[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR231.16]

[Page 460-461]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 231_RAILROAD SAFETY APPLIANCE STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 231.16  Steam locomotives used in switching service.

    (a) Footboards--(1) Number. Two or more.
    (2) Dimensions. (i) Minimum width of tread, 10 inches.
    (ii) Minimum height of back stop, 4 inches above tread.
    (iii) Height from top of rail to top of tread, not more than 12 nor 
less than 9 inches.
    (iv) If made of wood, minimum thickness of tread shall be 1\1/2\, 
preferably 2 inches.
    (v) Footboards may be made of material other than wood which 
provides the same as or a greater degree of safety than wood of 1\1/2\ 
inches thickness. When made of material other than wood, the tread 
surface shall be of antiskid design and constructed with sufficient open 
space to permit the elimination of snow and ice from the tread surface.
    (3) Location. Ends or sides. If on ends, they shall extend not less 
than 18 inches outside of guage of straight track, and shall be not more 
than 12 inches shorter than buffer-beam at each end.
    (4) Manner of application. (i) End footboards may be constructed in 
two sections, provided that practically all space on each side of 
coupler is filled; each section shall be not less than 3 feet in length.
    (ii) Footboards shall be securely bolted to two 1- by 4-inch metal 
brackets, provided footboard is not cut or notched at any point.
    (iii) If footboard is cut or notched or in two sections, not less 
than four 1- by 3-inch metal brackets shall be used, two located on each 
side of coupler. Each bracket shall be securely bolted to buffer-beam, 
end sill or tank frame by not less than two \7/8\-inch bolts.
    (iv) If side footboards are used, a substantial handhold or rail 
shall be applied not less than 30 inches nor more than 60 inches above 
tread or footboard.
    (b) Sill steps--(1) Number. Two or more.
    (2) Dimensions. (i) Lower tread of step shall be 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.
    (3) Location. One or more on each side at gangway secured to 
locomotive or tender.
    (4) Manner of application. Sill steps shall be securely fastened 
with bolts or rivets.
    (c) End handholds--(1) Number. Two.
    (2) Dimensions. Minimum diameter, 1 inch, wrought iron or steel. 
Minimum clearance, 4 inches, except at coupler casting or braces when 
minimum clearance shall be 2 inches.
    (3) Location. One on pilot, buffer-beam; one on rear end of tender, 
extending across front end of locomotive and rear end of tender. Ends of 
handholds shall be not more than 6 inches from ends of buffer-beam or 
end sill, securely fastened at ends.
    (4) Manner of application. End handholds shall be securely fastened 
with bolts or rivets.
    (d) Side handholds--(1) Number. Four.
    (2) Dimensions. Minimum diameter, seven-eighths of an inch, wrought 
iron or steel. Clear length equal to approximate height of tank. Minimum 
clearance, 2, preferably 2\1/2\ inches.
    (3) Location. Vertical. One on each side of tender near front 
corner; one on each side of locomotive at gangway.
    (4) Manner of application. Side handholds shall be securely fastened 
with bolts or rivets.
    (e) Uncoupling levers--(1) Number. Two double levers, operative from 
either side.
    (2) Dimensions. (i) Handles of front-end levers 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.
    (ii) 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.

[[Page 461]]

    (3) Location. One on rear end of tender and one on front end of 
locomotive.
    (f) Handrails and steps for headlights. Switching locomotives with 
sloping tenders with manhole or headlight located on sloping portion of 
tender shall be equipped with secure steps and handrail or with platform 
and handrail leading to such manhole or headlight.
    (g) End-ladder clearance. No part of locomotive or tender except 
draft rigging, coupler and attachments, safety chains, buffer block, 
footboard, brake pipe, signal pipe, steam-heat pipe or arms of 
uncoupling lever shall extend to within 14 inches of a vertical plane 
passing through the inside face of knuckle when closed with horn of 
coupler against buffer block or end sill.
    (h) Couplers. Locomotives shall be equipped with automatic couplers 
at rear of tender and front of locomotive.