NY RR L § 69 (2021)
2021 New York Laws RRD - Railroad Article 3 - Construction, Operation and Management 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 the 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.