17-229-501 Me. Code R. § 03

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 229-501-03 - OVERHEAD CLEARANCES

A. The minimum overhead clearance above railroad and street railroad tracks, which are used or proposed to be used for transporting freight cars shall be twenty two (22) feet, except as hereinafter prescribed. Structures constructed prior to the effective date of this order may be maintained at such clearances as they were originally designed. Additional tracks may be constructed and existing tracks may be reconstructed thereunder at the same clearance.

B. The overhead clearance above the top of the rails of such tracks located inside of buildings may be reduced to seventeen (17) feet, provided that when an overhead clearance of less than twenty-two (22) feet exists on tracks inside such building, all cars, trains, motors, engines or other equipment shall be brought to a full stop before entering such buildings.

C. Unless otherwise provided herein, overhead clearances authorized in this section are applicable only to tracks on which freight cars having a height not exceeding fifteen (15) feet six (6) inches are transported. Freight cars of a height exceeding fifteen (15) feet six (6) inches shall be permanently marked, stenciled, or placarded as hereinafter required, and such markings maintained in a legible condition reading as follows:

"This Car

Excess Height"

-MAINE-

The markings required in this subsection shall be made permanent on owned cars as soon as practicable with a 3/4 inch stripe outlining an area not less than seven (7) inches by ten (10) inches, such stripes are lettering to be of a color contrasting with the car body color. All such required markings and placarding shall be placed on the side adjacent to the ladder near the floor line of the car.

D. Clearance provided for in paragraph .03(A) in this section shall not apply to overhead wires and cables. Clearances required for communication and electrical supply lines are established in Public Utilities Order U.981 as Amended May 23, 1949, which in effect adopted the Fifth Edition of the "National Electric Safety Code," as prepared and published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Standards.

17-229 C.M.R. ch. 501, § 03