Technical Manual TM 4-14.21 Rail Safety provides authoritative safety information for rail operations conducted by United States (U.S.) Army rail operating personnel both within the United States and at overseas duty stations. It describes both general safety guidelines and procedural rules for conducting operations in a safe manner. It provides basic information for commanders and staffs of operating units and for staff officers of higher headquarters. This publication applies to a range of military operations and supports Army doctrine reference publication (ADRP) 3-0, Unified Land Operations, and Army doctrine publication (ADP) 4-0, Sustainment. The intent of this TM is to provide a baseline safety standard for all United States Army rail operations. The principal audience for TM 4-14.21 is all members of the profession of arms. Commanders and staffs of Army headquarters serving as joint task force or multinational headquarters should also refer to applicable joint or multinational doctrine concerning the range of military operations and joint or multinational forces. Trainers and educators throughout the Army will also use this publication. TM 4-14.21 applies to the Active Army, Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and United States Army Reserve unless otherwise stated. Throughout history the ability to move forces and cargo by rail has proven to be a valuable asset. The successful use of a railway system can dramatically reduce the logistical footprint and be a source of cost savings. Even a small train can move as much as a single Army truck company. It is a key mode of transportation to be used for throughput of cargo. However, rail operations are inherently dangerous. The rules, procedures, and guidelines found in this manual greatly mitigate these dangers. In an effort to meet current and future war time demands, the rail force structure of the past, comprised of four rail companies and one rail battalion, was transformed into the Expeditionary Railway Center (ERC), the only remaining rail organization in the Army. It is comprised of a headquarters and five separate, deployable railway planning and advisory teams. It is capable of conducting rail network capability and infrastructure assessments, rail safety assessments, and using these assessments to inform and advise the combatant commander on the employment of rail in a theater of operations. Additionally, the ERC is capable of partnering with host nation (HN) rail organizations and advising and assisting in the effective management of its railway system. These rules have been prepared in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration Regulations found in Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Part 214, and the General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR). TM 4-14.21 contains 7 chapters. Chapter 1, General Instructions, describes some over-arching safety protocols and an accident/incident overview including reporting procedures. Chapter 2, Railway Equipment Precautions, provides some safety guidelines for moving equipment, standing equipment, engines, and other specialty equipment and operations. Chapter 3, Railway Track and Yard Precautions, provides safety considerations specific to working on a railroad track itself, or within a rail yard. Chapter 4, Maintenance Precautions, discusses safety topics during the maintenance of rail equipment and track maintenance. Chapter 5, Loading and Unloading Precautions, introduces the safety rules specific to loading and unloading operations for all kinds of equipment, including precautions to be taken while working with cranes. Chapter 6, Fire Prevention and High Voltage Electrical Wire Precautions, discusses fire prevention, what to do in the case of an on-board train fire, and safety precautions while working around electrical power lines. Chapter 7, Wreck Train Precautions, covers the highly specialized, and especially dangerous mission of wreck train operations.