FRA F 6180.161Q Sample Car Inspection Checklist for S-2044 Appendix H-1:

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 Q (09/20)

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for: S-2044 Appendix H-1
Safety Appliances for Enclosed Vehicle-Carrying Cars and
Vehicle-Carrying Superstructures to Flat Cars

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 lever or 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 counterclockwise direction.

Appendix H1, 2.1.1

The brake wheel of vertical-wheel hand brakes shall have a nominal diameter of 16 in., 18 in., 20
in., or 22 in. The brake wheel shall be of shallow configuration and shall be of steel or other
material of equivalent strength.

Appendix H1, 2.1.2

The hubs of 22 in. hand brake wheels shall be 2 5/8 in. deep with a square tapered fit to the shaft,
and 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 H1, 2.1.3

The attachment of hand brake wheels to the shaft shall be such that only wheels of the same
nominal diameter and depth can be applied. The attachment of brake wheels of 16 in., 18 in., or
20 in. nominal diameter shall provide an equal or greater degree of safety as that required in
paragraph 2.1.3.

Appendix H1, 2.1.4

The hand brake shall be located so 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 on cars
equipped with one hand brake shall be applied on the left side of the car at the B end. The hand
brakes on cars equipped with more than one hand brake shall be located as specified in paragraph
9.0 of the base standard.

Appendix H1, 2.2.1

When the tip of the operating lever of lever hand brakes is swung through its arc of travel, the
closest point of that arc shall be located in the longitudinal direction not less than 4 in. nor more
than 12 in. inboard of the inside surface of the inboard vertical leg of the sill step. In addition, the
closest point of the arc of travel shall be not more than 16 in. inboard of the inboard clearance
point of the side handhold closest to 46 in. above the lowest sill step tread. When in the released
position, the tip of the lever shall be not less than 4 in. above the lowest sill step tread nor more
than 48 in. above the top of rail where car construction permits. Where car construction does not
permit 48 in. hand brake height, the tip of the lever shall be not more than 56 in. above the top of
rail. On cars built prior to January 1, 2017, the tip of the lever shall be not more than 56 in. above
the top of rail when in the released position.

Appendix H1, 2.2.2

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 Q

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 H-1
Safety Appliances for Enclosed Vehicle-Carrying Cars and
Vehicle-Carrying Superstructures to Flat Cars

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Appendix Reference

The center of the hand brake shaft of vertical-wheel hand brakes shall be located in the
longitudinal direction not more than 21 in. from the inside face of the inboard vertical leg of the sill
step 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 61
in. above the top of rail.

Appendix H1, 2.2.3

Clearance around the grip portion of the hand brake operating lever throughout its full range of
travel or 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 full range of travel and any part of the car shall
be not less than 2 1/2 in.

Appendix H1, 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 H1, 2.2.5

The hand brake housing shall be securely fastened. The hand brake mounting bracket may be
welded to the car structure. The hand brake application, including bolt hole pattern, shall conform
to MSRP Section E, Standard S-475.

Appendix H1, 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 H1, 2.3.2

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

Appendix H1, 2.3.3

Sill Steps

There shall be four sill steps. The sill steps specified below shall not be obstructed by end doors in
the closed or open position.

Appendix H1, 3.1

Dimensions

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

Appendix H1, 3.2.1

Manner of
Application

FRA F 6180.161 Q (09/20)

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 Q

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 H-1
Safety Appliances for Enclosed Vehicle-Carrying Cars and
Vehicle-Carrying Superstructures to Flat Cars

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Location

Manner of
Application
Side Handholds

FRA F 6180.161 Q (09/20)

Appendix Reference

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 H1, 3.2.2

Sill step treads shall be spaced not more than 21 in. apart.

Appendix H1, 3.2.3

The clear depth above the entire usable length of all sill step treads shall be not less than 8 in.

Appendix H1, 3.2.4

The minimum clear width of the lowest sill step tread shall taper uniformly from not less than 6
in. at the tread surface to not less than 4 in. at 8 in. above the tread. The clear width so
specified shall apply for both loaded and empty conditions with the trucks rotated to simulate
the maximum curvature specified for the uncoupled car.

Appendix H1, 3.2.5

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 the outboard vertical leg of the sill step
is not more than 2 in. inboard of the outboard clearance point of any side handhold. The inside
face of the inboard vertical leg of the sill step shall be not less than 16 in. from the outboard
clearance point of any horizontal side handhold. These requirements do not apply to additional
handholds applied in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 4.3.4.

Appendix H1, 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 lowest adjacent side handhold. In addition, the
outside edge of any sill step tread shall be not more than 4 in. inboard of any car structure
below the clear length of the lowest adjacent side handhold.

Appendix H1, 3.3.2

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

Appendix H1, 3.3.3

Sill steps shall be securely fastened.

Appendix H1, 3.4

There shall be not less than 16 side handholds, not less than 4 over each sill step. The handholds
specified below shall not be obstructed by end doors in the closed or open position.

Appendix H1, 4.1

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 Q

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 H-1
Safety Appliances for Enclosed Vehicle-Carrying Cars and
Vehicle-Carrying Superstructures to Flat Cars

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Appendix Reference

Dimensions

Handholds shall be of steel not less than 3/4 in. diameter and shall conform to the requirements
of Standard S-224. Except as specified in paragraph 4.3.5, minimum clear length shall be 16 in.
Minimum clearance shall be 2 in., preferably 2 1/2 in.

Appendix H1, 4.2

Location

The side handholds shall be oriented horizontally near each end on each side of the car.

Appendix H1, 4.3.1

Appendix H1, 4.3.2
The lowest handhold shall be located not more than 48 in. above the top of rail and not more
than 21 in. above the highest sill step tread. The handholds shall be spaced not more than 19 in.
apart, with the spacing uniform within a maximum variation of 2 in. The spacing of the highest
handhold to the second highest handhold may vary by more than 2 in. from the spacing between
other side handholds.
The clearance points of the outboard ends of the side handholds shall be in vertical alignment in
the longitudinal direction.

Appendix H1, 4.3.3

The clearance points of the outboard ends of the side handholds shall be located not more than Appendix H1, 4.3.4
40 in. from the inside surface of the nearest end handhold. If the outboard clearance point of the
lowest side handhold at each corner is more than 12 in. from the inside surface of the nearest
end handhold, an additional side handhold conforming to the requirements of paragraph 4.3.5
shall be applied.

Manner of
Application

FRA F 6180.161 Q (09/20)

If additional handholds are applied to conform to the requirements of paragraph 4.3.4, their
outboard clearance points shall be not more than 12 in. from the inside surface of the nearest
end handhold, they shall have clear length not less than 10 in., and shall be not less than 22 in.
and not more than 45 in. above the top of rail. No part of the additional side handholds may
extend beneath the clear length of the other side handholds. The additional handholds may be
obstructed when the doors are open, but shall not be obstructed when the doors are closed.

Appendix H1, 4.3.5

The inside surface of the side handholds adjacent to the hand brake shall be not more than 5 in.
in the transverse direction from the inside surface of the hand brake lever grip.

Appendix H1, 4.3.6

Side handholds shall be securely fastened.

Appendix H1, 4.4

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 Q

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 H-1
Safety Appliances for Enclosed Vehicle-Carrying Cars and
Vehicle-Carrying Superstructures to Flat Cars

Number - Dimensions - Location - Manner of Application

Appendix Reference

End Handholds

There shall be four end handholds.

Appendix H1, 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 H1, 5.2

Location

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

Appendix H1, 5.3.1

The clearance points of the outboard end of the end handholds shall be not more than 18 in. from
the inside surface of the nearest side handhold at its outboard end and in addition shall be not
more than 16 in. from the car structure adjacent to the side handhold.

Appendix H1, 5.3.2

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

Appendix H1, 5.3.3

End handholds shall be securely fastened.

Appendix H1, 5.4

Manner of
Application

FRA F 6180.161 Q (09/20)

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 Q

Notes

Expires xx/xx/xxxx

OMB No. 2130-0565

US Department of Transportation
Federal Railroad Administration

Sample Car Inspection Checklist for: S-2044 Appendix H-1
Safety Appliances for Enclosed Vehicle-Carrying Cars and
Vehicle-Carrying Superstructures to Flat Cars

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 Q (09/20)

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 Q

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 H-1
Safety Appliances for Enclosed Vehicle-Carrying Cars and
Vehicle-Carrying Superstructures to Flat Cars

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 H1 or CFR Parts (e.g. 215, 224 & 232)

FRA F 6180.161 Q (09/20)

OMB No. 2130-0565
FRA F6180.161 Q

Notes