49 CFR § 238.223 - Locomotive fuel tanks.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s238.223"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 238.223 - Locomotive fuel tanks."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "238.223"
section_name: "Locomotive fuel tanks."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "238"
part_name: "PASSENGER EQUIPMENT 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. 20103, 20107, 20133, 20141, 20302-20303, 20306, 20701-20702, 21301-21302, 21304; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "64 FR 25660, May 12, 1999, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "238"
---


# 238.223 Locomotive fuel tanks.

Locomotive fuel tanks shall comply with either the following or an industry standard providing at least an equivalent level of safety if approved by FRA under § 238.21:

(a) *External fuel tanks.* External locomotive fuel tanks shall comply with the requirements contained in Appendix D to this part.

(b) *Internal fuel tanks.* (1) Internal locomotive fuel tanks shall be positioned in a manner to reduce the likelihood of accidental penetration from roadway debris or collision.

(2) Internal fuel tank vent systems shall be designed so they do not become a path of fuel loss in any tank orientation due to a locomotive overturning.

(3) Internal fuel tank bulkheads and skin shall, at a minimum, be equivalent to a 5/16-inch thick steel plate with a yield strength of 25,000 pounds per square inch. Material of a higher yield strength may be used to decrease the required thickness of the material provided at least an equivalent level of strength is maintained. Skid plates are not required.

[67 FR 19991, Apr. 23, 2002]