckeye    Dominion
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7273................................    33793-1B      3-1776     TF-5100
7323................................  ..........       F-420
21362 (cast prior to June 1941).....
------------------------------------------------------------------------


------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Canadian
      Pittsburgh steel foundry          Scullin   Bettendorf     steel
                                         steel                  foundry
------------------------------------------------------------------------
31673...............................   42-CS-180      UT 456       26565
4-1862..............................
3-1674..............................        4665
4-2045..............................        4770
12897...............................        4942
12921...............................        5220
21263...............................        5364
                                          5364-C
                                          5364-E
                                          5811-A
                                          5869-B
                                          6577-A
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. Side frame cast before 1927.
    3. Side frame without an identification mark or pattern number.
    4. Side frame with an ``I'', ``T'', or ``L'' section compression or 
tension member.
J. Wheels:
    1. Cast iron wheel.
    2. Cast steel wheel marked ``AAR X-2.''
    3. Southern cast steel wheel manufactured before May 7, 1958.
    4. Griffin, three-riser cast steel wheel, ball rim design, 70-ton 
capacity.
    5. Griffin, three-riser cast steel wheel, two-wear, 70- and 50-ton 
capacity, 33 inch, (marked X-5 or CS-2).
    6. Wrought steel wheel manufactured before 1927, as indicated by 
marking on wheel.
    7. Cast steel wheel marked AAR X-4.
    8. Davis cast steel wheel.
    9. One-wear, 70-ton Southern (ABEX) U1 cast steel wheels dated May 
7, 1958 through December 31, 1969.
    A. Wheels dated May 7, 1958, to January 1, 1964, are marked with the 
symbol ``70T'' cast on the back of the wheel plate; they are not marked 
``U-1.''

[[Page 182]]

    B. Wheels dated January 1, 1964 through December 31, 1969, are 
marked with the symbols ``CJ-33'' and ``U-1'' or ``70T'' and ``U-1'' 
cast on the back of the wheel plate.
K. Yokes:
    1. Riveted type.
    2. Keyless type.
    3. Vertical key type.

         Appendix B to Part 215--Schedule of Civil Penalties \1\

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Willful
                    Section                      Violation    violation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart A--General:
    215.9 Movement for repair:
        (a), (c)..............................        (\1\)        (\1\)
        (b)...................................       $2,500       $5,000
    215.11 Designation of qualified persons...        2,500        5,000
    215.13 Pre-departure inspection...........        2,000        4,000
Subpart B--Freight Car Components:
    215.103 Defective wheel:
        (a) Flange thickness of:
            (1) 7/8<gr-thn-eq> or less but            2,500        5,000
             more than \13/16\<gr-thn-eq>.....
            (2) \13/16\<gr-thn-eq> or less....        5,000        7,500
        (b) Flange height of:
            (1) 1\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> or greater          2,500        5,000
             but less than 1\5/8\<gr-thn-eq>..
            (2) 1\5/8\<gr-thn-eq> or more.....        5,000        7,500
        (c) Rim thickness of:
            (1) \11/16\<gr-thn-eq> or less but        2,500        5,000
             more than \5/8\<gr-thn-eq>.......
            (2) \5/8\<gr-thn-eq> or less......        5,000        7,500
        (d) Wheel rim, flange plate hub width:
            (1) Crack of less than 1<gr-thn-          2,500        5,000
             eq>..............................
            (2) Crack of 1<gr-thn-eq> or more.        5,000        7,500
            (3) Break.........................        5,000        7,500
        (e) Chip or gouge in flange of:
            (1) 1\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> or more but         2,500        5,000
             less than 1\5/8\<gr-thn-eq> in
             length; and \1/2\<gr-thn-eq> or
             more but less than \5/8\<gr-thn-
             eq> in width.....................
            (2) 1\5/8\<gr-thn-eq> or more in          5,000        7,500
             length; or \5/8\<gr-thn-eq> or
             more in width....................
        (f) Slid flat or shelled spot(s):
            (1)(i) One spot more than 2\1/            2,500        5,000
             2\<gr-thn-eq>, but less than 3<gr-
             thn-eq>, in length...............
             (ii) One spot 3<gr-thn-eq> or            5,000        7,500
             more in length...................
            (2)(i) Two adjoining spots each of        2,500        5,000
             which is more than 2<gr-thn-eq>
             but less than 2\1/2\<gr-thn-eq>
             in length........................
             (ii) Two adjoining spots both of         5,000        7,500
             which are at least 2<gr-thn-eq>
             in length, if either spot is 2\1/
             2\<gr-thn-eq>, or more in length.
        (g) Loose on axle                             6,000        8,500
        (h) Overheated; discoloration
         extending:
            (1) more than 4<gr-thn-eq> but            2,500        5,000
             less than 4\1/2\<gr-thn-eq>......
            (2) 4\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> or more.....        5,000        7,500
        (i) Welded                                    5,000        7,500
    215.105 Defective axle:
        (a)(1) Crack of 1<gr-thn-eq> or less..        2,500        5,000
         (2) Crack of more than 1<gr-thn-eq>..        5,000        7,500
         (3) Break............................        6,000        8,500
        (b) Gouge in surface that is between          2,500        5,000
         the wheel seats and is more than \1/
         8\<gr-thn-eq> in depth...............
        (c) End collar with crack or break....        2,500        5,000
        (d) Journal overheated................        5,000        7,500
        (e) Journal surface has: a ridge; a           2,500        5,000
         depression; a circumferential score;
         corrugation; a scratch; a continuous
         streak; pitting; rust; or etching....
    215.107 Defective plain bearing box:
     general:
        (a)(1) No visible free oil............        1,500        3,000
         (2) Lubricating pad dry (no                  5,000        7,500
         expression of oil observed when pad
         is compressed).......................
        (b) Box lid is missing, broken, or            1,000        2,000
         open except to receive servicing.....
        (c) Contains foreign matter that can          2,500        5,000
         be expected to damage the bearing or
         have a detrimental effect on the
         lubrication of the journal and
         bearing..............................
    215.109 Defective plain bearing box:
     journal lubrication system:
        (a) Lubricating pad has a tear........        1,000        2,000
        (b) Lubricating pad scorched, burned,         2,500        5,000
         or glazed............................
        (c) Lubricating pad contains decaying         2,500        5,000
         or deteriorating fabric..............
        (d) Lubricating pad has an exposed            2,500        5,000
         center core or metal parts contacting
         the journal..........................
        (e) Lubricating pad is missing or not         5,000        7,500
         in contact with the journal..........
    215.111 Defective plain bearing:
        (a) Missing...........................        5,000        7,500
        (b) Bearing liner is loose or has             2,500        5,000
         piece broken out.....................
        (c) Overheated........................        5,000        7,500
    215.113 Defective plain bearing wedge:
        (a) Missing...........................        5,000        7,500
        (b) Cracked...........................        2,500        5,000

[[Page 183]]


        (c) Broken............................        5,000        7,500
        (d) Not located in its design position        5,000        7,500
    215.115 Defective roller bearing:
        (a)(1) Overheated.....................        5,000        7,500
         (2) (i) Cap screw(s) loose...........        2,500        5,000
             (ii) Cap screw lock broken,              1,000        2,000
             missing or improperly applied....
         (3) Seal is loose or damaged, or             2,500        5,000
         permits leakage of lubricant.........
        (b)(1) Not inspected and tested after         2,500        5,000
         derailment...........................
         (2) Not disassembled after derailment        2,500        5,000
         (3) Not repaired or replaced after           5,000        7,500
         derailment...........................
    215.117 Defective roller bearing adapter:
        (a) Cracked or broken.................        2,500        5,000
        (b) Not in its design position........        5,000        7,500
        (c) Worn on the crown.................        2,500        5,000
    215.119 Defective freight car truck:
        (a)(1) A side frame or bolster that is        5,000        7,500
         broken...............................
         (2)(i) Side frame or bolster with            2,500        5,000
         crack of: \1/4\<gr-thn-eq> or more,
         but less than 1<gr-thn-eq>...........
             (ii) 1<gr-thn-eq> or more........        5,000        7,500
        (b) A snubbing device that is                 2,500        5,000
         ineffective or missing...............
        (c) Side bearing(s):
            (1) Assembly missing or broken....        5,000        7,500
            (2) In contact except by design...        5,000        7,500
            (3), (4) Total clearance at one
             end or at diagonally opposite
             sides of:........................
             (i) more than \3/4\<gr-thn-eq>           2,500        5,000
             but not more than 1<gr-thn-eq>...
             (ii) more than 1<gr-thn-eq>......        5,000        7,500
        (d) Truck spring(s):
            (1) Do not maintain travel or load        2,500        5,000
            (2) Compressed solid..............        2,500        5,000
            (3) Outer truck springs broken or
             missing:
             (i) Two outer springs............        2,500        5,000
             (ii) Three or more outer springs.        5,000        7,500
        (e) Truck bolster-center plate                5,000        7,500
         interference.........................
        (f) Brake beam shelf support worn.....        2,500        5,000
    215.121 Defective car body:
        (a) Has less than 2\1/2\<gr-thn-eq>           2,500        5,000
         clearance from the top of rail.......
        (b) Car center sill is:
            (1) Broken........................        6,000        8,500
            (2) Cracked more than 6<gr-thn-eq>        2,500        5,000
            (3) Bent or buckled more than 2\1/        2,500        5,000
             2\<gr-thn-eq> in any 6' length...
        (c) Coupler carrier that is broken or         2,500        5,000
         missing..............................
        (d) Car door not equipped with                5,000        7,500
         operative safety hangers.............
        (e)(1) Center plate not properly              5,000        7,500
         secured..............................
         (2) Portion missing..................        2,500        5,000
         (3) Broken...........................        5,000        7,500
         (4) Two or more cracks...............        2,500        5,000
        (f) Broken sidesill, crossbearer, or          2,500        5,000
         body bolster.........................
    215.123 Defective couplers:
        (a) Shank bent out of alignment.......        1,000        2,000
        (b) Crack in highly stressed junction         2,500        5,000
         area.................................
        (c) Coupler knuckle broken or cracked.        2,500        5,000
        (d) Coupler knuckle pin or thrower            2,500        5,000
         that is missing or inoperative.......
        (e) Coupler retainer pin lock that is         1,000        2,000
         missing or broken....................
        (f) Coupler with following conditions:        2,500        5,000
         locklift inoperative; no anticreep
         protection; or coupler lock is
         missing, inoperative, bent, cracked,
         or broken............................
    215.125 Defective uncoupling device.......        2,500        5,000
    215.127 Defective draft arrangement:
        (a) Draft gear that is inoperative....        2,500        5,000
        (b) Yoke that is broken...............        2,500        5,000
        (c) End of car cushioning unit is             2,500        5,000
         leaking or inoperative...............
        (d) Vertical coupler pin retainer             5,000        7,500
         plate missing or has missing fastner.
        (e) Draft key or draft key retainer           5,000        7,500
         that is inoperative or missing.......
        (f) Follower plate that is missing or         2,500        5,000
         broken...............................
    215.129 Defective cushioning device.......        2,500        5,000
Subpart C--Restricted equipment:
    215.203 Restricted cars...................        2,500        5,000
Subpart D--Stencilling:
    215.301 General...........................        1,000        2,000
    215.303 Stencilling of restricted cars....        1,000        2,000

[[Page 184]]


    215.305 Stencilling of maintenance-of-way.        1,000        2,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ A penalty may be assessed against an individual only for a willful
  violation. Generally, when two or more violations of these regulations
  are discovered with respect to a single freight car that is placed or
  continued in service by a railroad, the appropriate penalties set
  forth above are aggregated up to a maximum of $10,000 per day.
  However, a failure to perform, with respect to a particular freight
  car, the predeparture inspection required by Sec.  215.13 of this part
  will be treated as a violation separate and distinct from, and in
  addition to, any substantive violative conditions found on the car.
  The Administrator reserves the right to assess a penalty of up to
  $22,000 for any violation where circumstances warrant. See 49 CFR part
  209, appendix A.
Failure to observe any condition for movement set forth in paragraphs
  (a) and (c) of Sec.  215.9 will deprive the railroad of the benefit of
  the movement-for-repair provision and make the railroad and any
  responsible individuals liable for penalty under the particular
  regulatory section(s) concerning the substantive defect(s) present on
  the freight car at the time of movement.
Maintenance-of-way equipment not stenciled in accordance with Sec.
  215.305 is subject to all requirements of this part. See Sec.
  215.3(c)(3).


[53 FR 52925, Dec. 29, 1988, as amended at 63 FR 11620, Mar. 10, 1998]

      Appendix C to Part 215--FRA Freight Car Standards Defect Code

    The following defect code has been established for use by FRA and 
State inspectors to report defects observed during inspection of freight 
cars. The purpose of the code is to establish a uniform language among 
FRA, States, and the railroad industry that will facilitate 
communication, recordkeeping, and statistical analyses. The code may not 
be substituted for the description of defects on bad order tags affixed 
to cars being moved for repair under Sec. 215.9. However, it may be used 
to supplement that description.

                                  Index

                                 General

215.009 Improper Movement of Defective Cars.
215.011 Designation of Qualified Persons.
215.013 Failure to Perform a Pre-departure Inspection.
215.015 Failure to Complete Initial Periodic Inspection as Required.

                         Freight Car Components

                            Suspension System

215.103 Defective Wheel.
215.105 Defective Axle.
215.107 Defective Plain Bearing Box: General.
215.109 Defective Plain Bearing Box: Journal Lubrication System.
215.111 Defective Plain Bearing.
215.113 Defective Plain Bearing Wedge.
215.115 Defective Roller Bearing.
215.117 Defective Roller Bearing Adapter.
215.119 Defective Freight Car Truck.

                               Car Bodies

215.121 Defective Car Body.

                              Draft System

215.123 Defective Couplers.
215.125 Defective Uncoupling Device.
215.127 Defective Draft Arrangement.
215.129 Defective Cushioning Device.

                          Restricted Equipment

215.203 Restricted Cars.

                               Stenciling

215.301 Improper Stenciling.
215.303 Improper Stenciling of Restricted Cars.
215.305 Improper Stenciling of Maintenance-of-Way Equipment.

                         Description of Defects

215.009 Failure to meet conditions for movement of defective cars for 
          repairs.
215.011 Designation of Qualified Persons.
    (A)(1) Railroad fails to designate persons qualified to inspect 
freight cars;
    (2) Persons designated does not have knowledge and ability to 
inspect freight cars for compliance with the requirements of this part.
    (B) Railroad fails to maintain written record of:
    (1) Each designation in effect;
    (2) The basis for this designation.
215.013 Failure to perform pre-departure inspection.
215.015 Periodic Inspection.
    (A) Railroad fails to perform the periodic inspection as required by 
June 30, 1980 on:
    (1) High utilization car built prior to December 31, 1977;
    (2) Non-high utilization car built prior to December 31, 1971;
    (B) A freight car improperly stenciled for periodic inspection.
215.103 Defective Wheel.
    (A)(1) Flanges \7/8\<gr-thn-eq> or less at \3/8\<gr-thn-eq> above 
the tread;
    (2) Flanges \13/16\<gr-thn-eq> or less at \3/8\<gr-thn-eq> above the 
tread;
    (3) Flanges \3/4\<gr-thn-eq> or less at \3/8\<gr-thn-eq> above the 
tread;
    (B)(1) Flange is 1\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> or more from the tread to top of 
flange;
    (2) Flange is 1\5/8\<gr-thn-eq> or more from the tread to top of 
flange;
    (3) Flange is 1\3/4\<gr-thn-eq>.
    (C)(1) Rim thickness is \11/16\<gr-thn-eq> or less;

[[Page 185]]

    (2) Rim thickness is \5/8\<gr-thn-eq> or less;
    (3) Rim thickness is \9/16\<gr-thn-eq> or less;
    (D) Wheel cracked or broken in: (1) rim, (2) flange, (3) plate or 
(4) hub area.
    (E) Wheel chip or gouge in flange:
    (1) 1\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> length and \1/2\<gr-thn-eq> in width or more;
    (2) 1\5/8\<gr-thn-eq> length and \5/8\<gr-thn-eq> in width or more;
    (3) 1\3/4\<gr-thn-eq> in length and \3/4\<gr-thn-eq> in width or 
more.
    (F) Wheel has slid flat spot or shelled spot:
    (1) 2\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> in length or more;
    (2) Has two adjoining flat spots each of which is 2<gr-thn-eq> in 
length or greater;
    (3) A single flat spot 3<gr-thn-eq> in length or more;
    (4) Has two adjoining flat spots one of which is at least 
2<gr-thn-eq> in length and the other is 2\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> or greater.
    (G) Has a loose wheel.
    (H) Overheated with discoloration extending: (1) More than 
4<gr-thn-eq>; (2) 4\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> or more.
    (I) A welded wheel on car that is not moving for repairs.
215.105 Defective Axle.
    (A) Cracked or broken:
    (1) Cracked 1' or less;
    (2) Cracked greater than 1<gr-thn-eq>;
    (3) Broken or cracked with visible separation of metal.
    (B) Gouge between wheel seats more than \1/8\<gr-thn-eq> in depth:
    (C) Broken or cracked end collar on plain bearing axle.
    (D) Overheated journal.
    (E) Surface of plain bearing journal or fillet has (1) ridge, (2) 
depression, (3) circumferential score, (4) corrugation, (5) scratch, (6) 
continuous streak, (7) pitting, (8) rust, (9) etching.
215.107 Defective plain bearing box.
    (A) (1) Does not contain visible free oil;
    (2) A journal box with dry pad.
    (B) Lid is missing, broken or open except to receive service.
    (C) Box has foreign matter that will damage bearing or prevent 
lubrication.
215.109 Defective plain bearing box: journal lubrication system.
    (A) Pad torn half the length or width.
    (B) Scorched, burned or glazed.
    (C) Contains decaying or deteriorated fabric.
    (D) Has exposed core except by design of metal parts in contact with 
journal.
    (E)(1) Missing;
    (2) Not in contact with journal.
215.111 Defective plain bearing.
    (A) Missing, cracked or broken.
    (B)(1) Bearing lining is loose;
    (2) Broken out piece.
    (C) Overheated as evidenced by:
    (1) Melted babbit;
    (2) Smoke from hot oil;
    (3) Journal surface damaged.
215.113 Defective plain bearing wedge.
    (A) Missing.
    (B) Cracked.
    (C) Broken.
    (D) Not located in design position.
215.115 Defective roller bearing.
    (A)(1) Overheated;
    (2) Loose or missing cap screw;
    (3) Roller bearing seal loose or damaged permitting loss of 
lubricant;
    (4) Two or more missing cap screws.
    (B)(1) Failure to inspect if involved in derailment;
    (2) Failure to disassemble if required under this part;
    (3) Failure to repair or replace defective roller bearings.
215.117 Defective roller bearing adapter.
    (A) Cracked or broken.
    (B) Not in design position.
    (C) Worn excessively as shown on Figure 1 in relief portion.
215.119 Defective freight car trucks.
    (A)(1) Side frame or bolster broken;
    (2) Cracked \1/4\<gr-thn-eq> or more in transverse direction on 
tension member;
    (3) Cracked 1<gr-thn-eq> or more in transverse direction on tension 
member.
    (B) Has ineffective snubbing devices.
    (C)(1) Missing or broken side bearing;
    (2) Side bearing in contact except by design;
    (3) Excessive side bearing clearance at one end of car;
    (4) Excessive side bearing clearance on opposite sides at diagonal 
ends of car.
    (D)(1) Has truck springs that will not maintain travel or load;
    (2) Truck springs that are compressed solid;
    (3) Has two springs broken in a cluster;
    (4) Has three or more springs broken.
    (E) Truck bolster and center plate interference preventing rotation.
    (F) Has broken beam shelf supports worn so that shelf will not 
support beam.
215.121 Defective car body.
    (A) Improper clearance--less than 2\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> from top of 
rail.
    (B) Center sill is:
    (1) Broken;
    (2) Cracked more than 6<gr-thn-eq>;
    (3) Bent or buckled more than 2\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> in any 6-foot 
length.
    (C) Coupler carrier is:
    (1) Broken;
    (2) Missing;
    (3) Non-resilient when used with coupler with F head.
    (D) Car door not equipped with operative safety hangers.
    (E) If center plate:
    (1) Any portion missing;
    (2) Broken or cracked as defined in this part.
    (F) Broken side sills, crossbars or body bolster.
215.123 Defective couplers.
    (A) Coupler shank bent.
    (B) Coupler cracked in highly stressed area of head and shank.
    (C) Coupler knuckle broken.

[[Page 186]]

    (D) Coupler knuckle pin or knuckle throw:
    (1) Missing;
    (2) Inoperative.
    (E) Coupler retainer pin lock:
    (1) Missing;
    (2) Broken.
    (F)(1) Coupler locklift is inoperative;
    (2) No anti-creep protection;
    (3) Coupler lock is (i) missing, (ii) inoperative, (iii) bent, (iv) 
cracked or (v) broken.
215.125 Defective uncoupling device.
    (A) Fouling on curve.
    (B) Unintentional uncoupling.
215.127 Defective draft arrangement.
    (A) Draft gear inoperative.
    (B) Broken yoke.
    (C) End of car cushioning unit:
    (1) Leaking;
    (2) Inoperative.
    (D) Vertical coupler pin retainer plate:
    (1) Missing;
    (2) Has missing fastener.
    (E) Draft key or key retainer:
    (1) Inoperative;
    (2) Missing.
    (F) Follower plate missing or broken.
215.129 Defective cushioning device unless effectively immobilized.
    (A) Broken.
    (B) Inoperative.
    (C) Missing parts.
215.203 Operating a restricted car, except under conditions approved by 
          FRA.

                               Stenciling

215.301 Failure to stencil car number and built date on freight car as 
          required.
215.303 Failure to stencil restricted car as required.
215.305 Failure to stencil maintenance-of-way equipment as required.

       Appendix D to Part 215--Pre-departure Inspection Procedure

    At each location where a freight car is placed in a train and a 
person designated under Sec. 215.11 is not on duty for the purpose of 
inspecting freight cars, the freight car shall, as a minimum, be 
inspected for the imminently hazardous conditions listed below that are 
likely to cause an accident or casualty before the train arrives at its 
destination. These conditions are readily discoverable by a train crew 
member in the course of a customary inspection.
    1. Car body:
    (a) Leaning or listing to side.
    (b) Sagging downward.
    (c) Positioned improperly on truck.
    (d) Object dragging below.
    (e) Object extending from side.
    (f) Door insecurely attached.
    (g) Broken or missing safety appliance.
    (h) Lading leaking from a placarded hazardous material car.
    2. Insecure coupling.
    3. Overheated wheel or journal.
    4. Broken or extensively cracked wheel.
    5. Brake that fails to release.
    6. Any other apparent safety hazard likely to cause an accident or 
casualty before the train arrives at its destination.

[45 FR 26711, Apr. 21, 1980]




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