[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 4]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR231.2]



[Page 488]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 

                             TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 231_RAILROAD SAFETY APPLIANCE STANDARDS--Table of Contents

 

Sec. 231.2  Hopper cars and high-side gondolas with fixed ends.



    (Cars with sides more than 36 inches above the floor are high-side 

cars.)

    (a) Hand brakes--(1) Number. Same as specified for ``Box and other 

house cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(a)(1)).

    (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, 

and not more than 22 inches from, 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.

    (iv) Carriers are not required to change the location of brake 

wheels and brake shafts 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(a)(4)).

    (b) Brake step. Same as specified for ``Box and other house cars'' 

(see Sec. 231.1 (b)).

    (c) Sill steps. Same as specified for ``Box and other house cars'' 

(see Sec. 231.1(d)).

    (d) Ladders--(1) Number. Same as specified for ``Box and other house 

cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(e)(1)).

    (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. Same as specified for ``Box and other house cars'' 

(see Sec. 231.1(e)(3)).

    (4) Manner of application. Same as specified for ``Box and other 

house cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(e)(4)).

    (e) Side handholds. Same as specified for ``Box and other house 

cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(h)).

    (f) Horizontal end handholds. Same as specified for ``Box and other 

house cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(i)).

    (g) Vertical end handholds. Same as specified for ``Box and other 

house cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(j)).

    (h) Uncoupling levers. Same as specified for ``Box and other house 

cars'' (see Sec. 231.1(k)).

    (i) 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, brake step, 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 herein noted, shall extend beyond 

the outer face of 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.