FRA F 6180.4l Sample Car Checklist for Box and Other House Cars withou

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for:
Box and Other House Cars without Roof Hatches - § 231.27
(Placed in Service after October 1, 1966)

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Railroad Administration

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)

One handbrake on end of car - ascertain the following:
G The handbrake may be of any efficient design, but must provide the same degree of
safety as, or a greater degree of safety than, the following;
G Each box or other house car without roof hatches shall be equipped with an efficient
vertical hand brake shall operate in harmony with power brake.
G The handbrake may be of any efficient design, but must provide a total braking force
applied to brake shoes not less than the total force applied to the brake shoes by the
brake cylinders at 50 pounds per square inch.
G The brake wheel may be deep or shallow, of malleable iron, wrought iron, steel, or other
material of equivalent strength.
G Overall diameter of brake wheel nominally 22 inches.
G Brake wheel and drum shall be arranged so that both will revolve when applying and
gradually releasing the handbrake. Handbrake shall be provided with means to prevent
application of the brake by winding in a counterclockwise direction.
G All hand brake chains shall be not less than 9/16 inch BBB coil chain. 1
G All handbrake rods shall be not less than ¾ inch diameter.
G The handbrake shall be so located that it can be safely operated from horizontal end
platform while car is in motion.
G 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.
G The brake shaft shall be located not less than 26 nor more than 40 inches above top of
end-platform tread.
G Brake wheel shall be held in position on brake shaft by a nut on a threaded extended end
of brake shaft; said thread portion shall be not less than ¾ of an inch in diameter; said nut
shall be secured by riveting over or by the use of a locknut or suitable cotter.
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 Handbrake housing shall be securely fastened to car.

FRA F 6180.4l

Page 1 of 6

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

Date:

Region:

Cars to be Built:

Builder Job #

CFR
Reference*
231.27(a)
231.27(a)(1)(i)
231.27(a)(1)(ii)
231.27(a)(2)(i)
231.27(a)(2)(ii)
231.27(a)(2)(iv)
231.27(a)(2)(vi)
231.27(a)(2)(vii)
231.27(a)(3)(i)
231.27(a)(3)(ii)

231.27(a)(4)(i)
231.27(a)(4)(ii)
231.27(a)(4)(iii)

Notes

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
End
Platforms

Sill
Steps

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

Two end platforms
Width not less than eight inches; length, not less than 60 inches.
Centered on each end of car.
Not more than eight inches above top of center sill.
Each end platform shall be securely supported by not less than three metal braces having
a minimum cross sectional area of d x 1½ inches or equivalent, which shall be securely
fastened to body of car with not less than ½ inch bolts or rivets.
G Where conventional draft gear or cushioning device having longitudinal travel less than
six inches is used the outside edge of each end platform shall be not less than 12 inches
from a vertical plane parallel with end of car and passing through the inside face of
knuckle when closed with coupler horn against buffer block. Where cushioning device
having longitudinal travel six inches or more is used the outside edge of each end
platform shall be not less than six inches from a vertical plane parallel with end of car and
passing through the inside face of knuckle when closed with end sill and cushioning
device at full buff. 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.

G
G
G
G
G

G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G

End Ladder
Clearance

Four sill steps
Minimum cross-sectional area ½ x 1½ 2 inches, or equivalent . 3
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 no 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.

G No part of car above end sills within 30 inches from side of car, except buffer block, brake
shaft, brake wheel, end platform, horizontal end handholds, 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 the coupler horn against the buffer block or
end sill and cushioning device (if used) at full buff, and no other part of end of car or
fixtures on same above end sill, other than exceptions herein noted, shall extend beyond
outer face of buffer block.

FRA F 6180.4l

Page 2 of 6

CFR
Reference*
231.27(b)(1)
231.27(b)(2)
231.27(b)(3)
231.27(b)(4)(i)
231.27(b)(4)(ii)

231.27(c)(1)
231.27(c)(2)
231.27(c)(3)(i)
231.27(c)(3)(ii)
231.27(c)(3)(iii)
231.27(c)(4)(i)
231.27(c)(4)(ii)
231.27(d)

Notes

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
Side
Handholds

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

G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G

End
Handholds

16 Side handholds.
Minimum diameter, e of an inch. 2
Minimum clear length, 16 inches.
Minimum clearance, two inches.
Horizontal; four near each end and on each side of car spaced not more than 19 inches
apart.
Bottom handhold shall be located not more than 21 inches from top tread of sill step.
Top handhold (applies only to top handhold), shall coincide in height with top end
handhold, a variation of two inches being allowed.
Spacing of side handholds shall be uniform within a limit of two inches from top handhold
to bottom handhold.
Clearance of outer ends of handholds shall be not more than eight inches from end of car.
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.
Each bottom handhold shall have foot guard or upward projection not less than two
inches in height near inside end.

16 End handholds.
Minimum diameter, e of an inch. 2
Minimum clear length, 16 inches.
Minimum clearance, two inches.
Horizontal; four near each side on each end of car spaced not more than 19 inches apart.
Bottom handhold shall be located not more than 21 inches from top tread of sill step.
Top handhold shall coincide in height with end platform handhold, a variation of two
inches being allowed.
G Clearance of outer ends of handholds shall be not more than eight inches from side of
car.
G 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 Each bottom handhold shall have foot guard or upward projection not less than two
inches in height near inside end.

G
G
G
G
G
G
G

FRA F 6180.4l

Page 3 of 6

CFR
Reference*
231.27(e)(1)
231.27(e)(2)
231.27(e)(3)

231.27(e)(4)

231.27(f)(1)
231.27(f)(2)(i)
231.27(f)(2)(ii)
231.27(f)(2)(iii)
231.27(f)(3)

231.27(f)(4)

Notes

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item
Horizontal
End
Platform
Handholds

Uncoupling
Levers

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

CFR
Reference*

G Two horizontal end-platform handholds
G Minimum diameter, e of an inch, wrought iron, steel, or other material of equivalent
strength. 2
G Minimum clearance two inches.
G Minimum clear length 60 inches. When security of attachment requires, an extra
supporting leg may be applied near center of clear length.
G One on each end of car above end platform.
G Outer legs shall be not more than six inches from inner legs of top end handholds.
G Height above tread of end platform: Not less than 48 nor more than 60 inches.
G End-platform 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.

231.27(g)(1)
231.27(g)(2)(i)

G Two uncoupling levers
G Handles of uncoupling levers, except those shown on Plate B or of similar designs, shall
be not more than six (6) 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.
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.
G 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.

231.27(h)(1)
231.27(h)(2)(i)

FRA F 6180.4l

Page 4 of 6

231.27(g)(2)(ii)
231.27(g)(2)(iii)
231.27(g)(3)
231.27(g)(4)

231.27(h)(2)(ii)
231.27(h)(2)(ii)(a)
231.27.(h)(2)(ii)(c)
231.27(h)(3)

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*

Notes

Modifications to:
Existing box and other house cars
without roof hatches

Existing box and other house cars without roof hatches - §231.27(i)
Note: Box and other house cars without roof hatches built on or before April 1, 1966, or under construction prior thereto and placed in service before
October 1, 1966, shall be deemed equipped as nearly as possible within the intent of §231.1 and of this section, except:

Painting and
Marking

G The running board, roof handholds over side and end ladders at "A'' end of car and ladder
treads above the fourth tread from bottom of side and end ladder at "A'' end are removed.
G One horizontal end-platform handhold is applied on each end of car as specified in this
section except the right hand end shall be not more than eight inches from side of car, or
where car end contour makes impractical the use of a single continuous end handhold,
there is applied the equivalent consisting of two handholds, the center handhold to be a
minimum of 30 inches in clear length and the handhold to the right to be a minimum of 19
inches in clear length and to extend to within eight inches of the right side of the car, such
handholds to be not more than 12 inches apart
G With handbrake operated near roof of car: a brake step shall be provided as specified in
§231.1 and lettering 1½ inches high shall be painted on a yellow background on side sill
near "B'' end of car with a ¾ inch black border containing the words "Keep Off Roof-No
Running Board,'' or with handbrake operated from approximate level of top of end sill: roof
handholds and side and end ladder treads above the fourth tread from the bottom of
ladders at "B'' end of car shall be removed and a brake step as specified by §231.1 shall
be used with top of tread surface being level with or not more than four inches below
adjacent end handhold.
G Bullet citing §231.27(i)(1)(ii) above, shall not apply to cars equipped with end platforms
and end platform handholds.

231.27(i)(1)(i)

Box and other house cars with roofs 16 feet and 10 inches or more above top of rail shall be
painted and marked as follows:
G That portion of each end of the car which is more than 15 feet above top of rail shall be
painted with contrasting reflectorized paint and bear the words "excess height car'' in
lettering not less than three inches high.
G On each side sill near end corner there shall be painted or otherwise displayed a yellow
rectangular area with a ¾ inch black border containing the words "this car excess height''
in lettering not less than 1½ inches high.

231.27(j)

FRA F 6180.4l

Page 5 of 6

231.27(i)(1)(ii)

231.27(i)(1)(iii)

231.27(i)(2)

231.27(j)(1)
231.27(j)(2)

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Item

(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 example, 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 6180.4l

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