US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

49 U.S.C. § 20301

Definition and nonapplication

(a)

Definition .—

In this chapter, “vehicle” means a car, locomotive, tender, or similar vehicle.
(b)

Nonapplication .—

This chapter does not apply to the following:
(1)
a train of 4-wheel coal cars.
(2)
a train of 8-wheel standard logging cars if the height of each car from the top of the rail to the center of the coupling is not more than 25 inches.
(3)
a locomotive used in hauling a train referred to in clause (2) of this subsection when the locomotive and cars of the train are used only to transport logs.
(4)
a car, locomotive, or train used on a street railway.

Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e)108 Stat. 881Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(52)110 Stat. 3393(, , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Pub. L. 103–272

Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

20301(a)

45:8 (“trains, locomotives, tenders, cars, and similar vehicles”).

 

45:9 (3d sentence).

20301(b)

45:6 (1st sentence proviso).

Mar. 2, 1893, ch. 196, § 6 (1st sentence proviso), 27 Stat. 532; restated Apr. 1, 1896, ch. 87, 29 Stat. 85.

 

45:8 (words after 16th comma).

Mar. 2, 1903, ch. 976, § 1 (words after 23d comma), 32 Stat. 943.

Subsection (a) is added to avoid repeating the substance of the definition throughout this chapter.

ProvidedBaltimore & Ohio Railway CoJacksonIn subsection (b), the words before clause (1) are substituted for “, That nothing in sections 1 to 7 of this title shall apply to” in 45:6 because 45:9, 11, and 16 provide that 45:9 and 11–16 apply to the same vehicles and trains as 45:1–7 apply to. In clause (1), the word “coal” is added for clarity because of the decision of the Supreme Court in . v. , 353 U.S. 325, 333 (1957) and the legislative history of 45:6 (proviso). See 24 Cong. Rec. 1477 (1893). The text of 45:8 (words after last comma) is omitted as unnecessary because of the definition of “railroad” in section 20102 of the revised title.

Pub. L. 104–287

section 1 of the Act of July 5, 1994Public Law 103–272108 Stat. 881This amends 49:20301(b) to clarify the restatement of 45:8 by (, ).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 104–2871996—Subsec. (b)(4). added par. (4).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Pub. L. 104–287section 8(1) of Pub. L. 104–287section 5303 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .