192.25 Railroad train crews.
(1) In this section:
(a) “Certified railroad locomotive engineer" means a person certified under 49 CFR 240 as a train service engineer, locomotive servicing engineer or student engineer.
(b) “Qualified railroad trainman" means a person who has successfully completed a railroad carrier's training program and passed an examination on railroad operation rules.
(2) No person operating or controlling any railroad, as defined in s. 85.01 (5), may allow the operation of any railroad train or locomotive in this state unless the railroad train or locomotive has a crew of at least 2 individuals. One of the individuals shall be a certified railroad locomotive engineer. The other individual shall be either a certified railroad locomotive engineer or a qualified railroad trainman. A certified railroad locomotive engineer shall operate the control locomotive at all times that the railroad train or locomotive is in motion. The other crew member may dismount the railroad train or locomotive when necessary to perform switching activities and other duties in the course of his or her job.
(3)
(a) The office, by rule, may grant an exception to sub. (2) if the office determines that the exception will not endanger the life or property of any person.
(b) Subsection (2) does not apply to the extent that it is contrary to or inconsistent with a regulation or order of the federal railroad administration.
(4) Any person who violates sub. (2) may be required to forfeit not less than $25 nor more than $100 for a first offense, not less than $100 nor more than $500 for a 2nd offense committed within 3 years, and not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 for a 3rd offense committed within 3 years.
History: 1997 a. 42.
This section is preempted by federal law except to the extent that sub. (2) prohibits over-the-road train operation unless there is a train crew of at least 2. However over-the-road operations may also be exempted by specific agreement between the Federal Railway Administration and an individual railroad. Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co. v. Doyle, 186 F.3d 790 (1999).
Structure Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 192 - Railroads; regulations and liabilities.
192.17 - Arrest of passenger; police power of conductors.
192.25 - Railroad train crews.
192.27 - Connecting tracks and switching.
192.29 - Train bells and crossing signs at street and highway crossings.
192.292 - Trains obstructing highways.
192.295 - Willful neglect of railroad employees.
192.31 - Telltales over railroads.
192.32 - Trespassing on railroad.
192.321 - Getting on and off cars.
192.324 - Railroad bridges to be safe for employees.
192.327 - Motor vehicles of railroads used to transport its employees.
192.33 - Fences, cattle guards, crossings.
192.34 - Fences; complaint of insufficient; hearing; order.
192.35 - Interference with fences; trespassers on track.
192.36 - Fences, occupant of land may build or repair.
192.37 - Fences, farm crossings; railroads to provide.
192.38 - Contracts not affected.
192.43 - Liability of carrier of passengers made absolute.
192.44 - Fires; railroad liability; action for damages.
192.47 - Railroad police; oath; powers.
192.52 - Terminals and shops, removal.
192.53 - Railroad track clearance.
192.54 - General penalty for this chapter.
192.55 - Special penalties for this chapter.
192.56 - Abandoning of railroad stations.
192.73 - Sale of abandoned rail property after release by state.