# 49 CFR § 229.55: Piston travel

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.55

## Section

- **Citation:** 49 CFR § 229.55
- **Heading:** Piston travel
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 49—Transportation > Subtitle B—Other Regulations Relating to Transportation > CHAPTER II—FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION > PART 229—RAILROAD LOCOMOTIVE SAFETY STANDARDS > Subpart C—Safety Requirements > Brake System

## Text

(a) Brake cylinder piston travel shall be sufficient to provide brake shoe clearance when the brakes are released.
(b) When the brakes are applied on a standing locomotive, the brake cylinder piston travel may not exceed 1
1/2 inches less than the total possible piston travel. The total possible piston travel for each locomotive shall be entered on Form FRA F 6180-49A.
(c) The minimum brake cylinder pressure shall be 30 pounds per square inch.

## Nearby sections

- [49 CFR § 229.41 § 229.41 Protection against personal injury.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.41.md)
- [49 CFR § 229.43 § 229.43 Exhaust and battery gases.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.43.md)
- [49 CFR § 229.45 § 229.45 General condition.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.45.md)
- [49 CFR § 229.46 § 229.46 Brakes: general.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.46.md)
- [49 CFR § 229.47 § 229.47 Emergency brake valve.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.47.md)
- [49 CFR § 229.49 § 229.49 Main reservoir system.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.49.md)
- [49 CFR § 229.51 § 229.51 Aluminum main reservoirs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.51.md)
- [49 CFR § 229.53 § 229.53 Brake gauges.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.53.md)
- [49 CFR § 229.55 § 229.55 Piston travel.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.55.md)
- [49 CFR § 229.57 § 229.57 Foundation brake gear.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.57.md)
- [49 CFR § 229.59 § 229.59 Leakage.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.59.md)
- [49 CFR § 229.61 § 229.61 Draft system.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.61.md)
- [49 CFR § 229.63 § 229.63 Lateral motion.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.63.md)
- [49 CFR § 229.64 § 229.64 Plain bearings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.64.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-229.55. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.