Structural Clearances

PURPOSE: This rule prescribes the vertical and horizontal clearances of all structures constructed across or adjacent to railroad or street railway tracts. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The secretary of state has determined that the publication of the entire text of the material which is incorporated by reference as a portion of this rule would be unduly cumbersome or expensive. This material as incorporated by reference in this rule shall be maintained by the agency at its headquarters and shall be made available to the public for inspection and copying at no more than the actual cost of reproduction. This note applies only to the reference material. The entire text of the rule is printed here. (1) Effective March 15, 1951 no railway or railroad corporation, county, municipality, township, or other corporation, firm, or person shall erect or cause to be erected any passenger or freight station platforms, or any permanent structure over or contiguous to any railroad track(s), switch, or siding, such as shop buildings, coal bins, manufacturing or industrial buildings, or any other structure whatsoever, so that the vertical and horizontal clearances are less than the prescribed minimum contained in this rule, unless permission is received from the division for variance. (2) Bridges, viaducts, tunnels, overhead roadways, footbridges, or other structures hereafter built over the track(s) of a railroad(s) by a county, municipality, township, railroad company, or other corporation, firm, or person shall be not less than twentytwo feet (22') in the clear from the top of the rails of the track(s) to the bottom of the lowest sill, girder, or crossbeam or other structure and the lowest downward projection of the bridges, viaduct, tunnel, overhead roadway, or footbridge. No through truss bridge shall be constructed in any track, nor shall any bridge or other structure be constructed, across or adjacent to any track having a vertical clearance less than twenty-two feet (22') above the top of rail for a lateral distance of four feet (4') from the center line of track. From a point of four feet (4') horizontally distant from the center line of track and twentytwo feet (22') above the top of rail, the clearance lines may extend downward at an angle to points which are eight feet (8') distant on each side of the center line of track and sixteen feet (16') above the top of rail. (3) The following horizontal clearance applies to all steam and diesel railroads: (A) No bridge shall be constructed having a horizontal clearance of less than eight feet (8') from the center line of track at a point four feet (4') vertically distant from the top of rail. From a point eight feet (8') horizontally distant from the center line of track and four feet (4') vertically distant from the top of rail, the clearance lines may extend at an angle to a point five feet (5') horizontally distant from the center line of track at the level of the top of rail; (B) Except as provided in this rule, no track may be constructed adjacent to any building or structure nor shall any signal post, switch stand, building, or any other structure TRANSPORTATION be constructed adjacent to any track which has a horizontal clearance of less than eight feet six inches (8'6") from the center of track, measured at right angles, it being understood that the horizontal clearance of eight feet six inches (8'6") shall be maintained to a point sixteen feet (16') above the level of the top of rail, provided that the clearance line for structures other than buildings, retainers, guards, and low platforms may extend from a point four feet (4') above the top of rail, downward at an angle to a point five feet six inches (5'6") distant from the center line of track at a point which is level with the top of rail; (C) Engine terminal and shop structures such as engine houses, engine and car repair shops, cinder conveyors, and turntables may be constructed with horizontal clearances of not less than six feet (6') from the center of terminal or shop tracks adjoining or entering them, provided that in every such case warning signs are erected at a suitable location at each end of the structures calling the trainmen’s attention to insufficient clearance. The clearance requirements of this rule do not apply to working platforms and working structures inside of engine houses and repair shops; (D) Platforms for loading and unloading of freight, including livestock, the tops of which are approximately level with the floor of freight cars, may be constructed adjacent to one (1) side only of freight tracks which are not in open thoroughfare, at a distance less than eight feet six inches (8'6") from the center of track, but not less than five feet nine inches (5'9") from the center. In every such case, warning signs shall be erected at a suitable location at each end of the platform, directing the trainmen’s attention to insufficient clearance and prohibiting them from riding on the sides of cars while in motion; (E) Passenger loading platforms, the tops of which are level with the platforms of passenger cars, may be constructed next to tracks which are given up wholly to passenger service at a distance less than eight feet six inches (8'6") from the center line of tracks, provided the passenger coaches are equipped with platform gates and kept closed while the train is in motion. Passenger loading platforms which do not exceed a height of four inches (4") above the top of rail may be constructed a distance of not less than four feet six inches (4'6") from the center line of track and platforms which do not exceed a height of eight inches (8") above the top of rail may be constructed a distance not less than five feet one inch (5'1") from the center line of track; (F) Loose materials, such as coal, sand, scrap iron, and the like, may not be stored or piled adjacent to a railroad track with a horizontal clearance at any point less than eight feet six inches (8'6") from the center of track, measured at right angle to, except as provided in this rule. A guard or retainer to hold the loose materials may be constructed with a horizontal clearance of not less than eight feet six inches (8'6") from the center line of track, measured at a right angle to the center. The horizontal clearance of eight feet six inches (8'6") shall be maintained to a retainer or guard height of sixteen feet (16') above the level of the top of rail. Along a freight track not in open thoroughfare, a retainer or guard, the top of which is approximately level with the floor of freight cars, may be constructed adjacent to but one (1) side of the track with a horizontal clearance of less than eight feet six inches (8'6") but not less than five feet nine inches (5'9") to the center line of track, measured at a right angle to the center, provided that in every such case warning signs shall be erected at a suitable location at each end of the retainer or guard directing the trainmen’s attention to the insufficient clearance and prohibiting trainmen from riding the sides of cars while in motion. No individual, partnership, association, or corporation may store or pile loose material adjacent to a railroad track unless a retainer or guard with the clearances prescribed is erected, or unless, immediately after the piling of this material all such material not providing a clearance of eight feet six inches (8'6") to the center line of adjacent railroad tracks is removed. Retainers or guards constructed to hold the loose materials shall not have a horizontal clearance less than the prescribed minimum in this subsection, unless permission has been received from the division to vary. This subsection does not apply to individuals, partnerships, corporations, trustees, or receivers owning or operating a railroad while engaged in the construction, maintenance, or repair of a railroad track or other structure; (G) No railroad track unless specifically authorized by the division, shall be constructed after July 1, 1985 so that the center line of track is less than fourteen feet (14') from the center line of an adjacent track and no ladder track shall be constructed so that the center line of the ladder track is less than nineteen feet (19') from the center line of an adjacent ladder track or less than seventeen feet (17') from the center line of any other track. Any system of three (3) or more tracks at freight houses, warehouses, wharves, or similar structures, used exclusively for handling freight to or from platforms located on one (1) or both sides, may have track center distances of thirteen feet (13'), provided that at least two (2) tracks in one (1) such system shall have centers not less than thirteen feet six inches (13'6") provided that no track having track center distances of less than fourteen feet (14') shall be used as a thoroughfare track. The distance between tracks may be diminished to the extent necessary for the construction of crossings, crossovers, gauntlet tracks, turnouts, switches, or radial tracks. The provisions requiring fourteen feet (14') distances between track centers do not apply to the construction of tracks under viaducts or other overpasses which originally were designed to accommodate an additional track(s) at distances of less than fourteen feet (14') between track centers, if under that design the additional track(s) cannot be constructed with a distance between track centers of fourteen feet (14'). Permission to construct tracks with less clearance may be granted by the division if, after a thorough investigation in any particular case, it is determined that the construction would not create a condition unduly hazardous to railroad employees or other persons; (H) At locations where low switch stands and dwarf signals are placed between tracks having track center distances of fourteen feet (14') or less, the horizontal clearance rule contained in subsection (2)(A) applies; and (I) The horizontal clearances specified do not apply to automatic train stop wayside inductors provided the inductor does not extend more than three inches (3") above the level of the top of rail and is not less than four feet two inches (4'2") from the center of track. (4) The following horizontal clearances apply to all electric and street railroads: (A) Except as provided in this rule, no track shall be constructed adjacent to any building or structure, nor shall any signal post, switch stand, building, or other structure be constructed adjacent to any track which has a horizontal clearance of less than seven feet six inches (7'6") from the center of track measured at right angles to the center, it being understood that the horizontal clearance of seven feet six inches (7'6") shall be maintained, in respect to buildings, to a point on the vertical clearance line, as previously established. The clearance line for structures other than buildings and low platforms may extend from a point two feet eight inches (2'8") above the level of the top of rail, downward at an angle to a point five feet six inches (5'6") distant from the center line of track at a point level with the top of rail; (B) Platforms for loading and unloading of freight and express matter into or from cars of the passenger or express type, the tops of which are approximately level with the floors of the cars may be constructed adjacent to only one (1) side of a track which is not in open thoroughfare at a distance less than seven feet six inches (7'6") from the center of track. When these platforms are constructed with a clearance less than seven feet six inches (7'6"), the horizontal clearances shall not be less than four feet nine inches (4'9"), provided that in every such case warning signs are erected at a suitable location at each end of the platform, calling trainmen’s attention to insufficient clearance and prohibiting them from riding on the sides of cars while in motion; (C) Passenger loading platforms, the tops of which are level with the platforms of passenger cars, may be constructed adjacent to tracks at a distance less than seven feet six inches (7'6") from the center line of the tracks provided the passenger coaches are equipped with platform gates and kept closed while the train is in motion. Passenger loading platforms which do not exceed a height of four inches (4") above the top of rail may be constructed at a distance of not less than four feet six inches (4'6") from the center line of track; and platforms which do not exceed height of eight inches (8") above the top of rail, may be constructed a distance of not less than five feet one inch (5'1") from the center line of track; (D) Canopies at passenger stations and terminals may be erected, the edges of which have a clearance less than seven feet six inches (7'6") from the center of track, provided the lowest projection of the canopy is not less than eleven feet four inches (11'4") above the top of rail; (E) Third rail conductors placed preferably between tracks where there is more than one (1) track shall be maintained at a distance which does not exceed one foot eight and one-half inches (1' 8 1/2") measured from gauge of main track to the center of the third rail conductor. The height of the conductor shall not exceed six and one-half inches (6 1/2") above the top of rail; (F) In case of roads using passenger cars greater or less than nine feet (9') in width, a corresponding change in the specified horizontal clearances shall be used, it being understood that points five feet six inches (5'6") distant from the center of track and level with the top of rail are fixed; (G) In city streets where the clearances between main tracks are such that the distance between the sides of passing cars is less than three feet (3'), the windows of all cars shall be equipped with bars, screens, or other suitable protective devices and all vestibule doors kept closed when cars are in motion; and (H) In case of roads using cars greater or less than nine feet (9') in width, a corresponding change shall be made in the horizontal clearance specified in this rule, provided that the specified clearance of three feet (3') between cars is not varied. (5) In all cases, the horizontal clearance that is specified relates to tracks on tangents or on slight curves. Where the curvature is six degrees (6°) or more, the horizontal clearance must be sufficiently increased to secure the minimum allowance provided for under this rule. Unless the type of equipment to be operated on a track would indicate otherwise, horizontal clearances for structures should be increased three inches (3") for a curvature of six degrees (6°) and should be increased an additional one-half inch (1/2") for each additional degree of curve; and track centers should be increased four and one-half inches (4 1/2") for a curvature of six degrees (6°) and should be increased an additional three-fourths inch (3/4") for each additional degree of curve. All horizontal clearances should be measured along lines parallel to the plane formed by the top of the rails and from a center line perpendicular to that plane, in order to take into consideration the effect of any rail superelevation. (6) All wire, cable conductors, trolley wires, guards, guys, and other apparatus or fixtures used in connection when located upon, along, or across the property, or right-of-way of any railroad or railway system shall be constructed in conformance with the rules contained in the National Electrical Safety Code (2012 Edition), incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this rule as published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854-4141. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions of this code. TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY: section 622.027, RSMo 2016.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 265-8.060. Emergency rule filed June 14, 1985, effective July 1, 1985, expired Oct. 28, 1985. Original rule filed Aug. 1, 1985, effective Oct. 29, 1985. Moved and amended: Filed March 9, 2018, effective Oct. 30, 2018. *Original authority: 622.027, RSMo 1985, amended 1993, 1995.