§ 229.5 - Definitions.

§ 229.5 Definitions.

Cross Reference

Link to an amendment published at 88 FR 70761, Oct. 12, 2023.

As used in this part—

AAR means the Association of American Railroads.

Acceptable quality level (AQL). The AQL is expressed in terms of percent defective or defects per 100 units. Lots having a quality level equal to a specified AQL will be accepted approximately 95 percent of the time when using the sampling plans prescribed for that AQL.

Alerter means a device or system installed in the locomotive cab to promote continuous, active locomotive engineer attentiveness by monitoring select locomotive engineer-induced control activities. If fluctuation of a monitored locomotive engineer-induced control activity is not detected within a predetermined time, a sequence of audible and visual alarms is activated so as to progressively prompt a response by the locomotive engineer. Failure by the locomotive engineer to institute a change of state in a monitored control, or acknowledge the alerter alarm activity through a manual reset provision, results in a penalty brake application that brings the locomotive or train to a stop.

Anti-climbers means the parts at the ends of adjoining rail vehicles in a train that are designed to engage when subjected to large buff loads to prevent the override of one vehicle by another.

Assignment address means a unique identifier of the RCL that insures that only the OCU's linked to a specific RCL can command that RCL.

Associate Administrator for Safety means the Associate Administrator for Safety, Federal Railroad Administration, or that person's delegate as designated in writing.

Break means a fracture resulting in complete separation into parts.

Build date means the date on which the completed locomotive is shipped by the manufacturer or remanufacturer to the customer, or if the railroad manufactures or remanufactures the locomotive itself, the date on which the locomotive is released from the manufacture or remanufacture facility.

Cab means that portion of the superstructure designed to be occupied by the crew operating the locomotive.

Carrier means railroad, as that term is in this section.

Collision posts means structural members of the end structures of a rail vehicle that extend vertically from the underframe to which they are securely attached and that provide protection to occupied compartments from an object penetrating the vehicle during a collision.

Controlling locomotive means a locomotive from where the operator controls the traction and braking functions of the locomotive or locomotive consist, normally the lead locomotive.

Corner posts means structural members located at the intersection of the front or rear surface with the side surface of a rail vehicle and which extend vertically from the underframe to the roof.

Commuter service means the type of railroad service described under the heading “Commuter Operations” in 49 CFR part 209, Appendix A.

Commuter work train is a non-revenue service train used in the administration and upkeep service of a commuter railroad.

Control cab locomotive means a locomotive without propelling motors but with one or more control stands.

Controlling remote distributed power locomotive means the locomotive in a distributed power consist that receives the coded signal from the lead locomotive consist of the train whether commanded automatically by the distributed power system or manually by the locomotive engineer.

Crack means a fracture 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.

Cruise control means a device that controls locomotive power output to obtain a targeted speed. A device that functions only at or below 30 miles per hour is NOT considered a “cruise control” for purposes of this part.

Data element means one or more data point or value reflecting on-board train operations at a particular time. Data may be actual or “passed through” values or may be derived from a combination of values from other sources.

dB(A) means the sound pressure level in decibels measured on the A-weighted scale.

Dead locomotive means—

(1) A locomotive, other than a control cab locomotive, that does not have any traction device supplying tractive power; or

(2) A control cab locomotive that has a locked and unoccupied cab.

Decibel (dB) means a unit of measurement of sound pressure levels.

Defective means, for purposes of section 229.129 of this part, a locomotive equipped with an audible warning device that produces a maximum sound level in excess of 110 dB(A) and/or a minimum sound level below 96 dB(A), as measured 100 feet forward of the locomotive in the direction of travel.

Designated service means exclusive operation of a locomotive under the following conditions:

(1) The locomotive is not used as an independent unit or the controlling unit in a consist of locomotives except when moving for the purposes of servicing or repair within a single yard area;

(2) The locomotive is not occupied by operating or deadhead crews outside a single yard area; and

(3) The locomotive is stenciled “Designated Service—DO NOT OCCUPY.”

Design standard means a criterion adopted by an industry or voluntary consensus standards body, which addresses the design of a locomotive with respect to its crashworthiness and crashworthiness features.

Distributed power system means a system that provides control of a number of locomotives dispersed throughout a train from a controlling locomotive located in the lead position. The system provides control of the rearward locomotives by command signals originating at the lead locomotive and transmitted to the remote (rearward) locomotives.

DMU locomotive means a diesel-powered multiple unit operated locomotive with one or more propelling motors designed to carry passenger traffic.

Excessive noise report means a report by a locomotive cab occupant that the locomotive is producing an unusual level of noise that significantly interferes with normal cab communications or that is a concern with respect to hearing conservation.

Electronic air brake means a brake system controlled by a computer which provides the means for control of the locomotive brakes or train brakes or both.

Event recorder

means a device, designed to resist tampering, that monitors and records data, as detailed in §

memory module means that portion of an event recorder used to retain the recorded data as described in §§ 229.135(b)

, over the most recent 48 hours of operation of the electrical system of the locomotive on which the device is installed. However, a device, designed to resist tampering, that monitors and records the specified data only when the locomotive is in motion meets this definition if the device was installed prior to November 5, 1993 and if it records the specified data for the last eight hours the locomotive was in motion

and 229.136(a) through (c).

Event recorder memory module means that portion of the event recorder used to retain the recorded data as detailed in § 229.135(b).

FRA means the Federal Railroad Administration.

Fuel tank, external means a fuel containment vessel that extends outside the car body structure of a locomotive.

Fuel tank, internal means a fuel containment vessel that does not extend outside the car body structure of a locomotive.

High voltage means an electrical potential of more than 150 volts.

Image recording system means a system of cameras or other electronic devices that record images as described in § 229.136, and any components that convert those images into electronic data transmitted to, and stored on, a memory module.

Initial terminal means a location where a train is originally assembled.

In-service event recorder means an event recorder that was successfully tested as prescribed in § 229.27(d) and whose subsequent failure to operate as intended, if any, is not actually known by the railroad operating the locomotive on which it is installed.

Lateral means the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Lead locomotive means the first locomotive proceeding in the direction of movement.

Lite locomotive means a locomotive or a consist of locomotives not attached to any piece of equipment or attached only to a caboose.

Locomotive means a piece of on-track equipment other than hi-rail, specialized maintenance, or other similar equipment—

(1) With one or more propelling motors designed for moving other equipment;

(2) With one or more propelling motors designed to carry freight or passenger traffic or both; or

(3) Without propelling motors but with one or more control stands.

Locomotive cab means the compartment or space on board a locomotive where the control stand is located and which is normally occupied by the engineer when the locomotive is operated.

Locomotive Control Unit (LCU) means a system onboard an RCL that communicates via a radio link which receives, processes, and confirms commands from the OCU, which directs the locomotive to execute them.

Longitudinal means in a direction parallel to the normal direction of travel.

Lot means a collection of locomotives, equipped with the same horn model, configuration, and location, and the same air pressure and delivery system, which has been manufactured or processed under essentially the same conditions.

Mandatory directive means any movement authority or speed restriction that affects a railroad operation.

Manufacture means the act of constructing a locomotive.

Modesty lock means a latch that can be operated in the normal manner only from within the sanitary compartment, that is designed to prevent entry of another person when the sanitary compartment is in use. A modesty lock may be designed to allow deliberate forced entry in the event of an emergency.

Monocoque design locomotive means a locomotive design where the shell or skin acts as a single unit with the supporting frame to resist and transmit the loads acting on the locomotive.

MU locomotive means a multiple unit operated electric locomotive—

(1) With one or more propelling motors designed to carry freight or passenger traffic or both; or

(2) Without propelling motors but with one or more control stands and a means of picking-up primary power such as a pantograph or third rail.

Narrow-nose locomotive means a locomotive with a short hood that spans substantially less than the full width of the locomotive.

Occupied service means the operation of a locomotive when the cab is physically occupied by a person.

Operator Control Unit (OCU) means a mobile unit that communicates via a radio link the commands for movement (direction, speed, braking) or for operations (bell, horn, sand) to an RCL.

Other short-haul passenger service means the type of railroad service described under the heading “Other short-haul passenger service” in 49 CFR part 209, appendix A.

Permanent deformation means the undergoing of a permanent change in shape of a structural member of a rail vehicle.

Potable water means water that meets the requirements of 40 CFR part 141, the Environmental Protection Agency's Primary Drinking Water Regulations, or water that has been approved for drinking and washing purposes by the pertinent state or local authority having jurisdiction. For purposes of this part, commercially available, bottled drinking water is deemed potable water.

Powered axle is an axle equipped with a traction device.

Power car means a rail vehicle that propels a Tier II passenger train or is the lead vehicle in a Tier II passenger train, or both.

Qualified mechanical inspector means a person who has received instruction and training that includes “hands-on” experience (under appropriate supervision or apprenticeship) in one or more of the following functions: troubleshooting, inspection, testing, maintenance or repair of the specific locomotive equipment for which the person is assigned responsibility. This person shall also possess a current understanding of what is required to properly repair and maintain the locomotive equipment for which the person is assigned responsibility. Further, the qualified mechanical inspector shall be a person whose primary responsibility includes work generally consistent with the functions listed in this definition.

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.

Recording device means a device that records images or audible sounds, as described in § 229.136.

Remanufacture means the act of constructing a remanufactured locomotive.

Remanufactured locomotive means a locomotive rebuilt or refurbished from a previously used or refurbished underframe (“deck”), containing fewer than 25% previously used components (measured by dollar value of the components). For calculation purposes, the percentage of previously used components is determined with equivalent value of new parts and is calculated using dollar values from the same year as the new parts used to remanufacture the locomotive.

Remote Control Locomotive (RCL) means a remote control locomotive that, through use of a radio link can be operated by a person not physically within the confines of the locomotive cab. For purposes of this part, the term RCL does not refer to a locomotive or group of locomotives remotely controlled from the lead locomotive of a train, as in a distributed power arrangement.

Remote Control Operator (RCO) means a person who utilizes an OCU in connection with operations involving a RCL with or without cars.

Remote Control Pullback Protection means a function of a RCL that enforces speeds and stops in the direction of pulling movement.

Roof rail means the longitudinal structural member at the intersection of the side wall and the roof sheathing.

Sand delivery system means a permanently stationed or fixed device designed to deliver sand to locomotive sand boxes that do not require the sand to be manually delivered or loaded. A sand delivery system will be considered permanently stationed if it is at a location at least five days a week for at least eight hours per day.

Sanitary means lacking any condition in which any significant amount of filth, trash, or human waste is present in such a manner that a reasonable person would believe that the condition might constitute a health hazard; or of strong, persistent, chemical or human waste odors sufficient to deter use of the facility, or give rise to a reasonable concern with respect to exposure to hazardous fumes. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, a toilet bowl filled with human waste, soiled toilet paper, or other products used in the toilet compartment, that are present due to a defective toilet facility that will not flush or otherwise remove waste; visible human waste residue on the floor or toilet seat that is present due to a toilet that overflowed; an accumulation of soiled paper towels or soiled toilet paper on the floor, toilet facility, or sink; an accumulation of visible dirt or human waste on the floor, toilet facility, or sink; and strong, persistent chemical or human waste odors in the compartment.

Sanitation compartment means an enclosed compartment on a railroad locomotive that contains a toilet facility for employee use.

Self-monitoring event recorder means an event recorder that has the ability to monitor its own operation and to display an indication to the locomotive operator when any data required to be stored are not stored or when the stored data do not match the data received from sensors or data collection points.

Semi-monocoque design locomotive means a locomotive design where the skin or shell acts, to some extent, as a single unit with the supporting frame to resist and transmit the loads acting on the locomotive.

Semi-permanently coupled means coupled by means of a drawbar or other coupling mechanism that requires tools to perform the uncoupling operation.

Serious injury means an injury that results in the amputation of any appendage, the loss of sight in an eye, the fracture of a bone, or confinement in a hospital for a period of more than 24 consecutive hours.

Short hood means the part of the locomotive above the underframe located between the cab and the nearest end of the locomotive.

Standards body means an industry and/or professional organization or association which conducts research and develops and/or issues policies, criteria, principles, and standards related to the rail industry.

Switching service means the classification of railroad freight and passenger cars according to commodity or destination; assembling cars for train movements; changing the position of cars for purposes of loading, unloading, or weighing; placing locomotives and cars for repair or storage; or moving rail equipment in connection with work service that does not constitute a train movement.

Throttle position means any and all of the discrete output positions indicating the speed/tractive effort characteristic requested by the operator of the locomotive on which the throttle is installed. Together, the discrete output positions shall cover the entire range of possible speed/tractive effort characteristics. If the throttle has continuously variable segments, the event recorder shall capture either:

(1) The exact level of speed/tractive effort characteristic requested, on a scale of zero (0) to one hundred percent (100%) of the output variable or

(2) A value converted from a percentage to a comparable 0 to 8 digital signal.

Tier II means operating at speeds exceeding 125 mph but not exceeding 160 mph.

Time means either “time-of-day” or “elapsed time” (from an arbitrarily determined event) as determined by the manufacturer. In either case, the recorder must be able to convert to an accurate time-of-day with the time zone stated unless it is Greenwich mean time (UTC).

Toilet facility means a system that automatically or on command of the user removes human waste to a place where it is treated, eliminated, or retained such that no solid or non-treated liquid waste is thereafter permitted to be released into the bowl, urinal, or room and that prevents harmful discharges of gases or persistent offensive odors.

Transfer service means a freight train that travels between a point of origin and a point of final destination not exceeding 20 miles and that is not performing switching service.

Ultimate strength means the load at which a structural member fractures or ceases to resist any load.

Unsanitary means having any condition in which any significant amount of filth, trash, or human waste is present in such a manner that a reasonable person would believe that the condition might constitute a health hazard; or strong, persistent, chemical or human waste odors sufficient to deter use of the facility, or give rise to a reasonable concern with respect to exposure to hazardous fumes. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, a toilet bowl filled with human waste, soiled toilet paper, or other products used in the toilet compartment, that are present due to a defective toilet facility that will not flush or otherwise remove waste; visible human waste residue on the floor or toilet seat that is present due to a toilet that overflowed; an accumulation of soiled paper towels or soiled toilet paper on the floor, toilet facility, or sink; an accumulation of visible dirt or human waste on the floor, toilet facility, or sink; and strong, persistent chemical or human waste odors in the compartment.

Upper 99% confidence limit means the noise level below which 99% of all noise level measurements must lie.

Washing system means a system for use by railroad employees to maintain personal cleanliness that includes a secured sink or basin, water, antibacterial soap, and paper towels; or antibacterial waterless soap and paper towels; or antibacterial moist towelettes and paper towels; or any other combination of suitable antibacterial cleansing agents.

Wide-nose locomotive means a locomotive with a short hood that spans the full width of the locomotive.

[70 FR 37938, June 30, 2005, as amended at 71 FR 36911, June 28, 2006; 71 FR 47666, Aug. 17, 2006; 71 FR 61857, Oct. 19, 2006; 71 FR 63136, Oct. 27, 2006; 72 FR 59223, Oct. 19, 2007; 77 FR 21342, Apr. 9, 2012; 83 FR 59217, Nov. 21, 2018; 88 FR 70761, Oct. 12, 2023]