[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR231.3]

[Page 390-391]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 231--RAILROAD SAFETY APPLIANCE STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 231.3  Drop-end high-side gondola cars.

    (a) Hand brakes--(1) Number. Same as specified for ``Box and other 
house cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(a)(1)).

[[Page 391]]

    (2) Dimensions. Same as specified for ``Box and other house cars'' 
(see Sec. 231.1(a)(2)).
    (3) Location. (i) Each hand brake shall be so located that it can be 
safely operated while car is in motion.
    (ii) The brake shaft shall be located on end of car to the left of 
center.
    (iii) Carriers are not required to change the brakes from right to 
left side on steel or steel-underframe cars with platform end sills, in 
service July 1, 1911, except when such appliances are renewed, at which 
time they must be made to comply with the standards prescribed.
    (4) Manner of application. Same as specified for ``Box and other 
house cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(a)(4)).
    (b) Sill steps. Same as specified for ``Box and other house cars'' 
(see Sec. 231.1(d)).
    (c) Ladders--(1) Number. Two.
    (2) Dimensions. Same as specified for ``Box and other house cars'' 
(see Sec. 231.1(e)(2)), except that top ladder tread shall be located 
not more than 4 inches from top of car.
    (3) Location. (i) One on each side, not more than 8 inches from 
right end of car, measured from inside edge of ladder stile or clearance 
of ladder treads to corner of car.
    (ii) Carriers are not required to change the location of ladders on 
cars in service July 1, 1911, where the appliances are within 3 inches 
of the required location, except that when cars undergo regular repairs 
they must then be made to comply with the standards prescribed.
    (4) Manner of application. Same as specified for ``Box and other 
house cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(e)(4)).
    (d) Side handholds. Same as specified for ``Box and other house 
cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(h)).
    (e) Horizontal end handholds--(1) Number. Four.
    (2) Dimensions. Same as specified for ``Box and other house cars'' 
(see Sec. 231.1(i)(2)).
    (3) Location. (i) One near each side of each end of car on face of 
end sill. Clearance of outer end of handhold shall be not more than 16 
inches from side of car.
    (ii) Carriers are not required to change the location of handholds 
on cars in service July 1, 1911, except end handholds under end sills, 
where the appliances are within 3 inches of the required location, 
except that when cars undergo regular repairs they must then be made to 
comply with the standards prescribed.
    (4) Manner of application. Same as specified for ``Box and other 
house cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(i)(4)).
    (f) Uncoupling levers. Same as specified for ``Box and other house 
cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(k)).
    (g) End ladder clearance. (1) No part of car above end sills within 
30 inches from side of car, except buffer block, brake shaft, brake 
wheel or uncoupling lever shall extend to within 12 inches of a vertical 
plane parallel with end of car and passing through the inside face of 
knuckle when closed with coupler horn against the buffer block or end 
sill, and no other part of end of car or fixtures on same above end 
sills, other than exceptions noted in this subparagraph, shall extend 
beyond the outer face or buffer block.
    (2) Carriers are not required to make changes to secure additional 
end-ladder clearance on cars in service July 1, 1911, that have 10 or 
more inches end-ladder clearance, within 30 inches of side of car, until 
car is shopped for work amounting to practically rebuilding body of car, 
at which time they must be made to comply with the standards prescribed.