49 C.F.R. § 236.410 Locking, hand-operated switch; requirements.
Title 49 - Transportation
(a) Each hand-operated switch in main track shall be locked either electrically or mechanically in normal position, except: (1) Where train speeds over the switch do not exceed 20 miles per hour; (2) Where trains are not permitted to clear the main track; (3) Where a signal is provided to govern train movements from the auxiliary track to the signaled track; or (4) On a signaled siding without intermediate signals where the maximum authorized speed on the siding does not exceed 30 miles per hour. (b) Approach or time locking shall be provided and locking may be released either automatically, or by the control operator, but only after the control circuits of signals governing movement in either direction over the switch and which display aspects with indications more favorable than “proceed at restricted speed” have been opened directly or by shunting of track circuit. Note: Each carrier subject to this rule is hereby authorized to remove electrical or mechanical locks now installed within the purview of §236.410 when either exception (1) or (2) of the present rule is satisfied, subject to the condition that the following procedures and actions be accomplished: 1. Each carrier intending to remove a lock under the findings made herein and based on the existence of one or more of the circumstances as set forth in exception (1) or (2) as contained in the revised section, shall: (a) Notify the FRA by letter setting forth the location of the lock involved and the specific exception on which removal is based. (b) Include in the letter to the FRA an assurance that the excepting circumstance relied upon will not be changed without either reinstallation of the electric or mechanical lock, or approval by the FRA of the changed circumstances. (c) Publish in its Time Table the not-to-exceed 20 miles per hour speed limit covering the area of the switch, when that is the exception relied upon; or, where exception (2) is relied upon, publish either in the Special Instructions part of its Time Table or in separate printed Special Instructions the location of each hand-operated switch where electric or mechanical lock is removed and, where train movements are made in excess of twenty (20) miles per hour, concurrently issuing specific instructions, by stating therein, that trains are not to be permitted to clear the main track at such switch. 2. Following the foregoing, and upon acknowledgment of the letter to the FRA, such acknowledgment to be made promptly as an administrative action by the FRA's Bureau of Railroad Safety, and such acknowledging letter to be retained by the carrier as authority for the removal and as a record of the exception on which relied, the lock may then be removed. (c) Where a signal is used in lieu of electric or mechanical lock to govern movements from auxiliary track to signaled track, the signal shall not display an aspect to proceed until after the control circuits of signals governing movement on main track in either direction over the switch have been opened, and either the approach locking circuits to the switch are unoccupied or a predetermined time interval has expired. Note: Railroads shall bring all hand-operated switches that are not electrically or mechanically locked and that do not conform to the requirements of this section on the effective date of this part into conformity with this section in accordance with the following schedule: Not less than 33% during calendar year 1984. Not less than 66% during calendar year 1985. The remainder during calendar year 1986. [33 FR 19684, Dec. 25, 1968, as amended at 49 FR 3386, Jan. 26, 1984]
Title 49: Transportation
PART 236—RULES, STANDARDS, AND INSTRUCTIONS GOVERNING THE INSTALLATION, INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR OF SIGNAL AND TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND APPLIANCES
Subpart D—Traffic Control Systems
Standards
§ 236.410 Locking, hand-operated switch; requirements.
