[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 74 (Wednesday, April 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 20741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8104]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Safety Advisory 2008-01

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Safety Advisory; damage to intermediate air hose 
elbow connection on certain freight cars equipped with end-of-car 
cushion devices.

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SUMMARY: FRA's Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance Motive Power 
and Equipment (MP&E) Division has been notified that certain freight 
cars equipped with end-of-car cushioning (EOCC) devices may have damage 
to a 90-degree elbow connected to the trainline angle cock.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Blankenship, Mechanical Engineer, 
MP&E Division (RRS-14); FRA Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, telephone: (202) 
493-6446.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On newly constructed freight cars, the air 
brake trainline must pass the Association of American Railroads (AAR) 
Standard S-471, Brake Pipe Restriction Test. This requirement is used 
to verify the clear and open path of air to adequately operate the 
train air brake system. The Brake Pipe Restriction Test requires that a 
1-inch round nylon ball be transmitted through the trainline under air 
pressure of 80 psi.
    The intermediate air hose arrangement, as shown in Rule 4, Figure 
22 of the Field Manual of the AAR Interchange Rules, shows a 90-degree 
swivel elbow connected to the angle cock. The intermediate air hose 
(located between the angle cock and the standard air brake hose) has 
this 90-degree elbow attached to the air hose end of the angle cock. 
When cars are uncoupled while charged with air, the glad hand on the 
standard air brake hose can (if not properly restrained) whip back and 
strike the 90-degree elbow. The violent impact of the glad hand 
striking this elbow causes the elbow to bend or flatten and 
subsequently restrict the air flow. This bending or flattening of the 
90-degree elbow, if uncorrected, can cause sticking brakes, wheel tread 
buildup, and diminished capacity of the train air brake system. Freight 
cars with bent or flattened 90-degree elbows are in violation of Title 
49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 232.205(c)(3), which 
states in part, ``air hoses shall be properly coupled and shall not 
kink, bind, or foul or be in any other condition that restricts air 
flow.''
    FRA has found damage to the intermediate air hose arrangement 90-
degree elbow on ATSF 621000-, ATSF 622000-, and BNSF 534000-series cars 
owned by BNSF Railway (BNSF). BNSF has implemented an aggressive 
program to address this issue on cars in their ownership by fleet 
inspection and repair of cars found with damage to the 90-degree elbow.
    Additional cars that have been observed with this type of defect 
include LW 42000-series box cars and TBOX 660000-series box cars.
    Recommended Action: Recognizing the need to ensure safety, FRA 
recommends that railroads and car owners that operate freight cars 
equipped with EOCC devices having intermediate air hoses with 90-degree 
elbows subject to the damage described above initiate an inspection and 
repair program to ensure cars are maintained in accordance with AAR 
Interchange Rule 4, Figure 22, and that the trainline is not obstructed 
or restricted.
    FRA may modify this Safety Advisory 2008-01, issue additional 
safety advisories, or take other appropriate action necessary to ensure 
the highest level of safety on the Nation's railroads.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 9, 2008.
Jo Strang,
Associate Administrator for Safety.
 [FR Doc. E8-8104 Filed 4-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P