[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 4]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR236.51]



[Page 592-593]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 

                             TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 236_RULES, STANDARDS, AND INSTRUCTIONS GOVERNING THE INSTALLATION, 

INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR OF SIGNAL AND TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEMS, 

DEVICES, AND APPLIANCES--Table of Contents

 

              Subpart A_Rules and Instructions: All Systems

 

Sec. 236.51  Track circuit requirements.



    Track relay controlling home signals shall be in deenergized 

position, or device that functions as a track relay controlling home 

signals shall be in its most restrictive state, and the track circuit of 

an automatic train stop, train control, or cab signal system shall be 

deenergized in the rear of the point where any of the following 

conditions exist:

    (a) When a rail is broken or a rail or switch-frog is removed except 

when a rail is broken or removed in the shunt fouling circuit of a 

turnout or crossover, provided, however, that shunt fouling circuit may 

not be used in a turnout through which permissible speed is greater than 

45 miles per hour. It shall not be a violation of this requirement if a 

track circuit is energized:

    (1) When a break occurs between the end of rail and track circuit 

connector; within the limits of rail-joint bond, appliance or other 

protective device, which provides a bypath for the electric current, or

    (2) As result of leakage current or foreign current in the rear of a 

point where a break occurs.

    (b) When a train, locomotive, or car occupies any part of a track 

circuit, including fouling section of turnout except turnouts of hand-

operated main track crossover. It shall not be a violation of this 

requirement where the presence of sand, rust, dirt, grease, or other 

foreign matter prevents effective



[[Page 593]]



shunting, except that where such conditions are known to exist adequate 

measures to safeguard train operation must be taken.

    (c) Where switch shunting circuit is used:

    (1) Switch point is not closed in normal position.

    (2) A switch is not locked where facing-point lock with circuit 

controller is used.

    (3) An independently operated fouling-point derail equipped with 

switch circuit controller is not in derailing position.



[33 FR 19684, Dec. 25, 1968, as amended at 49 FR 3383, Jan. 26, 1984]