Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 18, September 16, 2024
PURPOSE: This amendment moves the rule from Title 4
to Title 7, removes all references to mail cranes because these are no longer
used in the rail industry, updates the division name, incorporates rules found
in the National Electrical Safety Code, and eliminates unnecessary restrictive
wording.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The secretary of state has
determined that the publication of the entire text of the material which is
incorporated by reference as a portion of this rule would be unduly cumbersome
or expensive. This material as incorporated by reference in this rule shall be
maintained by the agency at its headquarters and shall be made available to the
public for inspection and copying at no more than the actual cost of
reproduction. This note applies only to the reference material. The entire text
of the rule is printed here.
(1) Effective March 15, 1951 no railway or
railroad corporation, county, municipality, township or other corporation,
firm, or person shall erect or cause to be erected any passenger or freight
station platforms, or any permanent structure over or contiguous to any
railroad track(s), switch, or siding, such as shop buildings, coal bins,
manufacturing or industrial buildings, or any other structure whatsoever, so
that the vertical and horizontal clearances are less than the prescribed
minimum contained in this rule, unless permission is received from the division
for variance.
(2) Bridges,
viaducts, tunnels, overhead roadways, footbridges or other structures hereafter
built over the track(s) of a railroad(s) by a county, municipality, township,
railroad company or other corporation, firm or person shall be not less than
twenty-two feet (22') in the clear from the top of the rails of the track(s) to
the bottom of the lowest sill, girder or crossbeam or other structure and the
lowest downward projection of the bridges, viaduct, tunnel, overhead roadway or
footbridge. No through truss bridge shall be constructed in any track, nor
shall any bridge or other structure be constructed, across or adjacent to any
track having a vertical clearance less than twenty-two feet (22') above the top
of rail for a lateral distance of four feet (4') from the center line of track.
From a point of four feet (4') horizontally distant from the center line of
track and twenty-two feet (22') above the top of rail, the clearance lines may
extend downward at an angle to points which are eight feet (8') distant on each
side of the center line of track and sixteen feet (16') above the top of
rail.
(3) The following horizontal
clearance applies to all steam and diesel railroads:
(A) No bridge shall be constructed having a
horizontal clearance of less than eight feet (8') from the center line of track
at a point four feet (4') vertically distant from the top of rail. From a point
eight feet (8') horizontally distant from the center line of track and four
feet (4') vertically distant from the top of rail, the clearance lines may
extend at an angle to a point five feet (5') horizontally distant from the
center line of track at the level of the top of rail;
(B) Except as provided in this rule, no track
may be constructed adjacent to any building or structure nor shall any signal
post, switch stand, building, or any other structure be constructed adjacent to
any track which has a horizontal clearance of less than eight feet six inches
(8'6") from the center of track, measured at right angles, it being understood
that the horizontal clearance of eight feet six inches (8'6") shall be
maintained to a point sixteen feet (16') above the level of the top of rail,
provided that the clearance line for structures other than buildings,
retainers, guards, and low platforms may extend from a point four feet (4')
above the top of rail, downward at an angle to a point five feet six inches
(5'6") distant from the center line of track at a point which is level with the
top of rail;
(C) Engine terminal
and shop structures such as engine houses, engine and car repair shops, cinder
conveyors, and turntables may be constructed with horizontal clearances of not
less than six feet (6') from the center of terminal or shop tracks adjoining or
entering them, provided that in every such case warning signs are erected at a
suitable location at each end of the structures calling the trainmen's
attention to insufficient clearance. The clearance requirements of this rule do
not apply to working platforms and working structures inside of engine houses
and repair shops;
(D) Platforms for
loading and unloading of freight, including livestock, the tops of which are
approximately level with the floor of freight cars, may be constructed adjacent
to one side only of freight tracks which are not in open thoroughfare, at a
distance less than eight feet six inches (8'6") from the center of track, but
not less than five feet (5'9") nine inches from the center. In every such case,
warning signs shall be erected at a suitable location at each end of the
platform, directing the trainmen's attention to insufficient clearance and
prohibiting them from riding on the sides of cars while in motion;
(E) Passenger loading platforms, the tops of
which are level with the platforms of passenger cars, may be constructed next
to tracks which are given up wholly to passenger service at a distance less
than eight feet six inches (8'6") from the center line of tracks, provided the
passenger coaches are equipped with platform gates and kept closed while the
train is in motion. Passenger loading platforms which do not exceed a height of
four inches (4") above the top of rail may be constructed a distance of not
less than four feet six inches (4"6") from the center line of track and
platforms which do not exceed a height of eight inches (8") above the top of
rail may be constructed a distance not less than five feet one inch (5'1") from
the center line of track;
(F) Loose
materials, such as coal, sand, scrap iron, and the like, may not be stored or
piled adjacent to a railroad track with a horizontal clearance at any point
less than eight feet six inches (8'6") from the center of track, measured at
right angle to, except as provided in this rule. A guard or retainer to hold
the loose materials may be constructed with a horizontal clearance of not less
than eight feet six inches (8'6") from the center line of track, measured at a
right angle to the center. The horizontal clearance of eight feet six inches
(8'6") shall be maintained to a retainer or guard height of sixteen feet (16')
above the level of the top of rail. Along a freight track not in open
thoroughfare, a retainer or guard, the top of which is approximately level with
the floor of freight cars, may be constructed adjacent to but one (1) side of
the track with a horizontal clearance of less than eight feet six inches (8'6")
but not less than five feet nine inches (5'9") to the center line of track,
measured at a right angle to the center, provided that in every such case
warning signs shall be erected at a suitable location at each end of the
retainer or guard directing the trainmen's attention to the insufficient
clearance and prohibiting trainmen from riding the sides of cars while in
motion. No individual, partnership, association, or corporation may store or
pile loose material adjacent to a railroad track unless a retainer or guard
with the clearances prescribed is erected, or unless, immediately after the
piling of this material all such material not providing a clearance of eight
feet six inches (8'6") to the center line of adjacent railroad tracks is
removed. Retainers or guards constructed to hold the loose materials shall not
have a horizontal clearance less than the prescribed minimum in this
subsection, unless permission has been received from the division to vary. This
subsection does not apply to individuals, partnerships, corporations, trustees,
or receivers owning or operating a railroad while engaged in the construction,
maintenance, or repair of a railroad track or other structure;
(G) No railroad track unless specifically
authorized by the division, shall be constructed after July 1, 1985 so that the
center line of track is less than fourteen feet (14') from the center line of
an adjacent track and no ladder track shall be constructed so that the center
line of the ladder track is less than nineteen feet (19') from the center line
of an adjacent ladder track or less than seventeen feet (17') from the center
line of any other track. Any system of three (3) or more tracks at freight
houses, warehouses, wharves, or similar structures, used exclusively for
handling freight to or from platforms located on one (1) or both sides, may
have track center distances of thirteen feet (13'), provided that at least two
(2) tracks in one such system shall have centers not less than thirteen feet
six inches (13'6") provided that no track having track center distances of less
than fourteen feet (14') shall be used as a thoroughfare track. The distance
between tracks may be diminished to the extent necessary for the construction
of crossings, crossovers, gauntlet tracks, turnouts, switches, or radial
tracks. The provisions requiring fourteen feet (14') distances between track
centers do not apply to the construction of tracks under viaducts or other
overpasses which originally were designed to accommodate an additional track(s)
at distances of less than fourteen feet (14') between track centers, if under
that design the additional track(s) cannot be constructed with a distance
between track centers of fourteen feet (14'). Permission to construct tracks
with less clearance may be granted by the division if, after a thorough
investigation in any particular case, it is determined that the construction
would not create a condition unduly hazardous to railroad employees or other
persons;
(H) At locations where low
switch stands and dwarf signals are placed between tracks having track center
distances of fourteen feet (14') or less, the horizontal clearance rule
contained in subsection (2)(A) applies; and
(I) The horizontal clearances specified do
not apply to automatic train stop wayside inductors provided the inductor does
not extend more than three inches (3") above the level of the top of rail and
is not less than four feet two inches (4'2") from the center of track.
(4) The following
horizontal clearances apply to all electric and street railroads:
(A) Except as provided in this rule, no track
shall be constructed adjacent to any building or structure, nor shall any
signal post, switch stand, building or other structure be constructed adjacent
to any track which has a horizontal clearance of less than seven feet six
inches (7'6") from the center of track measured at right angles to the center,
it being understood that the horizontal clearance of seven feet six inches
(7'6") shall be maintained, in respect to buildings, to a point on the vertical
clearance line, as previously established. The clearance line for structures
other than buildings and low platforms may extend from a point two feet eight
inches (2'8") above the level of the top of rail, downward at an angle to a
point five feet six inches (5'6") distant from the center line of track at a
point level with the top of rail;
(B) Platforms for loading and unloading of
freight and express matter into or from cars of the passenger or express type,
the tops of which are approximately level with the floors of the cars may be
constructed adjacent to only one (1) side of a track which is not in open
thoroughfare at a distance less than seven feet six inches (7'6") from the
center of track. When these platforms are constructed with a clearance less
than seven feet six inches (7'6"), the horizontal clearances shall not be less
than four feet nine inches (4'9"), provided that in every such case warning
signs are erected at a suitable location at each end of the platform, calling
trainmen's attention to insufficient clearance and prohibiting them from riding
on the sides of cars while in motion;
(C) Passenger loading platforms, the tops of
which are level with the platforms of passenger cars, may be constructed
adjacent to tracks at a distance less than seven feet six inches (7'6") from
the center line of the tracks provided the passenger coaches are equipped with
platform gates and kept closed while the train is in motion. Passenger loading
platforms which do not exceed a height of four inches (4") above the top of
rail may be constructed at a distance of not less than four feet six inches
(4'6") from the center line of track; and platforms which do not exceed height
of eight inches (8") above the top of rail, may be constructed a distance of
not less than five feet one inch (5'1") from the center line of
track;
(D) Canopies at passenger
stations and terminals may be erected, the edges of which have a clearance less
than seven feet six inches (7'6") from the center of track, provided the lowest
projection of the canopy is not less than eleven feet four inches (11'4") above
the top of rail;
(E) Third rail
conductors placed preferably between tracks where there is more than one (1)
track shall be maintained at a distance which does not exceed one foot eight
and one-half inches (1' 8 1/2") measured from gauge of main track to the center
of the third rail conductor. The height of the conductor shall not exceed six
and one-half inches (6 1/2") above the top of rail;
(F) In case of roads
using passenger cars greater or less than nine feet (9') in width, a
corresponding change in the specified horizontal clearances shall be used, it
being understood that points five feet six inches (5'6") distant from the
center of track and level with the top of rail are fixed;
(G)
In city streets where the clearances between main tracks are such that the
distance between the sides of passing cars is less than three feet (3'), the
windows of all cars shall be equipped with bars, screens, or other suitable
protective devices and all vestibule doors kept closed when cars are in motion;
and
(H) In case of roads using cars greater or less than
nine feet (9') in width, a corresponding change shall be made in the horizontal
clearance specified in this rule, provided that the specified clearance of
three feet (3') between cars is not varied.
(5) In all cases, the horizontal clearance
that is specified relates to tracks on tangents or on slight curves. Where the
curvature is six degrees (6°) or more, the horizontal clearance must be
sufficiently increased to secure the minimum allowance provided for under this
rule. Unless the type of equipment to be operated on a track would indicate
otherwise, horizontal clearances for structures should be increased three
inches (3") for a curvature of six degrees (6°) and should be increased an
additional one-half inch (1/2") for each additional degree of curve; and track
centers should be increased four and one-half inches (4 1/2") for a curvature
of six degrees (6°) and should be increased an additional three-fourths
inch (3/4") for each additional degree of curve. All horizontal clearances
should be measured along lines parallel to the plane formed by the top of the
rails and from a center line perpendicular to that plane, in order to take into
consideration the effect of any rail super-elevation.
(6) All wire, cable conductors, trolley
wires, guards, guys, and other apparatus or fixtures used in connection when
located upon, along, or across the property, or right-of-way of any railroad or
railway system shall be constructed in conformance with the rules contained in
the National Electrical Safety Code (2012 Edition), incorporated herein by
reference and made a part of this rule as published by the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ
08854-4141. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or
additions of this code.
