(a) The guard check and guard face gages in frogs shall be within the following limits—
| Class of track
| Guard check gage
| Guard face gage
|
|---|
| The distance between the gage line of a frog to the guard line
1 of its guard rail or guarding face, measured across the track at right angles to the gage line,
2 may not be less than—
| The distance between guard lines,
1 measured across the track at right angles to the gage line,
2 may not be more than—
|
|---|
| Class 1 track | 4′6
1/8″ | 4′5
1/4″
|
| Class 2 track | 4′6
1/4″ | 4′5
1/8″
|
| Class 3 and 4 track | 4′6
3/8″ | 4′5
1/8″
|
| Class 5 track |
3 4′6
1/2″ | 4′5″
|
(b) For any heavy-point frog (HPF) on Class 5 track, the guard check gage may be less than 4′6
1/2″ but not be less than 4′6
3/8″, provided that:
(1) Each HPF and guard rails on both rails through the turnout are equipped with at least three serviceable through-gage plates with elastic rail fasteners and guard rail braces that permit adjustment of the guard check gage without removing spikes or other fasteners from the crossties; and
(2) Each HPF bears an identifying mark applied by either the track owner, railroad, or the frog manufacturer that identifies the frog as an HPF.
[85 FR 63388, Oct. 7, 2020]