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