Pullmans on museum trains?

JamesKissinger · **Joined:** Sat Nov 20, 2004 12:30 pm **Posts:** 59

I was under the impression from my FRA that if you use the old brake rules (excursion / museum) that an AB ABD, ABDW, etc. in passenger service would be two years if your railroad is considered part of the general railway system. For preservation purposes, the UC is the right answer, though it is a 15 month valve as I understand it. Please correct me if I have this wrong.

James

SZuiderveen · **Posted:** Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:21 pm

From the Code of Federal Regulations:

Quote:

Appendix B to Part 232--Part 232 Prior to May 31, 2001 as Clarified
Effective April 10, 2002
I. Part 232 prior to May 31, 2001.

Sec. 232.17 Freight and passenger train car brakes.

(a) * * *
(b)(1) * * *
(2) Brake equipment on passenger cars must be clean, repaired,
lubricated and tested as often as necessary to maintain it in a safe and
suitable condition for service but not less frequently than as required
in Standard S-045 in the Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices
of the AAR.

I do not have a copy in front of me of S-045 to quote, but it states that freight valve equipment on passenger cars is to be cleaned as often as specified in the Field Manual of the AAR; which presently means run to failure. APTA recognized some folly in this, and petitioned FRA to change 49 CFR 238 to state that freight valve equipment in passenger service is good for six years (Amtrak and commuter service)

Steve Zuiderveen