49 CFR § 218.91 - Purpose and scope.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s218.91"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 218.91 - Purpose and scope."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "218.91"
section_name: "Purpose and scope."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "218"
part_name: "RAILROAD OPERATING PRACTICES"
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. 20103, 20107, 20131, 20138, 20144, 20168; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "44 FR 2175, Jan. 10, 1979, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "218"
---


# 218.91 Purpose and scope.

(a) The purpose of this subpart is to prevent accidents and casualties that can result from the mishandling of equipment, switches, and fixed derails.

(b) This subpart prescribes minimum operating rule requirements for the handling of equipment, switches, and fixed derails. Each railroad may prescribe additional or more stringent requirements in its operating rules, timetables, timetable special instructions, and other instructions.