I know it has something to do with the glass, but what? None of the engineers or conductors I work with can tell me what it is exactly.
2007-07-10 11:48:56 · 7 answers · asked by e.sillery 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Rail
No reason a freight crew (that's NORMAL freight crew, Hoghead ;-) should know what FRA 223 glazing is. It's only of concern to the locomotive and passenger car shop.
FRA 223 glazing complies with Title 49 CFR 223 law
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_04/49cfr223_04.html
Railroad car glass must stop a .22 bullet. It must also stop a corner hit from a cinder block. (at 8 mph for side windows and 30 mph for end windows.) The law says how to certify your glass, you have to actually test samples :)
Upshot, railroad glass is tough. Often made of 1/2" thick polycarbonate!
2007-07-10 14:31:23 · answer #1 · answered by Wolf Harper 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
FRA is the Federal Railroad Administration... Glazing is the combination of the frame and glass itself... 223 is the safety-standard that glass meets.
It's rather sad to hear that railroad employees aren't aware of that.
Here is one link that discusses FRA 223: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=36419934603f85c0a2559a87cd464e6d&rgn=div5&view=text&node=49:4.1.1.1.18&idno=49
It basically covers the safety requirements for mounting the window, keeping it mounted, how well it resists damage, etc.
2007-07-10 12:59:54 · answer #2 · answered by mariner31 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The safety glass keeps debris and projectiles from coming through the windows and maiming operators. I've heard some nasty stories of people throwing bricks and things at passing locomotives, so the layered glass was added for the crews' benefit. I couldn't tell you what year this took effect.
2007-07-10 14:26:19 · answer #3 · answered by highball116 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's multi-layered glass: strong glass on the outside, and a layer of plastic on the inside. The windshield has multiple layers, but the side windows usually just have the two layers.
On the side windows, if you drag a thumbnail across the inside of the side window, you will leave a mark in the plastic, so don't do it!
2007-07-11 09:27:08 · answer #4 · answered by Electro-Fogey 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really an answer to the question, but i think is interesting about the glass.
If it is about 10*F outside, and you hit the glass with a piece of ballast, it makes a neat popping sound as if spiderwebs.
2007-07-11 11:46:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
wolf harper is pretty right on but if its polycarbonate it is NOT glass
2007-07-10 21:31:02 · answer #6 · answered by nvrdunit90605 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shatter proof, just like in your car, but stronger. Not bullet proof, but it will sure slow a slug down.........
Who says we don't know what it is?
2007-07-10 13:02:12 · answer #7 · answered by Samurai Hoghead 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋