§ 33.122. Side clearances.
(a) Minimum side clearances from center line of tangent railroad tracks, used or proposed to be used for transporting freight cars, shall conform with the regulations of this section, except that structures, including platforms and tracks, constructed or under construction prior to the adoption of this Subchapter may be maintained and extended at existing clearances.
(b) All structures and obstructions above the top of the rail, except those specifically exempted in this section, shall have a minimum side clearance of 12 feet from the center line of the track.
(c) Platforms, except platforms adjacent to main or passing tracks, 4 feet or less above the top of the rail may have lesser clearance than 8 feet, 6 inches, from center line of tracks on one side of such tracks only if a full clearance of 8 feet, 6 inches, is maintained on opposite side of track or track centers to adjacent track are not less than 14 feet.
(d) Platforms 4 feet, 6 inches, or less above the top of the rail, if used principally for loading or unloading refrigerator cars, may be constructed 8 feet from the center line of the track.
(e) Platforms previously constructed at less than the clearances prescribed in this section may be extended at such lesser clearances, unless such an extension is in connection with reconstruction of the original platform.
(f) Low passenger platforms not over 8 inches above the top of the rail may be 5 feet, 1 inch, from the center line of the track. High passenger platforms not over 4 feet above the top of the rail may be 5 feet, 7 inches, from the center line of the track.
(g) Side clearances, other than for platforms, on sidings only, at entrances to and inside of buildings, shall not be less than 8 feet from the center line of the track.
(h) Switchboxes, switch-operating mechanisms, and accessories necessary for the control and operation of signals and interlockers projecting 4 inches or less above the top of the rail shall not be less than 3 feet from the center line of the track.
(i) The center spindle of signal and switch stands 3 feet or less above the top of the rail and located between tracks, if not practicable to provide the clearances otherwise prescribed in this section, shall not be less than 6 feet from the center line of the track.
(j) Through bridges supporting track affected, tunnels, water columns, and oil columns should not be less than 8 feet from the center line of the track, except if special protection is required for unusual commodities.
(k) Clearances for through bridges supporting track affected, water barrel platforms and refuge platforms on bridges and trestles not provided with walkways, handrails, water barrels, water columns, oil columns, block signals, cattle guards, and stock chutes if all or portions thereof are 4 feet or less above the top of the rail, may be decreased to the extent defined by a line extending diagonally upward from a point level with the top of the rail and 5 feet distant laterally from the center line of the track to a point 4 feet above the top of the rail and 8 feet distant laterally from the center line of the track to a point 4 feet above the top of the rail and 8 feet distant laterally from the center line of the track; however, the minimum clearance for handrails and water barrels on bridges with walkways shall be 7 feet, 9 inches, and the minimum clearance for fences for cattle guards shall be 6 feet, 9 inches.
(l) Lesser clearances, authorized in subsection (k) providing for handrails and water barrels, do not apply to through bridges if the work of trainmen or yardmen require them to be upon the decks of such bridges for the purpose of coupling and uncoupling cars in the performance of switching service on a switching lead.
(m) The side clearances specified in this section do not apply to mail cranes during such time as arms of such mail cranes are supporting mail sacks for delivery, if the top arm is not higher than 10 feet, 8 inches, above the top of the rail and neither arm extends within 6 feet, 5 inches, from the center line of the track.
(n) Icing platforms and supports shall have a minimum side clearance of eight feet.
(o) Operations over portions of track adjacent to icing platforms previously constructed with a side clearance of less than eight feet shall be restricted, except in emergencies, to the movement or switching of trains containing refrigerator cars to be iced, and necessary use of such tracks for the unloading of supplies required for the operation of an icing dock.
(p) The side clearances specified in this section do not apply to intertrack fences located on the center line between tracks.
(q) The clearances provided in this section do not apply to enginehouses, enginehouse facilities, tipples, or facilities used for servicing cars or for loading or unloading of bulk commodities, if such compliance is not reasonably practicable.
(r) The side clearances specified in this section do not apply to car retarders, derails, switch point protectors, guardrails, and similar appurtenances projecting 3 inches or less above the top of the rail.
(s) All minimum side clearances prescribed in this section are for tangent tracks. Structures adjacent to curve tracks shall have additional minimum side clearance compensating for curvature.
Source The provisions of this § 33.122 were formerly designated Section 2 by the Commission.
Cross References This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 33.123 (relating to overhead and side clearances).
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