2.1.2 Car Inspection (Yard)

 Prototype operations. 

General. Railroads constantly do car inspections to insure safe operations. Car inspections take place four different ways.

1. Yard. When a train is located at yard to either start or terminate its run or to set out or pick up cars.
   
2. Roll by inspection (human). When a train stops to let another train meet or pass it, trainmen on the head end of the stopped train must inspect the passing train from the ground. If safe to do so, a crew member must cross the track and inspect the side of the passing train opposite the stopped train.
3. Trackside Warning (Detector). When a train passes an automated detector location. Crew members must be aware of trackside warning detectors and signals from persons inspecting their train. If they receive a stop signal, the trackside warning detector indicates failed equipment. Or, if they detect a dangerous condition, the train must be stopped immediately for an inspection. Movement must not proceed until it is safe,
4. Station Agent. When a car is set or or pulled and upon completion of loading or unloading.
   

 Each inspection orients on a different aspect of the cars's safety and serviceability.

The WWSL

General. When personnel are not on duty primarily to inspect freight cars, each car placed in the train may be moved after it receives a safety inspection as follows:

• Leaning/Sagging
• Improper position on the truck
• Objects hanging or dragging from the car or extending from the side
• Insecurely attached doors
• Broken or missing safe appliances
• Contents leaking from placarded hazardous material car
• Insecure coupling device
• Overheated wheel or journal
• Broken or cracked wheel, or has a flat spot more than 2-1/2 inches long
• Brakes that fails to release
• Open top loads, including trailers and containers on flat cars, must be loaded safely.

Specific

Yard Inspection. Upon arrival at a yard, the Car Department inspects the train. Blue flags are placed for safety and car inspectors walk the length of the train, checking each car. 

• All cars are checked for current repack dates and air brake dates.
  

• All cars have their journal boxes opened, inspected and lubricated as required.
  

• ARA Type F and G loaded cars are checked for proper loading per AAR rules.

• All cars are inspected for width or height clearance restrictions.  Movement must be cleared with the proper authority.
  

• Empty AAR Type X, R and G cars are inspected following Interchange Rule 1, and graded into one of 5 categories:

• A, B, C, K (contaminated) and U (condemned), plus D for gondola cars.
• in current era N and W also are used
• Dirty cars (containing refuse and not yet cleaned) otherwise graded A, B, C are graded X, Y, Z and sent for car cleaning..

• Cars failing inspection are indicated by insertion of a Car Quality Card and handled accordingly.

• A freight car with any defect that makes movement unsafe must be corrected or set out of the train. Minor repairs, such as replacing brake shoes, air hoses, etc are done in the yard. More seriously defective cars are sent to the repair-in-place (rip) track.