IR Track Inspector

Example scenario loaded

Where you are

§213.9 · §213.14

Class of track (posted)

Geometry

Curvature

deg

1″ mid-ordinate on a 62′ chord ≈ 1°. Curved-track rules apply above 0.25°.

Rail

In a turnout Passenger trains Qualified cant deficiency > 5″

Gage§213.53

Gage (static)

Measured ⅝″ below the top of the railhead, at right angles. Accepts 57.75, 57 3/4, 57-3/4, or 4′ 9¾″.

Lateral rail movement under load

§213.13: add what the rails move under a train (both rails) to the static reading.

Alinement§213.55

62′ chord mid-ordinate deviation

Tangent: the mid-offset itself (a true tangent reads zero). Curve: the difference between the MCO at the spot and the average of the stations around it.

31′ chord mid-ordinate deviation

Required on curves in Classes 3–5; a 62′ chord can be blind to short kinks.

Surface & crosslevel§213.57 · §213.63

Profile, 62′ chord

Runoff in 31′ (end of raise)

Crosslevel at the point

Tangent: deviation from zero. Curve: the elevation at this point (enter reverse elevation as a negative, e.g. -1/2).

Warp (Δ crosslevel < 62′)

Largest difference in crosslevel between any two points less than 62′ apart. Use the Warp tool for a series of readings.

Warp within 10′

Short-spiral variation per 31′

Only where a pre-1998 engineering decision set a short spiral (rock cut, tunnel, platform).

Six consecutive pairs of staggered low joints each differ by more than 1¼″ (harmonic rock-off)

Curve speed§213.57(b)

Average elevation Ea

Average of 11 points at 15.5′ spacing through the body (whole curve if under 155′). Minimum elevation governs if runoff is in the body.

Qualified cant deficiency Eu

3″ for all equipment unless FRA approved higher.

Posted timetable speed

mph

Uses the curvature entered above. Vmax = √[(Ea + Eu) ÷ (0.0007 × D)]. Actual cant deficiency may exceed Eu by up to 1″ only from degradation, never by maintenance design.

Crossties§213.109

Non-defective ties in the 39′ segment

ties

Total ties in the segment

ties

Longest run of consecutive defective ties

ties

Not an FRA limit; UFC 4-860-03 uses it.

Joint tie support (if a joint is in the segment)

Tie type

Is this tie defective? (checklist)

Rail joints§213.115 · §213.121

Tread mismatch

Gage-side mismatch

Fewest effective bolts in either rail end

bolts

Joint gap

Joint bar condition

Torch-cut or burned bolt hole Torch-cut rail end

Rail defect§213.113

Defect type

Size

Break out in rail head Found by internal rail test (§213.237/§213.240)

Rail weight

Vertical head wear

Gage-side (horizontal) wear

Turnout, frog & guard rail§213.133–.143

Flangeway width (narrowest)

Frog flangeway depth

Frog point worn/chipped down

Depth below original profile, measured from the point to 6″ back toward the heel.

Frog tread wear

Guard check gage

Frog gage line to guard line of its guard rail, at the actual point (up to 6″ back if battered).

Guard face gage

Self-guarded frog: raised guard wear

Spring frog: hold-down housing to horn

Switch point gap at stock rail

Switch point worn/chipped down (6″ back)

Rail braces tight per stock rail

braces

Tie plates under rail, of 10 consecutive ties

of 10

Wheel tread outer edge contacts gage side of stock rail or spring wing rail Spring frog has bolt-hole defect or head-web separation No anchors through / each side of turnout Throw lever can be operated with lock or keeper in place

Ballast, drainage, vegetation, derails§213.33–.103 · §213.205

Warp from a series of crosslevel readings

UFC 4-860-03 ¶12-5 · §213.63

Pick one rail as the reference rail and keep it for the whole series. Enter each level-board reading with its sign: + when the reference rail is higher than the opposite rail, − when it is lower. Enter the distance from the previous reading (joints are usually 39′ apart, so readings at every joint are 19½′ on staggered track). The tool checks every pair of readings less than 62′ apart: same sign, subtract; opposite signs, add.

Class

Curve with 6″ or more elevation (1½″ limit applies, §213.63 fn 1)

Reading (in, signed)Distance from previous (ft)

Curve speed, curvature and balance

§213.57 · UFC Table 12-2

Mid-ordinate measured

Chord

62′: 1″ ≈ 1°. 31′: ¼″ ≈ 1°.

or enter degree of curve

Average elevation Ea

Cant deficiency Eu

Posted speed

mph

Rail defect remedial action

§213.113(c) · UFC Table 7-1

Class

Defect

Size

Break out in rail head Found during §213.237/.240 internal rail test

Required inspection frequency

§213.233 · §213.235 · §213.4(c)

Class

Type of track

A spur, lead or running track worked under main-track rules counts as main track.

Regularly scheduled passenger trains …only tourist / scenic / excursion service More than 10 million gross tons last calendar year Track used less than once a week Track used less than once a month Concrete ties, Class 4–5 main (or Class 3 with passenger)

Fraction converter

Enter a measurement

Ask about a track condition

Part 213 · FRA manual · UFC

Describe what you found in plain words. The answer is drawn from the Track Safety Standards (49 CFR 213 Subparts A–F), FRA's Track and Structures Compliance Manual guidance, and the Army's UFC 4-860-03 methodology, and it cites the section it relies on. It is information for a qualified inspector, not an FRA interpretation.

Answers use your own Claude account the first time you ask; you will be asked to allow it.

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Sources and limits

Limits in this app are taken from 49 CFR Part 213 Subparts A–F (Track Safety Standards, Classes 1–5 and excepted track) as reproduced with guidance in FRA's Track and Structures Compliance Manual, Volume II Chapter 1 (January 2023); the Department of Defense Unified Facilities Criteria UFC 4-860-03, Railroad Track Maintenance and Safety Standards (13 February 2008), for measurement method and DoD maintenance/safety thresholds; and publicly available Railway Tie Association crosstie specification summaries. AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering values are referenced only where the FRA manual or UFC quote them; the AREMA manual itself is a copyrighted document and is not reproduced here.

Subpart G (Classes 6–9) is not covered. Where this app and the current eCFR text differ, the eCFR controls. A person designated under §213.7 makes the final call on remedial action; this app helps you find the governing section and its limit quickly.

App version 1.0 · Interactive Rail, LLC