49 CFR § 239.1 - Purpose and scope.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s239.1"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 239.1 - Purpose and scope."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "239.1"
section_name: "Purpose and scope."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "239"
part_name: "PASSENGER TRAIN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS"
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. 20102-20103, 20105-20114, 20133, 21301, 21304, and 21311; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "63 FR 24676, May 4, 1998, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "239"
---


# 239.1 Purpose and scope.

(a) The purpose of this part is to reduce the magnitude and severity of casualties in railroad operations by ensuring that railroads involved in passenger train operations can effectively and efficiently manage passenger train emergencies.

(b) This part prescribes minimum Federal safety standards for the preparation, adoption, and implementation of emergency preparedness plans by railroads connected with the operation of passenger trains, and requires each affected railroad to instruct its employees on the provisions of its plan. This part does not restrict railroads from adopting and enforcing additional or more stringent requirements not inconsistent with this part.