49 CFR § 230.78 - Leakage.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s230.78"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 230.78 - Leakage."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "230.78"
section_name: "Leakage."
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"
---


# 230.78 Leakage.

(a) *Main reservoirs and related piping.* Leakage from main reservoir and related piping shall be tested at every 92 service day inspection and shall not exceed an average of 3 psi per minute in a test of 3 minutes duration that is made after the pressure has been reduced to 60 percent of the maximum operating pressure.

(b) *Brake cylinders.* Leakage from brake cylinders shall be tested at every 92 service day inspection. With a full service application from maximum brake pipe pressure, and with communication to the brake cylinders closed, the brakes on the steam locomotive and tender must remain applied for a minimum of 5 minutes.

(c) *Brake pipes.* Steam locomotive brake pipe leakage shall be tested at the beginning of each day the locomotive is used, and shall not exceed 5 psi per minute.