(a)
(2) Except for steam locomotives equipped as prescribed in § 231.16 of this part, all locomotives built prior to April 1, 1977, used in switching service after September 30, 1979, shall be equipped as provided in this section. Each carrier shall so equip forty percent (40 percent) of such locomotives by October 1, 1977, seventy percent (70 percent) by October 1, 1978, and all such locomotives by October 1, 1979.
(3) Locomotives without corner stairway openings may not be used to perform any switching service after September 30, 1979 except passenger car switching service at passenger stations.
(b)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(c)
(2)
(i) On locomotives built after March 31, 1977, a minimum width of twenty-four (24) inches and a minimum depth of twelve (12) inches, except when necessary to accommodate the turning arc of a six-wheel truck and its appurtenances, the inside edge of the switching step shall have a minimum width of seventeen (17) inches (See Plate B);
(ii) On locomotives built prior to April 1, 1977, a minimum width of eighteen (18) inches, and a minimum depth of eight (8) inches;
(iii) A backstop, solid or perforated, with minimum height of backstop of six (6) inches above the safety tread surface; and
(iv) A height of not more than nineteen (19) inches, preferably fifteen (15) inches, measured from top of rail to the safety tread surface.
(3)
(4)
(ii) Vertical clearance must be unobstructed, except for minor intrusions created by mechanical fasteners or a small triangular gusset plate at the platform level walkway, and free for use for at least a distance of eighty-four (84) inches over a portion of the switching step that is not less than seven (7) inches deep by eighteen (18) inches wide on locomotives built prior to April 1, 1977, and of not less than seven (7) inches deep by twenty-four (24) inches wide on locomotives built after March 31, 1977.
(5)
(ii) When the step material creates a second level safety tread surface, the maximum difference in surface levels may not exceed three-eighths (
(iii) The safety tread surface must extend to within one-half (
(6)
(d)
(2) Except for steam locomotives equipped as provided in § 231.16, locomotives used in switching service built before April 1, 1975, may not be equipped with end footboards or pilot steps after September 30, 1978. Whenever end footboards or pilot steps are removed from a locomotive, the uncoupling mechanism and horizontal end handholds of the locomotive must be modified to comply with paragraphs (f) and (g) of this section.
(e)
(1) On locomotives built after March 31, 1977, each vertical handhold must—
(i) Be constructed of wrought iron, steel or other material of equivalent strength and durability that is at least one (1) inch diameter and be securely fastened to the locomotive with one-half (
(ii) Begin not less than six (6) inches nor more than thirty-two (32) inches
(iii) Extend upward from switching step surface at least forty-eight (48) inches;
(iv) Be painted in a contrasting color to a height of at least forty-eight (48) inches above the safety tread surface of the switching step; and
(v) Provide at least two and one-half (2
(2) On locomotives built before April 1, 1977, each vertical handhold must—
(i) Be constructed of wrought iron, steel or other material of equivalent strength and durability that is at least seven-eighths (
(ii) Begin not less than five (5) inches nor more than thirty-two (32) inches above the safety tread surface; on units with high snowplows, each must begin not more than thirty-six (36) inches above the safety tread surface;
(iii) Extend upward from safety tread surface of the switching step at least forty-eight (48) inches;
(iv) Be painted in a contrasting color to a height of at least forty-eight (48) inches above the safety tread surface of the switching step; and
(v) Provide at least two and one-half (2
(f)
(g)
(1) Each horizontal end handhold must—
(i) Be constructed of wrought iron, steel or other material of equivalent strength and durability that is at least five-eighths (
(ii) Be located not less than thirty (30) inches nor more than fifty (50) inches above the top of rail with its outer end not more than 16 inches from the side of the locomotive; on units with a high snowplow that makes normal end handhold location inaccessible, end handhold shall be located on top of plow blade, with the center of the handhold not more than fifty-three (53) inches above the top of rail, and be in line with the slope of the plow blade;
(iii) Be at least fourteen (14) inches long; and
(iv) Provide at least two (2) inches, preferably two and one-half (2
(2) An uncoupling lever may also serve as a horizontal end handhold if it complies with the requirements of this paragraph. When an uncoupling lever also serves as the horizontal end handhold, it is considered to be securely fastened if its securement brackets are attached to the locomotive by one-half (