49 CFR § 238.405 - Longitudinal static compressive strength.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s238.405"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 238.405 - Longitudinal static compressive strength."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "238.405"
section_name: "Longitudinal static compressive strength."
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"
---


# 238.405 Longitudinal static compressive strength.

(a) To form an effective crash refuge for crewmembers occupying the cab of a power car, the underframe of the cab of a power car shall resist a minimum longitudinal static compressive force of 2,100,000 pounds without permanent deformation to the cab, unless equivalent protection to crewmembers is provided under an alternate design approach, validated through analysis and testing, and approved by FRA under the provisions of § 238.21.

(b) The underframe of the occupied volume of each trailer car shall resist a minimum longitudinal static compressive force of 800,000 pounds without permanent deformation to the car. To demonstrate compliance with this requirement, the 800,000-pound load shall be applied to the underframe of the occupied volume as it would be transmitted to the underframe by the full structure of the vehicle.

(c) Unoccupied volumes of a power car or a trailer car designed to crush as part of the crash energy management design are not subject to the requirements of this section.