[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: 49CFR231.15]

[Page 419-420]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 231--RAILROAD SAFETY APPLIANCE STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 231.15  Steam locomotives used in road service.

    (a) Tender till-steps--(1) Number. Four on tender.
    (2) Dimensions. (i) Bottom tread not less than 8 by 12 inches, 
metal. (May have wooden treads.)
    (ii) If stirrup steps are used, clear length of tread shall be not 
less than 10, preferably 12, inches.

[[Page 420]]

    (3) Location. One near each corner of tender on sides.
    (4) Manner of application. Tender sill-steps shall be securely 
fastened with bolts or rivets.
    (b) Pilot sill-steps--(1) Number. Two.
    (2) Dimensions. Tread not less than 8 inches in width by 10 inches 
in length, metal. (May have wooden treads.)
    (3) Location. One on or near each end of buffer-beam outside of rail 
and not more than 16 inches above rail.
    (4) Manner of application. Pilot sill-steps shall be securely 
fastened with bolts or rivets.
    (c) Pilot-beam handholds--(1) Number. Two.
    (2) Dimensions. Minimum diameter, five-eighths of an inch, wrought 
iron or steel. Minimum clear length, 14, preferably 16, inches. Minimum 
clearance, 2\1/2\ inches.
    (3) Location. One on each end of buffer-beam. If uncoupling lever 
extends across front end of locomotive to within 8 inches of end of 
buffer-beam, and is seven-eighths of an inch or more in diameter, 
securely fastened, with a clearance of 2\1/2\ inches, it is a handhold.)
    (4) Manner of application. Pilot-beam handholds shall be securely 
fastened with bolts or rivets.
    (d) Side handholds--(1) Number. Six.
    (2) Dimensions. Minimum diameter, if horizontal, five-eighths of an 
inch; if vertical, seven-eighths of an inch, wrought iron or steel. 
Horizontal, minimum clear length, 16 inches. Vertical, clear length 
equal to approximate height of tank. Minimum clearance, 2, preferably 
2\1/2\, inches.
    (3) Location. (i) Horizontal or vertical. If vertical, one on each 
side of tender within 6 inches of rear or on corner; if horizontal, same 
as specified for ``Box and other house cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(h)(3)).
    (ii) One on each side of tender near gangway; 1 on each side of 
locomotive at gangway; applied vertically.
    (4) Manner of application. Side handholds shall be securely fastened 
with not less than \1/2\-inch bolts or rivets.
    (e) Rear-end handholds--(1) Number. Two.
    (2) Dimensions. Minimum diameter, five-eighths of an inch, wrought 
iron or steel. Minimum clear length, 14 inches. Minimum clearance, 2, 
preferably 2\1/2\, inches.
    (3) Location. Horizontal, one near each side of rear end of tender 
on face of end sill. Clearance of outer end of handhold shall be not 
more than 16 inches from side of tender.
    (4) Manner of application. Rear-end handholds shall be securely 
fastened with not less than \1/2\-inch bolts or rivets.
    (f) Uncoupling levers--(1) Number. Two double levers, operative from 
either side.
    (2) Dimensions. Rear-end levers shall extend across end of tender 
with handles not more than 12, preferably 9, inches from side of tender 
with a guard bent on handle to give not less than 2 inches clearance 
around handle.
    (3) Location. One on rear end of tender and one on front end of 
locomotive. Handles of front-end leavers shall be not more than 12, 
preferably 9, inches from ends of buffer-beam, and shall be so 
constructed as to give a minimum clearance of 2 inches around handle.
    (4) Manner of application. Uncoupling levers shall be securely 
fastened with bolts or rivets.
    (g) Couplers. Locomotives shall be equipped with automatic couplers 
at rear of tender and front of locomotive.