Position in Train of Placarded Cars Transporting Hazardous Materials
RESTRICTIONS | Placard Group 1 | Placard Group 2 | Placard Group 3 | Placard Group 4 | ||
Rail Car | Tank Car | Rail Car | Tank Car | Rail Car | Rail Car | |
1. When train length permits, placarded car may not be nearer than the sixth car from the engine or occupied caboose | X | X | X | |||
2. When train length does not permit, placarded car must be placed near the middle of the train, but not nearer than the second car from an engine or occupied caboose | X | X | X | |||
3. A placarded car may not be placed next to an open-top car when any of the lading in the open top car protrudes beyond the car ends, or if the lading shifted, would protrude beyond the car ends. | X | X | X | |||
4. A placarded car may not be placed next to a loaded flat car, except closed TOFC/COFC equipment, auto carriers, and other specially equipped cars with tie-down devices for securing vehicles. Permanent bulk head flat cars are considered the same as open-top cars | X | X | X | |||
5. A placarded car may not be placed next to any transport vehicle or freight container having an internal combustion engine or an open-flame device in operation. | X | X | X | |||
6. Placarded cars may not be placed next to each other based on the following: | ||||||
Placard Group 1 | X | X | X | X | X | |
Placard Group 2 | X | X | X | X | ||
Placard Group 3 | X | X | X | X | ||
Placard Group 4 | X | X | X | X | X |
PLACARD GROUP:
Group 1-Divisions 1.1 and 1.2 (explosive) materials.
Group 2-Divisions 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 (explosive), Class 2 (compressed gas; other than Div 2.3, PG I, Zone A), Class 3 (flammable liquid), Class 4 (flammable solid), Class 5 (oxidizing), Class 6 (poisonous liquid; other than Div 6.1, PG I, Zone A), and Class 8 (corrosive) materials.
Group 3-Divisions 2.3 (Zone A; poisonous gas) and 6.1 (PG I, Zone A; poisonous liquid) materials.
Group 4-Class 7 (radioactive) materials.
49 C.F.R. §174.85