Single Car Air Brake Test (SCABT)

Railroad Terminology
A Single Car Air Brake Test (SCABT), is a federally-mandated (49 CFR 232.305) procedure for testing air brake valves and related systems for proper operation in accordance with AAR MSRP  Section E, Standard S-468. Single Car Air Brake Tests are required to be performed by a qualified person:
  • No less than every 5 years, or 8 years after car was built or rebuilt.
  • When car is on shop or repair track it has been more than 12 months since the previous SCABT
  • When car is removed from a train with brakes cut-out or inoperative
  • Any time certain air brake components are replaced, including: brake reservoir, control valve mounting gasket, pipe bracket stud,service portion,emergency portion,or a pipe bracket.
  • Any time a wheel is found with wheel tread built-up or slid-flat, unless known to have been caused by a hand brake left applied.
  • Any time a wheel is found with thermal cracks
  • On every car built new or rebuilt, before car is placed into service.