October Term 2021 · Docket 20-807
Does a parked locomotive count as in use under federal safety laws?
The dispute centers on whether a stationary locomotive qualifies as in use for strict liability purposes.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
the side that brought the case cited a 1904 case involving a motionless dining car.
the opposing side noted that a diesel engine weighs 400,000 pounds.
the opposing side argued that the engine must be rendered inoperable.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 49-37 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 49-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 27-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-51 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 31-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 37-49 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 37-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 53-21 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 53-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 33-47 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 33-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 45-43 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 45-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 21-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 21-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-7
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the definition of in use for locomotives. the side that brought the case argues a parked engine remains in use. the opposing side argues a parked engine is not in use.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 49-37 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 49-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 45-43 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 45-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-41
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 28, 2022.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 31-11
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the Court to hold that a parked locomotive is in use.
the opposing side wants the Court to hold that a parked locomotive is not in use.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 49-37 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 49-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 45-43 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 45-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-41
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues that a motionless locomotive serves functions that keep it in use.
the opposing side argues that a parked locomotive is not in use because it is not hauling goods.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 49-37 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 49-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 45-43 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 45-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-41
What the justices asked
Justice Kagan asked why the Court discusses the word use when the regulation does not use it.
Chief Justice Roberts asked if a car in a driveway is in use under similar logic.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 27-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-51 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 31-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 37-49 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 37-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 53-21 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 53-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 33-47 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 33-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 21-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 21-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-7
Why it matters
This case defines when rail equipment triggers strict liability. It determines worker safety standards for parked trains. It clarifies the scope of federal railroad safety laws.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 49-37 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 49-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 45-43 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 45-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-41
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 27-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-51 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 31-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 37-49 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 37-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 53-21 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 53-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 33-47 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 33-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 47-21 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 47-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 25-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 25-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 21-29 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 21-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 11-11 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 11-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 43-1 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 43-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 35-47 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 35-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-7
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 49-37 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 49-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 45-43 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 45-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 103, lines 49-37 — Transcript, file page 103, lines 49-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 45-43 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 45-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-41
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.