49 CFR § 218.127 Railroad Operating Practices

§ 218.127 Specific freight train exceptions to crew size safety requirements.

Current through Sep 25, 2026 · Read all of Part 218

The requirements in this subpart are not applicable to the following freight train operations that are operated with a one-person train crew:

(a) Mine load out, plant dumping, or similar operation exception. A unit freight train:

(1) Being loaded or unloaded in an assembly line manner;

(2) Located on a track that is temporarily made inaccessible from the general railroad system of transportation;

(3) Moving at a maximum authorized speed of 10 miles per hour or less;

(4) Not requiring the one-person train crewmember to operate a hand-operated switch, fill out paperwork, or call signal indications during the loading or unloading process; and

(5) If the operation is overseen by another person, typically in a tower or on the ground, requiring that person to have the capability of communicating with the one-person train crewmember operating the train.

(b) [Reserved]

← § 218.125 Specific passenger and tourist train operation exceptions to crew size safety requirements.§ 218.129 Conditional exceptions based on compliance dates for Class II and III legacy freight train operations, certain other Class II and III freight railroad train operations, work train operations, helper service train operations, and lite locomotive train operations staffed with a one-person train crew. →