Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 108 Part 2.djvu/165

 PUBLIC LAW 103-272—JULY 5, 1994 108 STAT. 881 to be complying with the final regulations for 4 years after the final regulations are prescribed. §20144. Blue signal protection for on-track vehicles Regulations. The Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe regulations applying blue signal protection to on-track vehicles where rest is provided. CHAPTER 203—SAFETY APPLIANCES Sec. 20301. Definition and nonapplication. 20302. General requirements. 20303. Moving defective and insecure vehicles needing repairs. 20304. Assumption of risk by employees. 20305. Inspection of mail cars. 20306. Exemption for technological improvements. § 20301. DeHnition and nonapplication (a) DEFINITION.— In this chapter, "vehicle" means a car, locomotive, tender, or similar vehicle. (b) NONAPPLICATION.— This chapter does not apply to the following: (1) a train of 4-wheel coal cars. (2) a train of 8-wheel standard logging cars if the height of each car from the top of the rail to the center of the coupling is not more than 25 inches. (3) a locomotive used in hauling a train referred to in clause (2) of this subsection when the locomotive and cars of the train are used only to transport logs. § 20302. General requirements (a) GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section and section 20303 of this title, a railroad carrier may use or allow to be used on any of its railroad lines— (1) a vehicle only if it is equipped with— (A) couplers coupling automatically by impact, and capable of being uncoupled, without the necessity of individuals going between the ends of the vehicles; (B) secure sill steps and efficient hand brakes; and (C) secure ladders and running boards when required by the Secretary of Transportation, and, if ladders are required, secure handholds or grab irons on its roof at the top of each ladder; (2) except as otherwise ordered by the Secretary, a vehicle only if it is equipped with secure grab irons or handholds on its ends and sides for greater security to individuals in coupling and uncoupling vehicles; (3) a vehicle only if it complies with the standard height of drawbars required by regulations prescribed by the Secretary; (4) a locomotive only if it is equipped with a power-driving wheel brake and appliances for operating the train-brake system; and (5) a train only if— (A) enough of the vehicles in the train are equipped with power or train brakes so that the engineer on the locomotive hauling the train can control the train's speed without the necessity of brake operators using the common hand brakes for that purpose; and

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