FRA Regulations
The Federal Railroad Administration has implemented safety glazing standards for railroad passenger cars.
Review some of the required information needed for waivers and the FRA's definitions of "Historic" and "Antiquated" equipment by clicking here.
To see FRA tourist railroad jurisdiction information, click here.
To browse the Code of Federal Regulations, click here.
To browse the FRA Motive Power & Equipment Compliance Manual, click here.
To view Title 49 CFR Part 223 on Safety Glazing, click here.
Glazing Requirements Summary
Definitions:
“Historical equipment” refers to locomotives, passenger coaches or cabooses which have historical significance
“Antiquated equipment” - In general, the FRA Railroad Safety Board considers passenger cars built prior to the end of World War II (1945 or earlier) to be antiquated
“Excursion” means an operation which transports passengers to one or more points of interest and returns them to the original point of departure
General Provisions:
If passenger equipment was built post 1945, you have the following options:
Bring equipment into glazing compliance with applicable requirements of the CFR
Apply to the FRA's Railroad Safety Board for a waiver of each peice of non compliant equipment.
Remove the equipment from service.
If a private passenger car is used for private transportation purposes, Title 49 CFR Part 223 does NOT apply.
If a private passenger car is used for Tourist/Excursion purposes and was built before January 1, 1946, Title 49 CFR Part 233 does NOT apply.
If a private passenger car is used for Tourist/Excursion purposes and was built after January 1, 1946, Title 49 CFR Part 233 DOES apply.
If the requirements of 49 CFR part 223 apply to your car, then it shall be equipped with certified glazing in all windows and a minimum of four emergency windows after June 30, 1984 (FRA Type I Forward/Rearward Facing, FRA Type II Side Facing). In the event of vandalism, the damaged glazing must be replaced with compliant material.
If your private car is used in tourist/excursion service on a rare occasion, and FRA considers it to be “non-compliant”, you may apply to FRA for permission to operate the car under specified safety conditions:
The request letter must be sent to FRA’s Docket Clerk at Headquarters in Washington, DC (not the Regional Office).
FRA will conduct a safety inspection of the equipment.
If FRA’s Office of Safety chooses to exercise “one-time” Enforcement Discretion, you will receive a letter with specified safety conditions that must be forwarded to the railroads handling the equipment.
If your private car is used in tourist/excursion service frequently, and FRA considers it to be “non-compliant”, you may apply to FRA for a waiver to operate the car under specified safety conditions:
The request letter must be sent to FRA’s Docket Clerk at Headquarters in Washington, DC (not the Regional Office).
FRA will conduct a safety inspection of the equipment.
If FRA’s Office of Safety grants your waiver petition, you will receive an approval letter with specified safety conditions that must be forwarded to the railroads handling the equipment, and a time limit for the waiver (typically five years with an option for renewal).
Download FRA Safety Board Waiver Process
Waiver Request Mailing Address:
Docket Clerk
Federal Railroad Administration
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590
Enforcement Discretion Letter:
Mr. Edward W. Pritchard
Director, Office of Safety
Assurance & Compliance
Federal Railroad Administration
Mail Stop 25
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590