N.Y. Railroad Law Section 78
Coal jimmies and caboose cars


The use of cars known and designated as “coal jimmies” in any form and the use of any car as a caboose unless it shall have a suitable and safe platform at each end thereof, and the usual railing for the protection of persons using such platform, shall be unlawful within the state, except upon any railroad whose main line is less than fifteen miles in length and whose average grade exceeds two hundred feet to the mile. This section shall not be construed to authorize the interchange of such “coal jimmies” with, and the use thereof upon, railroads of more than fifteen miles in length or whose average grade is less than two hundred feet to the mile. From and after the first day of July, nineteen hundred and twenty-four it shall be unlawful for any corporation or individual to man, equip, or to use within the state on any railroad a caboose car, or car to serve the purpose of a caboose car, which shall be less than twenty-four feet in length exclusive of the platform, or which shall have a center constructive strength less than that of the fifty-ton freight cars built according to master car builders’ standards. Such caboose or other equivalent car shall be constructed with steel center sills with two four-wheeled trucks; with each platform not less than twenty-four inches wide, with proper guard rails, grab irons and steps, which shall be equipped with a suitable rod, board or other guard designed to prevent slipping from the car step. Each such car shall have a door at each end and shall be equipped with four separate sleeping berths not less than six feet and two inches in length. Each such car shall contain a properly furnished toilet room, sink, icebox, water cooler, clothing lockers, fire extinguishers, and with either a cupola of sufficient size to accommodate at least two men or bay windows. Each such car on every freight train shall be equipped with electric markers of sufficient candle power to be visible for a distance of three thousand feet under normal weather conditions. Flashing type or constant burning markers shall be deemed a sufficient compliance with the foregoing requirement. The glass in all windows and doors of each such car shall be shatterproof. Whenever any caboose or other car used for like purpose now in use by any such railroad company shall, after this act goes into effect, be brought into any shop for general repairs it shall be unlawful to again put the same into use within this state, as a caboose or other car used for like purpose unless it be equipped as provided in this act. All cabooses built after January first, nineteen hundred sixty-five must be of steel construction and equipped with electric lights. This section shall not apply to cabooses or other equivalent cars used in the switching service or on trains operated wholly within twenty-five miles of yard limits. Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars for each separate offense. This penalty is in addition to that provided for in § 81 (Violation of sections seventy-seven, seventy-seven-c, seventy-eight, seventy-nine, and eighty)section eighty-one of this chapter.

Source: Section 78 — Coal jimmies and caboose cars, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/RRD/78 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Mar. 23, 2024).

50
Liability of corporation to employees of contractor
51
Weight of rail
51–A
Clearances
52
Fences, farm crossings and cattle-guards
52–A
Fences along road operated by electric third rail
52–B
Fences along right of way
52–C
Fences in Queens county
52–D
Debris to be cleared
52–E
Penalties for littering
53
Sign boards, flagmen and gates at crossings
53–A
Warning signs
53–B
Ringing bells and blowing whistles at crossings
53–C
Obstructing farm and highway crossings
53–D
Unlawful propulsion of a missile at railroad trains
53–E
Unlawful interference with a railroad train
53–F
Joint inspection of traffic-control signals interconnected with highway-rail at-grade crossing warning systems
54
Notice of starting trains
54–A
Communication
55
Accommodation of connecting roads
56
Locomotives must stop at grade crossings
57
Rates of fare
57–A
A steam or electric railroad corporation having a franchise from this state, operating to and from stations within a city of over a milli...
58
Excess charge when fare paid on cars
59
Penalty for excessive fare
60
Issue and use of mileage books
61
Passenger refusing to pay fare may be ejected
61–A
Sounding of certain signals on railroad cars by unauthorized persons
62
Sleeping and parlor cars
63
Persons employed as drivers, conductors, motormen or gripmen
63–A
Minimum crew size
64
Injuries to employees
65
Conductors and employees must wear badges
66
Checks for baggage
67
Penalties for injuries to baggage
68
Unclaimed freight and baggage
69
Minimum standards for track inspection and maintenance
70
Rights and liabilities as common carriers
71
Duties imposed
71–A
Reflective whistle signs
72
Inspection of locomotives
73
Inspectors of locomotives
74
Care of steam locomotives
75
commissioner of transportation may approve other safeguards
76
Use of stoves or furnaces prohibited
76–A
Motor cars and equipment
76–B
Equipment required on motor vehicles transporting railroad employees
77
Equipment of engines
77–A
First-aid equipment on locomotives
77–B
Speedometers on certain locomotives
77–C
Sanitary conditions
78
Coal jimmies and caboose cars
78–A
Electric or battery-powered markers
79
Air-brakes
80
Couplers
81
Violation of sections seventy-seven, seventy-seven-c, seventy-eight, seventy-nine, and eighty
82
Canada thistles to be cut
83
Riding on platform
83–A
Operation of motor vehicles, snowmobiles, recreational vehicles, and riding of animals on railroad property
83–B
Trespass upon railroad premises
84
Corporations may establish ferries
85
Certain railroads may cease operation in winter
86
Certain railroads need not be operated beyond June, July, August and September
87
Mails
88
When railroads may designate police officers
89
New railroads across streets
90
New streets across railroads
91
Alteration or rehabilitation of existing crossing
92
Acquisition of land, right or easement in crossing
93
Repair of bridges and subways at crossings
93–A
Maintenance and removal of highway-railroad crossing at grade
93–B
Maintenance and removal of highway-railroad separation structures
94
Performance of work
95
Proceedings by commissioner of transportation for alteration of existing crossings
96
Proceedings to enforce orders of commissioner of transportation
97
Intercity rail passenger service
97–A
Commuter rail service
98
Intersection of railroads
99
Application of foregoing section
100
Temporary leave granted by court to a street surface railroad
101
Consent of commissioner of transportation in certain cases
102
Ventilation of tunnels
103
Lighting of tunnels
104
Compliance with orders of commissioner of transportation
105
Enforcement
106
Penalty for violation
107
Judgment-roll
108
Approval of appliances in cities having a population of one million inhabitants or over

Accessed:
Mar. 23, 2024

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 78’s source at nysenate​.gov

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