[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 4]

[Revised as of October 1, 2006]

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

[CITE: 49CFR231.3]



[Page 502-503]

 

                        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)).

    (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.



[[Page 503]]



    (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.