Switching placarded rail cars, transport vehicles, freight containers, and bulk packagings.

(a)In switching operations where the use of hand brakes is necessary—#

(1)It must be determined by trial whether a loaded, placarded car, or a car occupied by a rider in a draft containing a placarded car, has its hand brakes in proper working condition before it is cut off;#

(2)A loaded, placarded tank car or a draft which includes a loaded placarded tank car may not be cut off until the preceding rail car clears the ladder track; and#

(3)A loaded, placarded tank car or a draft which includes a loaded placarded tank car must clear the ladder track before another rail car is allowed to follow.#

(b)Any loaded rail car placarded for a Division 1.1 or Division 1.2 explosive, a Division 2.3 Hazard Zone A gas or a Division 6.1 PG I Hazard Zone A material, or a Class DOT 113 tank car displaying a Division 2.1 (flammable gas) placard, including a Class DOT 113 tank car containing only a residue of a Division 2.1 material, may not be:#

(1)Cut off while in motion;#

(2)Coupled into with more force than is necessary to complete the coupling; or#

(3)Struck by any car moving under its own momentum.#

(c)A placarded flatcar, or a flatcar carrying a placarded transport vehicle, freight container, or bulk packaging under this subchapter may not be cut off while in motion.#

(d)No rail car moving under its own momentum may be permitted to strike any placarded flatcar or any flatcar carrying a placarded transport vehicle, freight container, or bulk packaging.#

(e)No placarded flatcar or any flatcar carrying a placarded transport vehicle, freight container, or bulk packaging may be coupled into with more force than is necessary to complete the coupling.#

(f)When transporting a rail car, transport vehicle, or freight container placarded for Division 1.1 or 1.2 (explosive) materials in a terminal, yard, or on a side track or siding, the placarded rail car must be separated from the engine by at least one non-placarded rail car and must be placed in a location so that it will be safe from danger of fire. A rail car, transport vehicle, or freight container placarded for Division 1.1 or 1.2 (explosive) materials may not be placed under a bridge or overhead crossing, or in or alongside a passenger shed or station, except during transfer operations.#