1998 Minnesota Code
Chapters 218 - 222 Carriers
Chapter 219 Railroads
Section 219.56 Caboose car requirements, standards.

219.56 Caboose car requirements, standards.

It is unlawful for a person, corporation, or company operating a railroad to require or permit the use of caboose cars unless the caboose cars (1) are at least 24 feet in length, exclusive of platforms; (2) have a door at each end; (3) have a dry hopper, gas or electric incinerator, or other suitable toilet facilities; (4) have cupolas, bay windows, platforms, guard rails, grab irons, and steps for the safety of persons getting on or off the caboose cars; and (5) are equipped with at least two four-wheeled trucks. Shatterproof glass must be used in the doors of the caboose when the present glass is replaced. Each caboose, when placed in service, must be provided with paper cups and at least one gallon of potable water supplied by a water cooler, which is kept sanitary, clean, and operating. When failure of the required equipment or standards of maintenance occurs after a caboose has commenced to move in service, the railroad operating that caboose is not in violation of this section if the failure is corrected at the next initial terminal as defined in section 219.551, subdivision 2. Caboose cars built or purchased after January 1, 1968, must have underframing and superstructure constructed of steel or a material of equivalent strength and, after January 1, 1972, must also be equipped with a cushioned underframe or cushioned draft gears and shatterproof glass in all doors and windows. When caboose cars are operated at the rear of a train, as required by section 219.559, they must be equipped with a marker or markers which may consist of flags, lamps, flashing lights, or reflectorized devices.

HIST: (4879) 1909 c 382 s 1; 1941 c 230; 1967 c 155 s 1; 1969 c 49 s 1; 1971 c 141 s 1; 1973 c 115 s 1; 1985 c 265 art 4 s 1; 1988 c 697 s 3