N.Y. Railroad Law § 69: Minimum standards for track inspection and maintenance

§ 69. Minimum standards for track inspection and maintenance. In the

case of all tracks over which there are regularly scheduled passenger

movements, and all tracks currently being used for the movement of

freight trains where the maximum authorized speed is in excess of

thirty-five miles per hour, the following regulations requiring track

inspection shall apply to all common carriers by a class one railroad

operating within the state of New York:

1. Track inspection shall be made by a track foreman or equally

qualified employee of the railroad company involved, provided such

employee shall not be required to inspect more than one hundred miles of

track per day.

2. Each railroad shall assign a supervisory employee above the rank of

track foreman to be in charge of the inspection required by these

regulations of all track within the area of his responsibility, which

area shall be clearly designated.

3. Tracks subject to this section shall be inspected not less than

twice each week.

4. All switches shall be inspected on foot at least once each month.

5. If track cars or other vehicles, including off-track vehicles, are

used for twice-weekly inspections, they shall be operated at such speed

as will insure adequate inspection but not in excess of five miles per

hour at all railroad crossings, highway crossings and switches.

6. Inspection of track shall include particular attention to the

detection of unsafe conditions resulting from bad alignment, improper

cross level, faulty gauge, loose ties, broken or missing bolts, and

broken rails and angle bars.

7. In all inspections of highway crossings, particular attention shall

be given to the detection of unsafe conditions resulting from loose

planking or obstructed flangeways.

8. In the monthly on-foot inspection of switches, particular attention

shall be given to the detection of unsafe conditions resulting from open

or defective switch points, loose or missing bolts in heel fillers on

blocking, defective guard rails or frogs. Switches not in "Automatic

Signal" or "Centralized Traffic Control" territory shall be operated at

least once each month to insure that they are in proper working order.

9. Where twice-weekly inspections are required, such inspections shall

not be made on consecutive days.

10. Except in case of emergency, when passenger trains are to be

operated over tracks not subject to this regulation, such tracks shall

be inspected within forty-eight hours prior to the operation of such

trains.

11. When the track inspection reveals improper alignment, improper

cross level, faulty gauge, loose ties, defective switch points, or any

condition which, in the judgment of the individual inspecting the track,

creates an unsafe track condition, he shall take immediate appropriate

action for the safety of operations and report, in writing, to his

superior officer the condition observed and the action taken.