Code of Federal Regulations

 

 

Sec._229.125 ------------------------------ Sec 229.133

FRA_Answers_-_20585_Gyralite

 

Sec. 229.125

[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4, Parts 200 to 399]
[Revised as of October 1, 1997]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR229.125]

[Page 285-286]

TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

PART 229--RAILROAD LOCOMOTIVE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents

Subpart C--Safety Requirements

Sec. 229.125 Headlights and auxiliary lights.

(a) Each lead locomotive used in road service shall have a headlight that produces at least 200,000 candela. If a locomotive or locomotive consist in road service is regularly required to run backward for any portion of its trip other than to pick up a detached portion of its train or to make terminal movements, it shall also have on its rear a headlight that produces at least 200,000 candela. Each headlight shall be arranged to illuminate a person at least 800 feet ahead and in front of the headlight.
(b) Each locomotive or locomotive consist used in yard service shall have two headlights, one located on the front of the locomotive or locomotive consist and one on its rear. Each headlight shall produce at least 60,000 candela and shall be arranged to illuminate a person at least 300 feet ahead and in front of the headlight.
(c) Headlights shall be provided with a device to dim the light.
(d) Effective December 31, 1997, each lead locomotive operated at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour over one or more public highway- rail crossings shall be equipped with operative auxiliary lights, in addition to the headlight required by paragraph (a) or (b) of this section. A locomotive equipped on March 6, 1996 with auxiliary lights in conformance with Sec. 229.133 shall be deemed to conform to this section until March 6, 2000. All locomotives in compliance with Sec. 229.133(c) shall be deemed to conform to this section. Auxiliary lights shall be composed as follows:
(1) Two white auxiliary lights shall be placed at the front of the locomotive to form a triangle with the headlight.
(i) The auxiliary lights shall be at least 36 inches above the top of the rail, except on MU locomotives and control cab locomotives where such placement would compromise the integrity of the car body or be otherwise impractical. Auxiliary lights on such MU locomotives and control cab locomotives shall be at least 24 inches above the top of the rail.
(ii) The auxiliary lights shall be spaced at least 36 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the auxiliary lights is 60 inches or more.
(iii) The auxiliary lights shall be spaced at least 60 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the auxiliary lights is less than 60 inches.
(2) Each auxiliary light shall produce at least 200,000 candela.
(3) The auxiliary lights shall be focused horizontally within 15 degrees of the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive.
(e) Auxiliary lights required by paragraph (d) of this section may be arranged
(1) to burn steadily or
(2) flash on approach to a crossing.
If the auxiliary lights are arranged to flash;
(i) they shall flash alternately at a rate of at least 40 flashes per minute and at most 180 flashes per minute,
(ii) the railroad's operating rules shall set a standard procedure for use of flashing lights at public highway-rail grade crossings, and
(iii) the flashing feature may be activated automatically, but shall be capable of manual activation and deactivation by the locomotive engineer.

[[Page 286]]

(f) Auxiliary lights required by paragraph (d) of this section shall be continuously illuminated immediately prior to and during movement of the locomotive, except as provided by railroad operating rules, timetable or special instructions, unless such exception is disapproved by FRA. A railroad may except use of auxiliary lights at a specific public highway-rail grade crossing by designating that exception in the railroad's operating rules, timetable, or a special order. Any exception from use of auxiliary lights at a specific public grade crossing can be disapproved for a stated cause by FRA's Associate Administrator for Safety or any one of FRA's Regional Administrators, after investigation by FRA and opportunity for response from the railroad.
(g) Movement of locomotives with defective auxiliary lights.
(1) A lead locomotive with only one failed auxiliary light must be repaired or switched to a trailing position before departure from the place where an initial terminal inspection is required for that train.
(2) A locomotive with only one auxiliary light that has failed after departure from an initial terminal, must be repaired not later than the next calendar inspection required by Sec. 229.21.
(3) A lead locomotive with two failed auxiliary lights may only proceed to the next place where repairs can be made. This movement must be consistent with Sec. 229.9.
(h) Any locomotive subject to Part 229, that was built before December 31, 1948, and that is not used regularly in commuter or intercity passenger service, shall be considered historic equipment and excepted from the requirements of paragraphs (d) through (h) of this section.

[45 FR 21109, Mar. 31, 1980, as amended at 61 FR 8887, Mar. 6, 1996]

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Sec. 229.133

[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4, Parts 200 to 399]
[Revised as of October 1, 1997]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR229.133]

[Page 286-288]

TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

PART 229--RAILROAD LOCOMOTIVE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents

Subpart C--Safety Requirements

Sec. 229.133 Interim locomotive conspicuity measures--auxiliary external lights.

(a) A locomotive at the head of a train or other movement is authorized to be equipped with auxiliary external lights, additional to the headlight required by Sec. 229.125, for the purpose of improved conspicuity. A locomotive that is equipped with auxiliary external lights in conformance with the specifications or performance standards set forth in paragraph (b) of this

[[Page 287]]

section on the date of issuance of a final rule that requires additional or other external lights on locomotives for improved conspicuity, as required by section 202(u) of the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970, shall be deemed to conform to the requirements of the final rule for four years following the date of issuance of that final rule.
(b) Each qualifying arrangement of auxiliary external lights shall conform to one of the following descriptions:
(1) Ditch lights.
(i) Ditch lights shall consist of two white lights, each producing a steady beam of at least 200,000 candela, placed at the front of the locomotive, at least 36 inches above the top of the rail.
(ii) Ditch lights shall be spaced at least 36 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the ditch lights is 60 inches or more.
(iii) Ditch lights shall be spaced at least 60 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the ditch lights is less than 60 inches.
(iv) Ditch lights shall be focused horizontally within 45 degrees of the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive.
(2) Strobe lights.
(i) Strobe lights shall consist of two white stroboscopic lights, each with ``effective intensity,'' as defined by the Illuminating Engineering Society's Guide for Calculating the Effective Intensity of Flashing Signal Lights (November 1964), of at least 500 candela.
(ii) The flash rate of strobe lights shall be at least 40 flashes per minute and at most 180 flashes per minute.
(iii) Strobe lights shall be placed at the front of the locomotive, at least 48 inches apart, and at least 36 inches above the top of the rail.
(3) Crossing lights.
(i) Crossing lights shall consist of two white lights, placed at the front of the locomotive, at least 36 inches above the top of the rail.
(ii) Crossing lights shall be spaced at least 36 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the ditch lights is 60 inches or more.
(iii) Crossing lights shall be spaced at least 60 inches apart if the vertical distance from the headlight to the horizontal axis of the ditch lights is less than 60 inches.
(iv) Each crossing light shall produce at least 200,000 candela, either steadily burning or alternately flashing.
(v) The flash rate of crossing lights shall be at least 40 flashes per minute and at most 180 flashes per minute.
(vi) Crossing lights shall be focused horizontally within 15 degrees of the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive.
(4) Oscillating light.
(i) An oscillating light shall consist of:
(A) One steadily burning white light producing at least 200,000 candela in a moving beam that depicts a circle or a horizontal figure "8" to the front, about the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive; or
(B) Two or more white lights producing at least 200,000 candela each, at one location on the front of the locomotive, that flash alternately with beams within five degrees horizontally to either side of the longitudinal centerline of the locomotive.
(ii) An oscillating light may incorporate a device that automatically extinguishes the white light if display of a light of another color is required to protect the safety of railroad operations.
(c)(1) Any lead locomotive equipped with oscillating lights as described in paragraph (b)(4) that were ordered for installation on that locomotive prior to January 1, 1996, is considered in compliance with Sec. 229.125(d) (1) through (3).
(2) Any lead locomotive equipped with strobe lights as described in paragraph (b)(2) and operated at speeds no greater than 40 miles per hour, is considered in compliance with Sec. 229.125(d) (1) through (3) until the locomotive is retired or rebuilt, whichever comes first.
(3) Any lead locomotive equipped with two white auxiliary lights spaced at least 44 inches apart on at least one axis which was equipped with these auxiliary lights before May 30, 1994, will be considered in compliance with

[[Page 288]]

Sec. 229.125(d) (1) through (3) until the locomotive is retired or rebuilt, whichever comes first.

[58 FR 6902, Feb. 3, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 24963, May 13, 1994; 59 FR 39705, Aug. 4, 1994; 61 FR 8887, Mar. 6, 1996]

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FRA Answers - 20585 Gyralite

Inquiry: 1998-1999

Answers by:

Edward R. English
Director, Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance

 

 

Is the Trans-Lite No. 20585 dual beam Gyralite (400,000 candlepower using 2 white bulbs) considered a headlight?

If the light mentioned meets the requirements of Section 229.125 (a) & (b) for locomotives used in road service or in yard service in that the light produces the required candela and meets the minimum illumination requirement, it would be considered a headlight.

If the No. 20585 unit is considered a headlight, could the locomotive be considered to be in compliance - with the addition of two non flashing ditch lights - if it was put into the oscillatory mode at grade crossings, etc., as required?

If the light in the oscillation mode fulfills the requirements of 229.125 (a) & (b) and the addition of two white is as described in 229.125 (d), the locomotive would be in compliance with the requirement for auxiliary lights.

What is the regulation requiring the triangular light pattern with locomotives having a headlight located in both the roof and the nose?

Prior to the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) issuing of the requirement found in Section 229.125 for auxiliary lights, some railroads installed oscillating headlights in the nose of the locomotive as part of the "Interim locomotive conspicuity measures - auxiliary external lights", Section 229.133. Any locomotive equipped as described by March 6, 1996, shall be deemed to conform with the requirements for auxiliary lights found in Section 229.125. The dimensions mentioned in Section 229.125 (d) are required dimensions with the exception of MU locomotives (self propelled passenger equipment).

If the No. 20585 Gyralite is not considered a headlight, is it still permitted to install a unit of this type on the locomotive (nose or roof)? Would the distance separation of the Gyralite or the headlight be the reference for separation of ditch lights?

A locomotive properly equipped with headlights and auxiliary lights may also be equipped with a Gyralite. If the Gyralite is not considered a headlight and a headlight and two auxiliary lights were used to form the required triangle, all required measurements are from the headlight, not the Gyralite.

What are the regulations for installing additional lights on the locomotive relative to upsetting the triangular pattern?

There is no additional requirement. If the additional lights do not obstruct the triangle pattern of the headlight and the auxiliary lights, additional lights could be applied.

Would there be a problem with this light constantly oscillating? Would it be alright to have this light unit function a straight-ahead headlight unit and only oscillate as needed?

If the light met the requirement for a headlight in the oscillating mode, it would be in compliance in the oscillating or straight-ahead mode. If the locomotive is equipped with a separate headlight, then it would make no difference what mode the oscillating light is in.

Would series wiring of the lamp bulbs be valid if the dual beam Gyralite is used exclusively for the locomotive's headlight?

Federal regulations do not address the means of wiring a headlight. If the performance standards of 229.125 (a) and (b) are fully met, 200,000 candela and the illumination of a person 800 feet ahead on road locomotives, and 60,000 candela and illumination of a person 300 feet ahead of a locomotive used in yard service, it may be used exclusively for the locomotive's headlight. Also, it must be equipped with a device to dim the light, 229.125 (c).

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