49 CFR § 213.53 - Gage.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s213.53"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 213.53 - Gage."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "213.53"
section_name: "Gage."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "213"
part_name: "TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 20102-20114 and 20142; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "63 FR 34029, June 22, 1998, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "213"
---


# 213.53 Gage.

(a) Gage is measured between the heads of the rails at right-angles to the rails in a plane five-eighths of an inch below the top of the rail head.

(b) Gage shall be within the limits prescribed in the following table—

| Class of track | The gage must be at least— | But not more than— |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Excepted track | N/A | 4′10⁄″. |
| Class 1 track | 4′8″ | 4′10″. |
| Class 2 and 3 track | 4′8″ | 4′9⁄″. |
| Class 4 and 5 track | 4′8″ | 4′9⁄″. |