Passenger Equipment Safety Standards

Subpart D

Air Brake Tests 

Module 5

Module 5

Module 5

Module Objectives
        - List wheel defects that would trigger a Single Car Test
        - Summarize Class I, Class IA and Class II brake test requirements

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Single Car Test 238.311
        - Cars requiring a single car test or any other test (e.g., brake reservoir, brake cylinder, etc.), may be moved in passenger service to next forward location where test can be made provided the following conditions are met;

Before movement, car must be visually observed on both sides to determine that the brakes apply and release

Car is appropriately tagged on both sides 

The required test is performed as part of or prior to the car’s next calendar day mechanical inspection

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Refer to single car test matrix 

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Single Car Test Triggers
        - Be aware of the events that trigger a Single Car Test (see matrix) 
        - Be aware that there are exceptions provided the railroad does its part to prove that certain wheel defects were not air brake system related 

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Discuss matrix

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Class I Brake Test - 238.313Commuter and Short & Long Distance Intercity 
        - Each calendar day
        - Long-distance intercity passenger trains at departure or originating terminal each calendar day or 1500 miles of continuous service whichever occurs first
        - A long distance, intercity passenger train that misses a scheduled calendar day Class I brake test due to a delay en route may proceed to the point where the Class I brake test was scheduled to be performed. A Class I brake test shall be completed at that point prior to placing the train back in service
        - Special consideration given to late night commuter trains (see matrix)

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Refer to brake test matrix 

Class I is essentially a initial terminal brake test

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Class I Brake TestAdding Cars
        - Each passenger car or unpowered vehicle added to a passenger train shall receive a Class I or Class 1A brake test unless written notice is provided to train crew that a Class I brake test was performed on the car within the previous calendar day and the car has not been off a source of compressed air for more than four hours prior to being added to the train
        - The written notice shall contain the date, time and location of the last Class 1 brake test

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Class I Brake TestWho & How?
        - Class I brake test must be performed by a QMP
        - Class I brake test may be performed either separately or in conjunction with the exterior calendar day mechanical inspection
        - Class I brake test shall be performed at the air pressure at which the train will be operated, but not less than 90 psi
        - Unless the car or vehicle is moving under 238.15(b), 100 percent operative brakes are required on passenger trains receiving a Class I brake test
        - Brakes must be observed/inspected on both sides of car to verify application and release
        - Friction brakes must apply and remain applied until a release of the brakes has been initiated

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Class I Brake TestHow?

	Check;

Brake shoes or pads aligned correctly, proper thickness and firmly seated firmly against the wheel or disc,

Piston travel or actuator (within prescribed limits),

Communication signal system or two-way radio tested for proper operation,

Engineer’s brake valve or controller for proper operation,

Brake pipe leakage does not exceed 5 psi per minute if brake pipe leakage will affect service performance,

Emergency control devices (e.g. deadman pedal) function as intended,

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Does the emergency control device place train in emergency?

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Class I Brake TestHow? - Continued

Angle and cut-out cocks properly positioned,

Brake rigging does not bind or foul,

Electropneumatic brakes function as intended verified by walking each car,

Brake disks are free from cracks that exceed manufacturers specifications,

Brake indicators if so equipped operate as intended,

Brake pipe pressure changes are verified at the rear of the train.

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Class I Brake TestRecords
        - A written or electronic record shall be maintained of each Class I brake test performed and be provided to FRA upon request
        - This record shall be maintained at the place where the inspection is conducted or at one central location and shall be retained for at least 92 days.
        - The record must contain the following information;

The date and time that the Class I brake test was performed,

The location where the test was performed,

The identification number of the controlling locomotive of the train,

The total number of cars inspected during the test, and

The signature or electronic identification of the inspector.

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Class IA Brake Test - 238.315 When?
        - Prior to the first morning departure of each commuter or short-distance intercity passenger train unless a Class I brake test was performed in the previous 12 hours and the train has not been used since the performance of the Class I brake test and the train has not been off a source of compressed air for more than four hours since the Class I brake test was performed
        - Commuter or short-distance intercity passenger trains providing continuous late night service that began prior to midnight may forgo an additional brake test.  However, trains in this type service shall receive Class I or Class IA brake test before starting a new daily operating cycle 
        - If a Class IA brake test is performed at the start of the new daily operating cycle, the train must receive a Class I brake test at some point during the current calendar day 

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Refer to brake test matrix

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Class IA Brake TestWho & How
        - Class IA brake test must be performed by a QP or QMP
        - Class IA brake test shall be performed at the air pressure at which the train will be operated
        - Unless the car or vehicle is moving under 238.15 (b),  100 percent operative brakes are required on passenger trains receiving a Class IA brake test
        - Each brake must be observed/inspected to verify application and release if the railroad determines that the procedure is safe
        - If not safe, brake indicators may be used to determine the set and release on cars so equipped, but observation must be made by walking the train

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Class IA Brake TestHow?

	Check;

Brake pipe leakage does not exceed 5 pounds per square inch per minute if brake pipe leakage will affect service performance,

Each brake sets and releases by inspecting in the manner previously described,

On MU equipment, the emergency brake application and the deadman pedal or other emergency control devices function as intended,

Each angle cock and cutout cock is properly set,

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Class IA Brake TestHow? - Continued

The communication of brake pipe pressure changes at the rear of the train is verified, which may be accomplished by observation of an application and release of the brakes on the last car in the train, and

Communication signal system or two-way radio tested for proper operation.

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Class II Brake Test – 238.317When?
        - All passenger trains whenever the control stand used to control the train is changed prior to the train's departure from the terminal complex with passengers
        - Prior to the first mornings departure of each commuter or short-distance intercity passenger train where the Class I brake test remains valid
        - Cars that have received a Class I brake test the previous calendar day, have not been off a source of compressed air for more then four hours and are added to a train
        - Cars or equipment are removed from a train
        - When operator first takes charge of train except in cases of face to face relief

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Class II Brake TestWho & How
        - Class IA brake test must be performed by a QP or QMP
        - Except as provided in 238.15, a railroad shall not use or haul a passenger train in passenger service from a terminal or yard where a Class II brake test has been performed, or was required by this part to have been performed, with any of the brakes cut-out, inoperative, or defective

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Class II Brake TestHow? 

	Check;
        - The brakes apply and release at the rear of the train in response to signal from engineer’s brake valve or controller from leading or controlling unit, or a gauge or similar device at the rear of train or cab or the rear unit indicating brake pipe pressure changes,
        - On MU equipment, the emergency brake application and deadman pedal or other emergency control devices function as intended,
        - Communication signal system or two-way radio tested for proper operation.

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Running Brake Test – 238.319When
        - After all passenger train departures a soon as conditions safely permit
        - All passenger trains whenever the control stand used to control the train is changed within a terminal complex and train is not in passenger service

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Running Brake TestHow?
        - The running brake test shall be conducted in accordance with the railroad's established operating rules, and shall be made by applying brakes in a manner that allows the engineer to ascertain whether the brakes are operating properly
        - If the engineer determines that the brakes are not operating properly, the engineer shall stop the train and follow the procedures provided in 238.15.

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End of Module 5
        - Take a break!!!

Module 5