Is the sliding threshold a component or a subcomponent of a rail car?
Typical components of rail cars and buses are listed in the Appendix to 49 CFR 661.11. According to the regulation, a railcar door system contains multiple components including the door panels, door actuators, and door controls. This list is not conclusive and illustrates the nature and type of items that Congress intended to be considered components. A component is defined as an article, material, or supply (manufactured or unmanufactured) that is directly incorporated into the end product, while a subcomponent is one step removed from a component in the manufacturing process and is incorporated directly into a component (49 C.F.R. 661.11). The sliding threshold is a movable piece mounted, in part, on the passenger access door panel. In order to facilitate the purpose of both high and low platform loading, the threshold must be functionally independent part of the door and the vehicle. Also, in order to serve its function, it should have controls separate from the door controls in ord
