[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR231.10]

[Page 412-415]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 231--RAILROAD SAFETY APPLIANCE STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 231.10  Caboose cars with platforms.

    Note: a. The term ``bottom of car'' as used in Sec. 231.10 is 
construed to mean ``bottom of side-sill or sheathing over side-sill.''
    b. The term ``corner of car'' as used in Sec. 231.10 is construed to 
mean the ``line at inner edge of platform formed by the intersection of 
the side and end of car.''

    (a) Hand brakes--(1) Number. (i) Each caboose car shall be equipped 
with an efficient hand brake which shall operate in harmony with the 
power brake thereon.

[[Page 413]]

    (ii) The hand brake may be of any efficient design, but must provide 
the same degree of safety as the design shown on plate A.
    (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 on caboose cars with platforms shall be located 
on platform 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) Running boards--(1) Number. One longitudinal running board.
    (2) Dimensions. Same as specified for ``Box and other house cars'' 
(see Sec. 231.1(c)(2)).
    (3) Location. (i) Full length of car, center of roof. (On caboose 
cars with cupolas, longitudinal running boards shall extend from cupola 
to ends of roof.)
    (ii) Outside - metal - roof - cars shall have latitudinal extensions 
leading to ladder locations.
    (4) Manner of application. Same as specified for ``Box and other 
house cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(c)(4)). See note below.
    (c) Ladders--(1) Number. Two.
    (2) Dimensions. None specified.
    (3) Location. One on each end.
    (4) Manner of application. Same as (see Sec. 231.1(e)(4)). See note 
below.
    (d) Roof handholds--(1) Number. One over each ladder. Where stiles 
of ladders extend 12 inches or more above roof, no other roof handholds 
are required.
    (2) Dimensions. Same as specified for ``Box and other house cars'' 
(see Sec. 231.1(g)(2)).
    (3) Location. (i) On roof of caboose in line with and running 
parallel to treads of ladder, not less than 8 nor more than 15 inches 
from edge of roof.
    (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(g)(4)). See note below.
    (e) Cupola handholds--(1) Number. One or more.
    (2) Dimensions. Minimum diameter, five-eighths of an inch, wrought 
iron or steel. Minimum clearance, 2, preferably 2\1/2\ inches.
    (3) Location. (i) One continuous handhold extending around top of 
cupola not more than 3 inches from edge of cupola roof.
    (ii) Four right-angle handholds, one at each corner, not less than 
16 inches in clear length from point of angle, may take the place of the 
one continuous handhold specified, if locations coincide.
    (iii) 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. Cupola handholds shall be securely 
fastened with not less than \1/2\-inch bolts with nuts outside and 
riveted over or with not less than \1/2\-inch rivets. See note below.
    (f) Side handholds--(1) Number. Four.
    (2) Dimensions. Minimum diameter, five-eighths of an inch, wrought 
iron or steel. Minimum clear length, 36 inches. Minimum clearance, 2, 
preferably 2\1/2\, inches.
    (3) Location. (i) One near each end on each side of car, curving 
downward toward center of car from a point not less than 30 inches above 
platform to a point not more than 8 inches from bottom of car. Top end 
of handhold shall be not more than 8 inches from outside face of end 
sheathing.
    (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

[[Page 414]]

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(h)(4)).
    (g) 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) Horizontal, one near each side on each end of car 
on face of platform end sill. Clearance of outer end of handhold shall 
be not more than 16 inches from end of platform end sill.
    (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)).
    (h) End-platform handholds--(1) Number. Four.
    (2) Dimensions. Minimum diameter, five-eighths of an inch, wrought 
iron or steel. Minimum clearance, 2, preferably 2\1/2\ inches.
    (3) Location. (i) One right-angle handhold on each side of each end 
extending horizontally from door post to corner of car at approximate 
height of platform rail, then downward to within 12 inches of bottom 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. Handholds shall be securely fastened with 
bolts, screws, or rivets.
    (i) Caboose-platform steps. Safe and suitable box steps leading to 
caboose platforms shall be provided at each corner of caboose. Lower 
tread of step shall be not more than 24 inches above top of rail.
    (j) Uncoupling levers. Same as specified for ``Box and other house 
cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(k)).

    Note: Running boards may be omitted from Caboose Cars with platforms 
built after June 1, 1970, when each of the following conditions have 
been met:
    (1) That ladders, roof handholds (including ladder extensions) and 
cupola handholds as specified in paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this 
Sec. 231.10 are also omitted.
    (2) That an appropriate notice be posted in protective manner or 
stenciled on interior of caboose stating ``operating employees are 
prohibited under all conditions from occupying the roof of this 
caboose.''
    (3) That a safe means must be provided to assure the safety of an 
operating employee when required to clean or maintain windows of a 
caboose without running boards.
    (4) That the following additional safety appliances as specified be 
securely installed at the outer edge of each platform:
    (a) Safety railing
    (i) Number:
Horizontal--Four (4), two (2) upper and two (2) lower.
Vertical--Four (4).
    (ii) Dimensions:
Minimum diameter--One (1) inch wrought iron, steel, or other material of 
equivalent strength.
Minimum clearance--Four (4), preferably six (6) inches except at brace 
and fastening locations.

    (iii) Location:
Vertical--One (1) at each corner of car extending from platform end sill 
to level of lower horizontal safety railing or to suitable bracket at 
roof.
Horizontal--Upper: Across each end of car near outer edge securely 
braced with vertical supports not less than 48 nor more than 54 inches 
above top of platform extending not less than full width of platform 
excluding hand brake stanchion area.
Horizontal--Lower: Across each end of car near outer edge securely 
braced with vertical supports not less than 36 nor more than 42 inches 
above top of platform excluding hand brake stanchion area. An opening 
may be provided near center. Such opening shall be provided with a 
secure safety chain(s) not less than \1/4\-inch diameter wrought iron, 
or steel, or other secure suitable closure.
    (iv) Manner of application:
Safety railing shall be securely fastened with \1/2\-inch bolts or 
rivets when possible and securely supported. A weld at connection of 
vertical and horizontal safety railing and vertical supports is 
permissible when those appliances are fabricated as a single unit.
    (b) Kick plates
    (i) Number: Four (4).

[[Page 415]]

    (ii) Dimensions:

Minimum thickness 10-gauge wrought iron, steel or other material of 
equivalent strength.
Width--Minimum 24 inches.
Height--Minimum 24 inches.

    (iii) Location: One near each side on each and. Outer edge not more 
than 12 inches from adjacent vertical safety railing with bottom edge 
near top of platform. Hand brake stand may serve as part of kick plate.
    (iv) Manner of application: Securely fastened by \1/2\-inch bolts or 
rivets, or weld.
    (v) Vertical hand rail supports spaced not more than eighteen (18) 
inches apart may be used in lieu of kick plates.
    (5) That stove pipe shall be secured to prevent turning.
    (6) That windows shall be laminated safety-type glass or equivalent.
    Existing caboose cars with platforms. Running boards may be removed 
from Caboose Cars with Platforms built or under construction on or 
before June 1, 1970, when each of the following conditions have been 
met:
    (1) That ladder treads above safety railing, roof handholds 
including ladder extensions, and cupola handholds specified in 
paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this Sec. 231.10 are removed.
    (2) That an appropriate notice be posted in protective manner or 
stenciled in interior of caboose stating ``operating employees are 
prohibited under all conditions from occupying the roof of this 
caboose.''
    (3) That a safe means must be provided to assure the safety of an 
operating employee when required to clean or maintain windows of a 
caboose without running boards.
    (4) That end platform safety railing and handhold arrangement will 
be deemed to meet requirements except as to upper safety railing and 
kick plates, when those appliances are not provided. When vertical 
supports are not more than twenty-four (24) inches apart, such supports 
may be used in lieu of kick plates.
    (5) That the following additional safety appliances (when not so 
provided) shall be securely installed at outer edge of each platform:
    (a) Safety railing.
    (i) Number:
Horizontal upper--Two (2).
    (ii) Dimensions:
Minimum diameter--One (1) inch wrought iron, steel, or other material of 
equivalent strength.
Minimum clearance--Four (4), preferably six (6) inches except at brace 
and fastening locations.
    (iii) Location:

Horizontal--Upper: Across each end of car near outer edge securely 
braced with vertical supports not less than 48 nor more than 54 inches 
above top of platform extending not less than full width of platform 
excluding hand brake stanchion area. Ladder tread not more than two (2) 
inches below level of upper safety railing may serve as a portion of 
said safety railing.

    (b) Kick plates or vertical supports--Same as provided for caboose 
cars with platforms built after June 1, 1970, this note. See above.
    (6) That stove pipe should be secured to prevent turning.
    (7) Cupola or bay windows shall be laminated safety-type glass or 
equivalent and all other caboose windows shall be so provided on or 
before June 1, 1975.

[33 FR 19663, Dec. 25, 1968, as amended at 35 FR 10149, June 20, 1970]