Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 50, December 14, 2024
Section 25.11 - Rolling stock equipment(a)All cars. Wherever practicable, all cars shall be promoted with either automatic or link and pin couplers, and automatic couplers should be employed in new installations. Cars shall be in proper and safe condition, and all cases of defective couplers, brakes, steps, handholds, lamps and other parts shall be reported by the person in charge of the crew to the proper authority without unreasonable delay.(b)Coupler adjustment and coupling. The development and use of devices or methods for safety adjusting couplers or performing couplings automatically is strongly recommended.(c)Special cars. Special cars for skelp steel and the like should be provided with suitable side stakes or end stakes, or be otherwise suitably equipped. Special cradle cars should be used to handle hot crop ends and the like.(d)Locomotives. Locomotives or motor cars shall be in proper and safe condition and be supplied with necessary working tools, supplies and a full set of signals necessary for proper operation. The absence of any of these items shall be reported by some designated person to the proper authority without unreasonable delay.(e)Switching locomotives. It is recommended that all switching locomotives be equipped at both ends with platforms above the couplers, together with hand rails and steps.(f)Locomotive boiler inspection. Locomotive boilers, not subject to inspection under the Federal laws, and their appurtenances shall be thoroughly inspected annually, internally and externally, and under operating conditions, and may not be operated at pressures in excess of the safe working pressure stated in the certificate of inspection. These inspections shall be made by inspectors who have qualified before the examining board of the Department.