---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 C.F.R. § 174.310"
title: "49"
number: "174.310"
heading: "Requirements for the operation of high-hazard flammable trains."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/49/174.310"
---

# §174.310. Requirements for the operation of high-hazard flammable trains.

- (a) **Applicability.** Each rail carrier operating a high-hazard flammable train (as defined in [§ 171.8](/cfr/49/171.8.md) of this subchapter) must comply with each of the following additional safety requirements with respect to each high-hazard flammable train that it operates:
  - (1) **Routing.** The additional planning requirements for transportation by rail in accordance with [part 172](/cfr/49/part172.md), [subpart I](/cfr/49/subpartI.md) of this subchapter.
  - (2) **Speed restrictions.** All trains are limited to a maximum speed of 50 mph. The train is further limited to a maximum speed of 40 mph while that train travels within the limits of high-threat urban areas (HTUAs) as defined in [§ 1580.3](/cfr/49/1580.3.md) of this title, unless all tank cars containing a Class 3 flammable liquid meet or exceed the DOT Specification 117 standards, the DOT Specification 117P performance standards, or the DOT Specification 117R retrofit standards provided in [part 179](/cfr/49/part179.md), [subpart D](/cfr/49/subpartD.md) of this subchapter.
  - (3) **Braking.** Each rail carrier operating a high-hazard flammable train (as defined in [§ 171.8](/cfr/49/171.8.md) of this subchapter) operating at a speed in excess of 30 mph must ensure the train is equipped and operated with either a two-way end-of-train (EOT) device, as defined in [49 CFR 232.5](/cfr/49/232.5.md), or a distributed power (DP) system, as defined in [49 CFR 229.5](/cfr/49/229.5.md).
  - (4) **New tank cars.** After October 1, 2015, tank cars manufactured for use in a HHFT must meet:
    - (i) DOT Specification 117, or 117P performance standard in [part 179](/cfr/49/part179.md), [subpart D](/cfr/49/subpartD.md) of this subchapter; or
    - (ii) **An authorized tank specification as specified in part 173, subpart F of this subchapter.**
  - (5) **Retrofit reporting.** Owners of non-jacketed DOT-111 tank cars in PG I service in an HHFT, who are unable to meet the January 1, 2017, retrofit deadline specified in [§ 173.243(a)(1)](/cfr/49/173.243.md?p=a-1) of this subchapter are required to submit a report by March 1, 2017, to Department of Transportation. A group representing owners may submit a consolidated report to the Department of Transportation in lieu of individual reports from each tank car owner. The report must include the following information regarding the retrofitting progress:
    - (i) The total number of tank cars retrofitted to meet the DOT-117R specification;
    - (ii) The total number of tank cars built or retrofitted to meet the DOT-117P specification;
    - (iii) The total number of DOT-111 tank cars (including those built to CPC-1232 industry standard) that have not been modified;
    - (iv) The total number of tank cars built to meet the DOT-117 specification; and
    - (v) Entities required to submit a report under this paragraph shall submit subsequent follow-up reports containing the information identified in this paragraph within 60 days of being notified by PHMSA and FRA.
  - (6) **Oil spill response plans.** The additional requirements for petroleum oil transported by rail in accordance with [part 130](/cfr/49/part130.md) of of this chapter.
  - (7) **High-hazard flammable train (HHFT) information sharing notification for emergency response planning.** The additional requirements for notification in [§ 174.312](/cfr/49/174.312.md).
- (b) [Reserved]

## Notes

### Amendments

[80 FR 26748, May 8, 2015, as amended at 83 FR 48401, Sept. 25, 2018; 84 FR 6952, Feb. 28, 2019]

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5101-5128; 33 U.S.C. 1321; 49 CFR 1.81 and 1.97.

### Amendments

[80 FR 26748, May 8, 2015, as amended at 83 FR 48401, Sept. 25, 2018; 84 FR 6952, Feb. 28, 2019]