49 CFR § 230.76 - Piston travel.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s230.76"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 230.76 - Piston travel."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "230.76"
section_name: "Piston travel."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "230"
part_name: "STEAM LOCOMOTIVE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE 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. 20103, 20107, 20702; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "64 FR 62865, Nov. 17, 1999, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "230"
---


# 230.76 Piston travel.

(a) *Minimum piston travel.* The minimum piston travel shall be sufficient to provide proper brake shoe clearance when the brakes are released.

(b) *Maximum piston travel.* The maximum piston travel when steam locomotive is standing shall be as follows:

| Type of wheel brake | Maximum piston travel (in inches) |
| --- | --- |
| Cam Type Driving Wheel Brake | 3⁄ |
| Other forms of Driving Wheel Brake | 6 |
| Engine Truck Brake | 8 |
| Tender Brake | 9 |