The 92-day locomotive inspection and the blue card
In the United States a locomotive must receive a periodic inspection at intervals of no more than 92 days. The inspection is recorded on form FRA F 6180-49A, known as the blue card, which is kept in the cab. Canadian units that run into the United States work to the same cycle.
Three inspections, three clocks
| Inspection | Interval | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | At least once each calendar day the locomotive is in use | A report with the carrier, unit number, place, date, time, defects found and the inspector's signature, kept at least 92 days |
| Periodic | Not more than 92 days | Blue card, form FRA F 6180-49A |
| Periodic, extended | Up to 184 days for locomotives that qualify under the 2012 Locomotive Safety Standards rule | Blue card |
The 92-day interval is the base rule. The 184-day option applies only to locomotives that meet the added conditions in section 229.23.
Air brake dates on the same card
Air brake maintenance has its own intervals under section 229.29, and the dates go on the blue card too:
- Filtering devices in the main reservoir supply line: every 368 days or less.
- 26-L or equivalent brake systems: every 1,104 days or less.
- 26-L with an air dryer: every 1,472 days or less.
- Electronic systems such as CCB and Fastbrake: every 1,840 days or less.
Rules worth remembering
- A condition that does not comply must be repaired before the locomotive is used.
- The unit must be placed so the whole underside can be inspected safely.
- The carrier designates the qualified people who inspect.
Staging parts
A periodic inspection finds the same wear items again and again. Shops that keep these on the shelf rarely hold a unit past its date:
- Brake shoes, hoses and glad hand gaskets
- Carbon brushes for traction motors and generators
- Filters: air, fuel, lube oil
- Headlight and ditch light lamps, wiper blades
- Sander parts
Longer items, such as brake valve overhauls, are best ordered against the air brake dates on the card rather than found at inspection.
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This article is a summary for planning. The rule text governs.
Sources
- 49 CFR Part 229, Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards, eCFR
- 49 CFR 229.21, Daily inspection, Cornell Law
- 49 CFR 229.29, Air brake system calibration, maintenance and testing, Cornell Law
- Locomotive Safety Standards final rule, Federal Register, 2012
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