NAC705.030. Side clearances.

     1. Minimum side clearances from center line of tangent standard gauge railroad tracks, which are used or proposed to be used for transporting freight cars, must be as follows:

Item Description	Minimum Side Clearance          From Center Line of Track
(a) All structures, except those specifically mentioned below.	8 ft. 6 in.
(b) Platforms:
(1) Eight inches or less above top of rail.	4 ft. 8 in.
(2) Four feet or less above top of rail.	7 ft. 8 in.
(3) Four feet six inches or less above top of rail when used principally for loading or unloading refrigerator cars or other cars used in lieu thereof. Ê Stepped platforms combining two or more of the above platform clearances are not permitted. Existing platforms constructed before June 21, l976, may be extended at the existing clearance, provided that the clearance, unless otherwise permitted by this chapter, may not be less than 6 feet 6 inches from the center line of the track.	8 ft. 0 in.
(c) Poles: All poles.	8 ft. 6 in.
(d) Through bridges supporting track affected and tunnels.	8 ft. 0 in.
(e) Block signals and switch stands:
(1) Switch boxes, switch-operating mechanisms and accessories necessary for the control and operation of signals and interlocks projecting 4 inches or less above the top of rail.	3 ft. 0 in.
(2) Block signals and switch stands 3 feet or less above top of rail and located between tracks where not practicable to provide clearances otherwise prescribed in the chapter.	6 ft. 0 in.
(3) All other block signals and switch stands.	8 ft. 6 in.
(f) Water columns and oil columns.	8 ft. 0 in.
(g) Through bridges, handrails, water barrels and refuge platforms on bridges and trestles, water columns, oil columns, block signals, cattle guards and cattle chutes or portions thereof, 4 feet or less above top of rail may have clearances decreased to the extent defined by a line extending diagonally upward from a point level with the top of rail and 5 feet distant laterally from a center line of track; provided that the minimum clearance for such handrails is 7 feet 6 inches and the minimum clearance for fences of cattle guards is 6 feet 9 inches.
(h) Walkways on designated and newly constructed bridges and trestles.	8 ft. 0 in. to outside         edge of walkway
(i) All other objects and articles.	8 ft. 6 in.

     2. All minimum side clearances prescribed in this section are for tangent track. In general, all structures adjacent to curved track must have a minimum side clearance 1 foot greater than that required for tangent track. Where space is limited, the minimum side clearance for structures adjacent to tracks of not over 12 degree curvature must be the same as for tangent track, but if over 12 degree curvature, 1/4 inch must be added to the equivalent minimum side clearance required for tangent track for each degree of the curve. Where track contains superelevation, minimum side clearances will be increased as necessary to give the equivalent clearances based on tangent track.

     3. Minimum side clearances authorized in this section are applicable to tracks on which freight cars having a maximum overall width not greater than 10 feet 10 inches are transported. On tracks over which freight cars of greater width are transported or proposed to be transported, the minimum side clearances will be increased not less than one-half of the additional width.

     [Pub. Service Comm’n, Railroad Gen. Order 11 § 2, eff. 6-21-76]—(NAC A by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R051-01, 12-17-2001)