Form FRA F 6180.4c (Sample Car Inspection Checklist for Hopper Cars and High-side Gonolas with Fixed Ends)

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for:
Hopper cars and high-side gondolas with fixed ends - §231.2
(Cars with sides more than 36 inches above the floor are high-side cars)

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Railroad Administration

Inspector(s):

Inspection Location:

Builder:

Car Initials & Number:

Item
Hand
Brake

Brake
Step

Car Type:

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

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 One efficient handbrake which shall operate in harmony with the power brake installed on
the car.
G Each such handbrake shall provide the same degree of safety as the design shown on
plate A.
G Or provide the same degree of safety as that specified in 231.27.
G The brake shaft shall be not less than 1¼ inches in diameter, of wrought iron or steel
without weld.
G The brake wheel may be flat or dished, not less than 15 inches in diameter, of malleable
iron, wrought iron, or steel.
G Each handbrake shall be so located that it can be safely operated while car is in motion.
G The brake shaft shall be located on end of car to the left of, and not more than 22 inches
from center.
G There shall be not less than four inches clearance around rim of brake wheel.
G 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.
G 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
G 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

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.

FRA F 6180.4c

Page 1 of 6

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

Date:

Region:

Cars to be Built:

Builder Job #

CFR
Reference*

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

231.1(b)

231.1(b)(1)

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 1-½ 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 21inches 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 more than four inches from top of car. 5
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 6180.4c

Page 2 of 6

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)
231.2(d)(2)
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
Side
Handholds

Horizontal
End
Handholds

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

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.

G
G
G
G
G

231.1(h)(1)
231.1(h)(2)
231.1(h)(3)(i)

231.1(h)(4)

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.
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.
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.
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.

231.1(i)(1)

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.

231.1(j)(1)
231.1(j)(2)

G
G
G
G
G
G

G
✔
G

G
Vertical
End
Handholds

CFR
Reference*

G
G
G
G
G

FRA F 6180.4c

Page 3 of 6

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)

231.1(j)(3)(i)
231.1(j)(4)

Notes

Item
Uncoupling
Levers

End
Ladder
Clearance

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 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.

231.1(k)(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.

231.2(i)(1)

FRA F 6180.4c

Page 4 of 6

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)

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 (6 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
5 Variance allowed due to construction of car. Note exception on F6180.4.
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 6180.4c

Page 5 of 6

FRA F 6180.4c

Page 6 of 6