Form FRA F 6180.4b (Sample Car Inspection Checklist for Box and Other House Cars Built After Oct. 1, 1966)

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Railroad Administration

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for:
Box and other house cars built or placed in service before October 1, 1966 - §231.1

Inspector(s):

Inspection Location:

Builder:

Car Initials & Number:

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
Hand
Brake

Car Type:

(All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically fastened per MP&E TB 98-14)

Date:

Region:

Cars to be Built:

Builder Job #

CFR
Reference*

Except for box and other house cars that comply with either 231.27 or 231.28, each box and other house car shall be equipped to
meet the following specifications:

G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G

One efficient handbrake which shall operate in harmony with the power brake installed on the car.
Each such handbrake shall provide the same degree of safety as the design shown on plate A.
Or provide the same degree of safety as that specified in 231.27.
The brake shaft shall be not less than 1¼ inches in diameter, of wrought iron or steel without weld.
The brake wheel may be flat or dished, not less than 15 inches in diameter, of malleable iron,
wrought iron, or steel.
The handbrake shall be so located that it can be safely operated while car is in motion.
The brake shaft shall be located on end of car, to the left of and not less than 17 nor more than 22
inches from center.
There shall be not less than four inches clearance around rim of brake wheel.
Outside edge of brake wheel shall be not less than four inches from 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.
Brake chain shall be of not less than d, preferably 7/16, inch wrought iron or steel, with a link on
the brake rod end of not less than 7/16 inch wrought iron or steel 1.
Brake wheel shall be held in position on brake shaft by a nut on a threaded extended end of brake
shaft; said threaded portion shall be not less than three-fourths of an inch in diameter; said nut shall
be secured by riveting over or by the use of a lock nut or suitable cotter.

231.1(a)(1)
231.1(a)(1)(i)
231.1(a)(1)(ii)
231.1(a)(2)(i)
231.1(a)(2)(ii)
231.1(a)(3)(i)
231.1(a)(3)(ii)
231.1(a)(4)(i)
231.1(a)(4)(ii)
231.1(a)(4)(vi)
231.1(a)(4)(xiii)

FRA F 6180.4b

Page 1 of 7

OMB No. 2130-0565
Rev. 06/24/2004

Notes

Item
Brake
Step

Running
Boards

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application
(All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically fastened per MP&E TB 98-14)

CFR
Reference*

G If brake step is used, it shall be not less than 28 inches in length.
G Outside edge shall be not less than eight inches from face of car and not less than four inches from
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.
G Brake step shall be supported by not less than two metal braces having a minimum cross-sectional
area d x 1½ inches or equivalent, which shall be securely fastened to body of car with not less than
½ inch bolts or rivets.

231.1(b)

G One longitudinal running board. On outside-metal-roof cars two latitudinal extensions.
G Longitudinal running board shall be not less than 18 and preferably 20 inches in width. Latitudinal
extensions shall be not less than 24 inches in width.
G Full length of car, center of roof. On outside-metal-roof cars there shall be two latitudinal
extensions from longitudinal running board to ladder locations, except on refrigerator cars where
such latitudinal extensions cannot be applied on account of ice hatches.
G Running board shall be continuous from end to end and not cut or hinged at any point: Provided,
that the length and width of running board may be made up of a number of pieces securely fastened
to saddle-blocks with screws, bolts, or rivets.
G The ends of longitudinal running board shall be not less than 6 nor more than 10 inches from 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 if more than 4 inches from edge of roof
of car, shall be securely supported their full width by substantial metal braces. (For running board
extensions, see MP&E TB 98-23)
G Running board shall be securely fastened to car and be made of wood or of material which provides
the same as or a greater degree of safety than wood of 1c inches thickness. When made of material
other than wood the tread surface shall be of anti-skid design and constructed with sufficient open
space to permit the elimination of snow and ice from the tread surface.

231.1(c)(1)
231.1(c)(2)

FRA F 6180.4b

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231.1(b)(1)

231.1(c)(3)
231.1(c)(4)(i)
231.1(c)(4)(ii)

231.1(c)(4)(iii)

Notes

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
Sill Steps

(All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically fastened per MP&E TB 98-14)

Four sill steps
Minimum cross-sectional area ½ x 1½ 2 inches, or equivalent 3, of wrought iron or steel.
Minimum length of tread, ten inches.
Minimum clear depth, eight inches 4.
One near each end of each side of car, so that there shall be not more than 18 inches from end of
car to center of tread of sill step.
Outside edge of tread of step shall be not more than four inches inside of face of side of car.
Tread shall be not more than 24, inches above the top of rail.
Sill steps exceeding 21 inches in depth shall have an additional tread.
Sill steps shall be securely fastened with not less than ½ inch bolts with nuts outside (when
possible) and riveted over, or with not less than ½ inch rivets.

231.1(d)(1)
231.1(d)(2)

G Four ladders
Minimum clear length of tread:
G Side ladders, 16 inches.
G End ladders, 14 inches.
G Maximum spacing between ladder treads 19 inches.
G Top ladder tread shall be located not less than 12 nor more than 18 inches from roof at eaves.
G Spacing of side ladder treads shall be uniform within a limit of two inches from top ladder tread to
bottom tread of ladder
G Maximum distance from bottom tread of side ladder to top tread of sill step, 21 inches.
G End ladder treads shall be spaced to coincide with treads of side ladders, a variation of two inches
being allowed. Where construction of car will not permit the application of a tread of end ladder to
coincide with bottom tread of side ladder, the bottom tread of end ladder must coincide with second
tread from bottom of side ladder.
G Iron or steel treads, minimum diameter e of an inch 2.
G Minimum clearance of treads, two inches.
G One on each side, not more than eight inches from right end of car; one on each end, not more than
eight inches from left side of car; measured from inside edge of ladder stile or clearance of ladder
treads to corner of car.
G Metal ladders without stiles near corners of cars shall have foot guards or upward projections not
less than two inches in height near inside end of bottom treads.
G Stiles of ladders, projecting two or more inches from face of car, will serve as foot guards.
G Ladders shall be securely fastened with not less than ½ inch bolts with nuts outside (when possible)
and riveted over, or with not less than ½ inch rivets.

231.1(e)(1)

G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G

Ladders

CFR
Reference*

FRA F 6180.4b

Page 3 of 7

231.1(d)(3)(i)
231.1(d)(3)(ii)
231.1(d)(3)(iii)
231.1(d)(4)(i)
231.1(d)(4)(ii)

231.1(e)(2)(i)
231.1(e)(2)(ii)
231.1(e)(2)(iii)
231.1(e)(2)(iv)
231.1(e)(2)(v)

231.1(e)(2)(vii)
231.1(e)(2)(viii)
231.1(e)(3)(i)
231.1(e)(4)(i)
231.1(e)(4)(ii)
231.1(e)(4)(iii)

Notes

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item

(All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically fastened per MP&E TB 98-14)

CFR
Reference*

End
Ladder
Clearance

G No part of car above end sills within 30 inches from side of car, except buffer block, brake shaft,
brake wheel, brake step, running board 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.

231.1(f)(1)

Roof
Handhold

G One over each ladder.
G One right-angle handhold may take the place of two adjacent specified roof handholds, provided
the dimensions and locations coincide, and that an extra leg is securely fastened to car at point of
angle.
G Minimum diameter, e of an inch, wrought iron or steel. Minimum clear length, 16 inches 2.
Minimum clearance, 2 inches.
G On roof of car, one parallel to treads of each ladder, not less than 8 nor more than 15 inches from
edge of roof, except on refrigerator cars where ice hatches prevent, when location may be nearer
edge of roof.
G Roof handholds shall be securely fastened with not less than ½ inch bolts with nuts outside (when
possible) and riveted over, or with not less than ½ inch rivets.

231.1(g)(1)(i)
231.1(g)(1)(ii)

Number ~ Four. (Tread of side ladder is a side handhold.)
Minimum diameter, e of an inch, wrought iron or steel 2 .
Minimum clear length, 16 inches
Minimum clearance, two inches.
Horizontal, one near each end on each side of car. Side handholds shall be not less than 24 nor
more than 30 inches above center line of coupler, except as provided above, where tread of ladder
is a handhold. Clearance of outer end of handhold shall be not more than eight inches from end of
car.
G Side handholds shall be securely fastened with not less than ½ inch bolts with nuts outside (when
possible) and riveted over, or with not less than ½ inch rivets.

231.1(h)(1)
231.1(h)(2)

Side
Handholds

G
G
G
G
G

FRA F 6180.4b

Page 4 of 7

231.1(g)(2)
231.1(g)(3)(i)
231.1(g)(4)

231.1(h)(3)(i)

231.1(h)(4)

Notes

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
Horizontal
End
Handholds

(All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically fastened per MP&E TB 98-14)

Eight or more, four on each end of car. (Tread of end ladder is an end handhold.)
Minimum diameter, e of an inch, wrought iron or steel 2.
Minimum clear length, 16 inches, preferably 24 inches.
A handhold 14 inches in length may be used where it is impossible to use one 16 inches in length.
Minimum clearance, two inches.
One near each side on each end of car, not less than 24 nor more than 30 inches above center line of
coupler, except as provided above, when tread of end ladder is an end handhold. Clearance of outer
end of handhold shall be not more than eight inches from side of car.
G One near each side of each end of car on face of end sill or sheathing over end sill, projecting
outward or downward. Clearance of outer end of handhold shall be not more than 16 inches from
side of car.
G On each end of cars with platform end sills 6 or more inches in width, measured from end post or
siding and extending entirely across end of car, there shall be one additional end handhold not less
than 24 inches in length, located near center of car, not less than 30 nor more than 60 inches above
platform end sill.
G Horizontal end handholds shall be securely fastened with not less than ½ inch bolts with nuts
outside (when possible) and riveted over, or with not less than ½ inch rivets.

G
G
G
G
G
G

CFR
Reference*
231.1(i)(1)
231.1(i)(2)(i)
231.1(i)(2)(ii)
231.1(i)(2)(iii)
231.1(i)(3)(i)

231.1(i)(3)(ii)
231.1(i)(3)(iii)

231.1(i)(4)
Vertical
End
Handholds

Two on full-width platform end-sill cars, as heretofore described.
Minimum diameter, e of an inch, wrought iron or steel 2.
Minimum clear length, 18 inches.
Minimum clearance, two inches.
One on each end of car opposite ladder, not more than eight inches from side of car; clearance of
bottom end of handhold shall be not less than 24 nor more than 30 inches above center line of
coupler.
G Vertical end handholds shall be securely fastened with not less than ½ inch bolts with nuts outside
(when possible) and riveted over, or with not less than ½ inch rivets.

G
G
G
G
G

FRA F 6180.4b

Page 5 of 7

231.1(j)(1)
231.1(j)(2)
231.1(j)(3)(i)
231.1(j)(4)

Notes

Item
Uncoupling
Levers

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application
(All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically fastened per MP&E TB 98-14)

G Two uncoupling levers.
G May be either single or double, and of any efficient design.
G Handles of uncoupling levers, except those shown on Plate B or of similar designs, shall be not
more than six inches from side of car. (Plate B is the primary application you will see)
G Uncoupling levers of design shown on plate B and of similar designs shall conform to the following
prescribed limits:
G Handles shall be not more than 12 inches from sides of car. Center lift arms shall be not less than 7
inches long.
G Center of eye at end of center lift arm shall be not more than 3 ½ inches beyond center of eye of
uncoupling pin of coupler when horn of coupler is against the buffer block or end sill. (See plate
B.)
G End of handles shall extend not less than four inches below bottom of end sill or shall be so
constructed as to give a minimum clearance of two inches around handle. Minimum drop of
handles shall be 12 inches; maximum, 15 inches overall (see Plate B).
G One on each end of car. When single lever is used, it shall be placed on left side of end of car.

CFR
Reference*
231.1(k)(1)
231.1(k)(2)(i)
231.1(k)(2)(ii)
231.1(k)(2)(iii)
231.1(k)(2)(iv)
231.1(k)(2)(v)
231.1(k)(3)

FRA F 6180.4b

Page 6 of 7

Notes

Item

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application
(All brackets used solely to support safety appliances are mechanically fastened per MP&E TB 98-14)

Other
CFR
Sections

G Inspect all components to ensure compliance with the regulations.
G Ensure all brake components are located so that an inspection can be safely conducted without an
inspector placing himself in a precarious or unsafe position, (TB MP&E 98-32).

Misc.

G Check for any sharp or protruding objects or areas on the equipment that may create a safety
concern or personal injury.
G Check for potential pinch points at all safety appliance arrangements.
G Check to ensure that all brackets used solely to support a safety appliance are mechanically
fastened. The use of weld on brackets is prohibited.
G Check to ensure compliance with all applicable federal regulations.
G Verify coupler height 31½ inch minimum, 34½ inch maximum.

Digital
Photos

CFR
Reference*

Notes

231.31(a)(1)

G General Arrangement Photo Sheet ~ No Deviations Noted (six photos minimum, A & B ends, each
corner at 45 degree angle)
G Deviation Photo Sheet ~ Deviations Noted: As many photos as necessary to fully depict, document
and illustrate CFR deviations (e.g. 215, 229, 231 & 232)

* The CFR reference sections noted throughout the check list refers to the actual regulatory requirement.
Footnotes:
1 TB MP&E 98-53 ...d inch alloy chain and ½ inch steel alloy chain currently being used by new car manufacturers exceed the specifications.
2 TB MP&E 98-18 Ladder treads, handholds of circular cross-section, 13/16 inch diameter and sill steps, e inch thick and 2 inches wide, when constructed of 6061-T6
aluminum alloy exceeds the current Federal Railroad Administration's requirements.
3 Equivalent must meet or exceed the cross sectional area the result of which may not be less than ¾ inch.
4 TB MP&E 98-13 Clear depth means a vertical space the width of, and above the sill step material or strap and should be clear and unobstructed for 8 inches
IMPORTANT NOTE: Equipment that is not adequately addressed in Part 231. For examples: There are no ladder requirements in §§231.29 or 231.30. However, if
additional safety appliances are used on any type of equipment, (i.e., §231.18 Cars of special construction), they must meet the dimension, location, and a manner of application
requirements. This logic holds true regardless of the equipment inspected. When applying §231.6 during a sample-car inspection on an auto rack, you will encounter components
not mentioned in that section such as ladders, stenciling, end ladder clearance, etc. These additional components must meet the appropriate requirements. If there is any doubt,
consult your regional specialist.
Pubic reporting burden for this information collection is estimated to average 60 minutes per response. This estimate includes the time for reviewing each page of the
checklist. According to the paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control
number. The valid OMB control number for this collection of information is 2130-0565.
FRA F 6180.4b

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