Railroad - Position in Train

General Requirements

General requirements for train position of placarded rail cars, transport vehicles, freight containers, and bulk packagings are found in §174.85.

A car placarded RADIOACTIVE must comply with train position requirements of §174.85(d) and must also be separated from a locomotive, occupied caboose, or carload of undeveloped film by at least one non-placarded car. In addition, if any tank car contains residue of a hazardous material, it must be separated by at least one rail car other than a placarded tank car.

Restrictions for positions of rail cars can found in the table in §174.85(d).

When Accompanied by Guards or Technical Escorts

Requirements for train position of placarded rail cars, transport vehicles, freight containers, and bulk packagings when accompanied by guards or technical escorts are found in §174.84.

When a rail car placarded in Division 1.1 or 1.2 explosive materials; Division 2.3 Hazard Zone A poisonous gas materials; or Division 6.1 PG I, Hazard Zone A and poisonous liquids are in a moving or standing train, they must be next to and ahead of any car occupied by guards or technical escorts accompanying the placarded car. However, if the rail car containing the guards has temperature control equipment in operation, it must be the fourth car behind those requiring Division 1.1 or 1.2 explosive placards.

To learn more about Railroad HAZMAT visit our DOT Railroad HAZMAT Online Training web page.