[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR230.96]

[Page 339-340]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 230--STEAM LOCOMOTIVE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
                Subpart C--Steam Locomotives and Tenders
 
Sec. 230.96  Main, side, and valve motion rods.

    (a) General. Main, side or valve motion rods developing cracks or 
becoming otherwise defective shall be removed from service immediately 
and repaired or renewed.
    (b) Repairs. Repairs, and welding of main, side or valve motion rods 
shall be made in accordance with an accepted national standard. The 
steam locomotive owner and/or operator shall submit a written request 
for approval to the FRA Regional Administrator prior to welding 
defective main rods, side rods, and valve gear components.

[[Page 340]]

    (c) Bearings and bushings. Bearings and bushings shall so fit the 
rods as to be in a safe and suitable condition for service, and means 
shall be provided to prevent bushings from turning in the rod. Straps 
shall fit and be securely bolted to rods. Floating bushings need not be 
provided with means to prevent bushings from turning.
    (d) Side motion of rods. The total amount of side motion of each rod 
on its crank pin shall not exceed \1/4\ inch.
    (e) Oil and grease cups. Oil and grease cups shall be securely 
attached to rods, and grease cup plugs shall be equipped with a suitable 
fastening that will prevent them from being ejected.
    (f) Main rod bearings. The bore of main rod bearings shall not 
exceed pin diameters more than \3/32\ inch at front or back end. The 
total lost motion at both ends shall not exceed \5/32\ inch.
    (g) Side rod bearings. The bore of side rod bearings shall not 
exceed pin diameters more than \5/32\ inch on main pin nor more than \3/
16\ inch on other pins.