FRA F 6180.161O Sample Car Inspection Checklist for S-2044 Appendix F-3:

Expires xx/xx/xxxx

OMB No. 2130-0565

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  US Department of Transportation
   Federal Railroad Administration 
Inspector(s): 
Builder: 
ITEM 
Hand Brake

Location  

FRA F 6180.161 O (09/20)

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for S‐2044 Appendix F3   
   Safety Appliances for Cars with Recessed Car Body Ends 

Inspection Location: 
Car Initial and Number:  
 Car Type:  

Date:   
  No. of cars to be Built:

Number ‐ Dimensions ‐ Location ‐ Manner of Application       

Appendix Reference

Each car shall have at least one AAR-approved vertical-wheel hand brake that complies with
MSRP Section E, Standard S-475 and that operates in harmony with the power brake
equipment on the car. Total braking force applied to the brake shoes by the hand brake shall
comply with the requirements of MSRP Section E, Standard S-401, but in any event shall be not
less than that developed by 50 psi brake cylinder pressure. The hand brake wheel and chain
drum of vertical-wheel hand brakes shall be arranged so that both will revolve when applying
and gradually releasing the hand brake. The hand brake shall be provided with means to
prevent application of the brake by turning the brake wheel in a counter-clockwise direction.

Appendix F3, 2.1.1 

The brake wheel shall have a nominal diameter of 22 in. The brake wheel shall be of shallow
configuration and shall be of steel or other material of equivalent strength.

Appendix F3, 2.1.2   

The hub of the hand brake wheel shall be 2 5/8 in. deep with a square tapered fit to the shaft.
The taper on the brake wheel hub and shaft shall be 1 in. in 12 in. on each side, or 2 in. in 12 in.
total, with the small end of the shaft opening 7/8 in. square. The brake wheel shall be secured
to the brake shaft with an American National Standard 7/8-9 heavy hex nut and 3/16 in. × 1
1/2 in. cotter, or their equivalent.

Appendix F3, 2.1.3 

The hand brake shall be located outboard of the end sill such that it can be safely operated
from the car while the car is in motion and safely operated from the ground while the car is
stationary. The hand brake shall be applied at the B end of the car.

Appendix F3, 2.2.1 

The center of the hand brake shaft shall be located in the transverse direction not less than 12
in., nor more than 22 in., from the inside surface of the nearest side handhold at the left side
of the car and shall be not less than 26 in. above the lowest sill step tread nor more than 46 in.
above the highest sill step tread. In addition, the center of the hand brake shaft shall be not
more than 65 in. above the top of rail.

Appendix F3, 2.2.2

The outside face of the hand brake wheel shall be no more than 36 in. in the longitudinal
direction from the outside surface of the inboard vertical side handhold. The outside face of
the hand brake wheel shall be not more than 16 in. in the longitudinal direction from the inside
surface of the outboard vertical leg of the sill step and shall not extend more than 8 in. beyond
the striker or end of the center sill, whichever extends farther.

Appendix F3, 2.2.3 

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 O

Region: 
Builder Job No. 

Notes   

Expires xx/xx/xxxx

OMB No. 2130-0565

 US Department of Transportation
   Federal Railroad Administration 
ITEM 

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for: S‐2044 Appendix F3   
   Safety Appliances for Cars with Recessed Car Body Ends  

Number ‐ Dimensions ‐ Location ‐ Manner of Application        

Appendix Reference  

Clearance around the rim of the hand brake wheel shall be not less than 4 in. Clearance
between the grip portion of the release lever, if used, throughout its range of travel and any
part of the car shall be not less than 2 1/2 in.

Appendix F3, 2.2.4   

If the hand brake application is such that the requirements of paragraph 2.2.4 can be met
only with hand brakes having short hand brake release levers or only with long release levers,
but not both, the car shall be marked adjacent to the hand brake in 1 1/2 in. high letters
“SHORT (LONG) RELEASE LEVER BRAKE ONLY.

Appendix F3, 2.2.5  

The hand brake housing shall be securely fastened. The hand brake application, including bolt
hole pattern, shall conform to MSRP Section E, Standard S-475.

Appendix F3, 2.3.1 

The hand brake chain shall conform to the requirements of S-475, but in any event shall have
minimum working load of 5,875 lb and minimum proof test of 11,750 lb.

Appendix F3, 2.3.2  

Hand brake rods shall be not less than 3/4 in. diameter.

Appendix F3, 2.3.3 

Sill Steps  

There shall be four sill steps.

Appendix F3, 3.1 

Dimensions 

Sill steps shall conform to the requirements of Standard S-2042. Minimum usable length of
tread shall be 14 in.

Appendix F3, 3.2.1  

Sill steps shall be of steel not less than 1/2 in. thick, shall be not less than 4 in. wide, and shall
be provided with a slip-resistant surface.

Appendix F3, 3.2.2 

Sill steps shall have sufficient treads such that the top tread is not more than 21 in. below the
lowest adjacent horizontal side handhold, if the car is so equipped. If there are no horizontal
handholds, sill steps shall have sufficient treads such that the top tread is not more than 21
in. below the walking surface of the adjacent running board, if the car is equipped with an
adjacent running board, and not more than 21 in. below the deck of the car. Sill step treads
shall be spaced not more than 21 in. apart.

Appendix F3, 3.2.3 

The clear depth above the entire usable length of all sill step treads shall be not less than 8
in., and the clear width of the lowest sill step tread shall be not less than 6 in. for both loaded
and empty conditions with the trucks rotated to simulate the maximum curvature specified
for the uncoupled car.

Appendix F3, 3.2.4 

Manner of Application   

FRA F 6180.161 O (09/20)

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 O

Notes   

Expires xx/xx/xxxx

OMB No. 2130-0565

  US Department of Transportation
   Federal Railroad Administration 
ITEM 

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for: S‐2044 Appendix F3   
   Safety Appliances for Cars with Recessed Car Body Ends  

Number ‐ Dimensions ‐ Location ‐ Manner of Application        

Appendix Reference  

One sill step shall be applied near each end of each side of the car. The sill steps shall be located
in the longitudinal direction such that the inside face of neither vertical leg of the sill step
extends more than 2 in. into the space between the vertical side handholds or the space
between the vertical handhold supports, whichever space is smaller.

Appendix F3, 3.3.1 

In the transverse direction, the outside edge of any sill step tread shall be not more than 6 in.
inboard or outboard of the inside surface of the adjacent side handholds. In addition, the outside
edge of any sill step tread shall be no more than 4 in. inboard of any car structure below the
transverse end running board or car deck in the area between the side handholds. With the
exception of the side handholds, no part of the car below 66 in. above the top of the rail shall
extend farther than 6 in. outboard of the outboard edge of the lowest sill step tread.

Appendix F3, 3.3.2 

The lowest tread shall be not more than 24 in., preferably not more than 22 in., above the top of
rail.

Appendix F3, 3.3.3 

Manner of Application  

Sill steps shall be securely fastened.

Appendix F3, 3.4  

 Side Handholds 

There shall be not less than eight side handholds, two at each corner.

Appendix F3, 4.1 

Dimensions   

Handholds shall be of steel not less than 3/4 in. diameter or pipe of 1 1/4 in. nominal pipe size
with Schedule 40 minimum wall thickness. Handhold material shall conform to the requirements
of Standard S-224. Minimum clear length shall be 16 in. Minimum clearance shall be 2 in.,
preferably 2 1/2 in.

Appendix F3, 4.2.1 

Vertical side handholds shall have an uninterrupted span between the upper and lower clearance
points.

Appendix F3, 4.2.2 

Horizontal side handholds below the car deck or adjacent running board, if applied, shall have
foot guards or upward projections not less than 2 in. in height at both ends.

Appendix F3, 4.2.3 

Two vertical handholds, one at either end of each sill step, shall be applied.

Appendix F3, 4.3.1 

The inside surface of the outboard vertical handhold shall be not more than 14 in. from the
inside surface of the nearest end handhold in the longitudinal direction. At corners of the car
where a hand brake is located, the 14 in. limit shall be measured to the end handhold at the
opposite side of the car from the hand brake. The clear opening between the surfaces of the
vertical handholds and their supports shall be not less than 18 in. The width over the outside
surfaces of the vertical handholds shall be not more than 30 in.

Appendix F3, 4.3.2 

Location 

Location  

FRA F 6180.161 O (09/20)

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 O

Notes   

Expires xx/xx/xxxx

OMB No. 2130-0565

  US Department of Transportation
   Federal Railroad Administration 
ITEM 

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for: S‐2044 Appendix F3   
   Safety Appliances for Cars with Recessed Car Body Ends

Number ‐ Dimensions ‐ Location ‐ Manner of Application        

Appendix Reference  

The clearance points of the bottom end of the vertical handholds shall be not more than 42
in. above the top of rail, and the clearance points of the top end shall be not less than 33 in.
above the car deck or the walking surface of the adjacent running board, if the car is so
equipped.

Appendix F3, 4.3.3 

Spacing between horizontal side handholds, if applied, shall be not more than 19 in. Spacing
from the highest horizontal side handhold to the adjacent walking surface of the running
board, if so equipped, shall be not more than 19 in. If not equipped with an adjacent running
board, spacing from the highest horizontal side handhold to the car deck shall be not more
than 19 in.

Appendix F3, 4.3.4 

If car is equipped with horizontal side handholds, the outboard clearance points of the
handholds shall be not more than 2 in. inboard of the inside surface of the outboard vertical
leg of the sill step, and the inboard clearance points of the handholds shall be not more than
2 in. outboard of the inside surface of the inboard vertical leg of the sill step.

Appendix F3, 4.3.5  

The vertical legs of safety railings that comply with the requirements of paragraphs 4.2.1
through 4.3.3 shall be considered vertical side handholds.

 Appendix F3, 4.3.6 

Manner of Application  

Side handholds shall be securely fastened.

Appendix F3, 4.4 

End Handholds

There shall be four end handholds.

Appendix F3, 5.1 

Dimensions

Handholds shall be of steel not less than 3/4 in. diameter and shall conform to the
requirements of Standard S-224. Minimum clear length shall be 16 in. Minimum clearance
shall be 2 in., preferably 2 1/2 in.

Appendix F3, 5.2 

Location 

The end handholds shall be oriented horizontally, one near each side of each end of the car
on the face of the end sill.

Appendix F3, 5.3.1 

The clearance points of the outer end of the end handholds shall be not more than 16 in.
from the inside surface of the nearest side handhold.

Appendix F3, 5.3.2 

FRA F 6180.161 O (09/20)

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 O

Notes   

Expires xx/xx/xxxx

OMB No. 2130-0565

  US Department of Transportation
   Federal Railroad Administration 

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for: S‐2044 Appendix F3 
   Safety Appliances for Cars with Recessed Car Body Ends  

Number ‐ Dimensions ‐ Location ‐ Manner of Application        

Appendix Reference  

Unless protected by a guard around the chain, handholds shall have not less than 5 in.
clearance from the hand brake chain throughout the entire range of chain travel. Guards shall
be provided around hand brake shock retarders, if used, that are closer to the handhold than 5
in.

Appendix F3, 5.3.3 

End handholds shall not extend more than 8 in. beyond the striker or end of the center sill.

Appendix F3, 5.3.4 

The end handholds shall be not more than 45 in. above the top of rail.

Appendix F3, 5.3.5   

Manner of Application  

End handholds shall be securely fastened.

Appendix F3, 5.4 

Safety Railings

One transverse safety railing shall be applied at each end of the car adjacent to the end sill. One
safety railing shall be applied at one side of each running board extending from the transverse
end running board to the base of a ladder providing access to the top of the car body.

Appendix F3, 6.1 

Dimensions  

Safety railings shall be of solid steel not less than 1 in. diameter or pipe of 1 1/4 in. nominal
pipe size with Schedule 40 minimum wall thickness. Handhold material shall conform to the
requirements of Standard S-224. Safety railings shall be supported at each end and at a
minimum of two intermediate locations along their horizontal span. The clear length between
any two supports shall be not less than 24 in. Safety railings extending between the inboard
vertical side handhold and the corner of the upper car body shall be supported at their ends
and at intermediate locations as required such that the unsupported span does not exceed 72
in. Minimum clearance of safety railings shall be 2 in., preferably 2 1/2 in.

Appendix F3, 6.2 

Location 

Safety railings shall be oriented horizontally and located such that a vertical plane extending
down from the nearest surface of the railing shall be not more than 4 in. from the adjacent
edge of the transverse end running board, if the car is so equipped.

Appendix F3, 6.3.1 

The height from the top of the safety railings shall be not less than 42 in. nor more than 46 in.
above the car deck or, if the car is so equipped, above the walking surface of the adjacent
running board.

Appendix F3, 6.3.2 

If the safety railings have vertical legs at their ends, the inboard surface of the vertical legs shall
be not more than 8 in. in the transverse direction from the inside surface of the outboard side
handhold. If the end safety railings do not have vertical legs at their ends, the clearance points
at the ends of the safety railings shall be not more than 8 in. in the transverse direction from
the inside surface of the outboard side handhold.

Appendix F3, 6.3.3 

ITEM 

FRA F 6180.161 O (09/20)

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 O

Notes   

Expires xx/xx/xxxx

OMB No. 2130-0565

  US Department of Transportation
   Federal Railroad Administration 
ITEM 
Manner of Application 

Running Boards 

Dimensions  

Location 

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for: S‐2044 Appendix F3 
   Safety Appliances for Cars with Recessed Car Body Ends 

Number ‐ Dimensions ‐ Location ‐ Manner of Application        

Appendix Reference  

End safety railings and their supports shall be securely fastened

Appendix F3, 6.4 

Cars not having full-width flooring between the ends of the car body and the ends of the
underframe shall be equipped with transverse running boards adjacent to the ends of the
underframe. If the car is equipped with ladders and the distance from the outside surface of the
lowest ladder treads to the transverse end running boards exceeds 4 in., additional running
boards shall extend from the transverse end running boards to the base of the ladders.

Appendix F3, 7.1.1 

Cars having full-width metal flooring and no running boards shall be provided with a slipresistant surface on the f looring adjacent to the ends of the underframe and extending from
the ends to the ladders, if applied.

Appendix F3, 7.1.2 

All running boards shall conform to the requirements of Standard S-226.

Appendix F3, 7.2.1 

All running boards shall be not less than 18 in. wide.

Appendix F3, 7.2.2 

Slip-resistant surfaces shall be not less than 18 in. wide.

Appendix F3, 7.2.3 

The gap between the transverse edges of transverse running boards at vertical side handholds
and the nearest surfaces of the vertical handholds or their supports, whichever limits the clear
opening between the vertical handholds or their supports, shall not exceed 4 in.

Appendix F3, 7.3.1 

The gap in the longitudinal direction between the edge of the running board adjacent to a
ladder and the outside surface of the lowest ladder tread shall not exceed 4 in.

Appendix F3, 7.3.2 

The outboard edge of the slip-resistant surface shall be no more than 4 in. from a vertical plane Appendix F3, 7.3.3 
extending down from the inboard surface of the safety railings, and the inboard edge shall be no
more than 4 in. from the facing surface of the inboard vertical handhold or its support,
whichever is closer to the end of the car, for the entire width of the flooring.

Manner of Application  

FRA F 6180.161 O (09/20)

The ends of transverse running boards at locations where access to the ground is provided shall
not be outboard of, and shall be not more than 2 in. inboard from, the outside surface of the
sides of the car directly below the running board ends.

 Appendix F3, 7.3.4 

Running boards shall be securely fastened with not less than 3/8 in. diameter fasteners, except
that running board supports may be welded to closed tube or box sections of car structure.

Appendix F3, 7.4 

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 O

Notes   

Expires xx/xx/xxxx

OMB No. 2130-0565

  US Department of Transportation
   Federal Railroad Administration 

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for: S‐2044 Appendix F3   
   Safety Appliances for Cars with Recessed Car Body Ends  

Number ‐ Dimensions ‐ Location ‐ Manner of Application        

Appendix Reference  

Ladders

Access to the top of the car body may be provided at either or both ends of the car, but is not
required.

Appendix F3, 8.1 

Dimensions  

Ladder treads shall be of steel not less than 3/4 in. diameter and shall conform to the
  Appendix F3, 8.2  
requirements of Standard S-224. Minimum clear length shall be 16 in. Minimum clearance shall
be 2 in., preferably 2 1/2 in. Ladder treads other than those within 4 in. of the underside of the
end top chords shall incorporate foot guards not less than 2 in. high at both ends.

Location 

When applied, the ladders shall be located at either or both ends of the car above the deck or
running board.

Appendix F3, 8.3.1 

The ladder treads shall be oriented horizontally and spaced not more than 19 in. apart. Spacing
between ladder treads shall be uniform within a maximum variation of 2 in.

Appendix F3, 8.3.2 

The highest ladder tread shall be not less than 2 1/2 in. below the underside of the end top
chord and not more than 12 in. below the top of the end top chord.

Appendix F3, 8.3.3 

Spacing from the lowest ladder tread to the walking surface of the adjacent running board, if so
equipped, shall be not more than 19 in. If not equipped with an adjacent running board,
spacing from the lowest ladder tread to the car deck shall be not more than 19 in.

Appendix F3, 8.3.4  

The clearance points of the inboard ends of the ladder treads shall be in vertical alignment in
the transverse direction.

Appendix F3, 8.3.5 

Each ladder tread shall be not more than 3 in. inboard of a plane extending from the lowest to
the highest ladder tread. Each ladder tread shall be not more than 3 1/2 in. inboard or
outboard of the ladder treads immediately above and below it. No ladder tread shall be more
than 3 in. outboard of the lowest ladder tread.

  Appendix F3, 8.3.6 

ITEM 

Manner of Application

Ladders and ladder treads shall be securely fastened.

Appendix F3, 8.4 

Clearance at
End of Car  

No part of the car above the end sill more than 30 in. from the longitudinal centerline of the
car, except the hand brake wheel, hand brake shaft, bell crank, sheave wheel, end running
board, or horizontal end handholds, shall extend beyond the striker or end of the center sill
with the draft gear or cushioning device (if used) at full buff. No other part of the car end or
fixtures on the end above the end sill and less than 84 in. above the car deck or walking surface
of the end running board, if the car is so equipped, other than the exceptions herein noted,
shall extend beyond the outer face of the striker or end of the center sill.

Appendix F3, 9.0 

FRA F 6180.161 O (09/20)

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 O

Notes   

Expires xx/xx/xxxx

OMB No. 2130-0565

US Department of Transportation
Federal Railroad Administration

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for: S-2044 Appendix F3
Safety Appliances for Cars with Recessed Car Body Ends

ITEM

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Appendix Reference

Uncoupling Devices

Uncoupling devices and their application shall conform to MSRP Section S, Part III, Standard
S-129, S-131, S-133, or S-134; or Specification M-961.

S-2044 6.1 (Base Standard)

One uncoupling device shall be applied at the left side of the B end of the car (BL corner) and
one at the right side of the A end of the car (AR corner).

S-2044 6.2

Under all operating conditions, the outside surface of the uncoupling device handles shall be
not more than 12 in. closer to the car center than the inside surface of the adjacent side
handholds.

S-2044 6.3

There shall be not less than 2 in. clearance, preferably 2 ½ in., around the uncoupling device
handles for a length not less than the lowest 4 in. of straight handles and not less than 4 in. in
the grip portion of handles having clearly defined grip portions. The lower ends of the handles
shall be not less than 12 in. nor more than 15 in. below the top surface of the uncoupling
device at the device support and not less than 15 in. above the top of rail.

S-2044 6.4

Uncoupling device mounting brackets shall be securely fastened to the car with fasteners not
less than 5/8 in. diameter.

S-2044 6.5

Stenciling

Car initial, numbers and built date stenciled on the car.

49 CFR Part 215.301

Reflectorization.

Reflectorization must meet all requirements. Attached Drawing

49 CFR Part 224

Coupler Height

Verify coupler height 31½ inch minimum, 34½ inch maximum.

49 CFR Part 231.31(a)(1)

Power Brakes

Except for cars equipped with nominal 12-inch stroke (8 ½ and 10-inch diameters) brake
cylinders, all cars shall have a legible decal, stencil, or sticker affixed to the car or shall be
equipped with a badge plate displaying the permissible brake cylinder piston travel range for
the car at Class I brake tests and the length at which the piston travel renders the brake
ineffective, if different from Class I brake test limits. The decal, stencil, sticker, or badge plate
shall be located so that it may be easily read and understood by a person positioned safely
beside the car.

49 CFR Part 232. 103

FRA F 6180.161 O (09/20)

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 O

Notes

Expires xx/xx/xxxx

OMB No. 2130-0565

US Department of Transportation
Federal Railroad Administration

ITEM

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for: S-2044 Appendix F3
Safety Appliances for Cars with Recessed Car Body Ends

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Appendix Reference

All equipment ordered on or after August 1, 2002, or placed in service for the first
time on or after April 1, 2004, shall have train brake systems designed so that an
inspector can observe from a safe position either the piston travel, an accurate
indicator which shows piston travel, or any other means by which the brake system
is actuated. The design shall not require the inspector to place himself or herself on,
under, or between components of the equipment to observe brake actuation or
release.
SCT

A single car air brake test shall be performed on each new car prior to placing or using
the car in revenue service.

Miscellaneous

Check for any sharp or protruding objects or areas on the equipment that may create a safety concern or personal injury.

49 CFR Part 232.305

Check for potential pinch points at all safety appliance arrangements.
Digital Photos

General Arrangement Photo Sheet ~ No Deviations Noted (six photos minimum, A & B ends, each corner at 45 degree angle)
Deviation Photo Sheet ~ As many photos as necessary to fully depict, document and illustrate deviations
of S-2044 Appendix F3 or CFR Parts (e.g. 215, 224 & 232)

FRA F 6180.161 O (09/20)

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 O

Notes